Best Wireless Mac Backup Drives

There's distinct advantages to purchasing an Apple Time Capsule as your centralized backup source: Excellent integration with OSX Lion and Leopard Time-Machine backup software, a straightforward Setup Assistant, Apple technical support, and broad documentation.

While 3rd party network attached drive solutions may prove to be just as reliable and simple to access - many simply prefer the Apple Way of doing things. For many though, getting a new Apple TimeCapsule may mean replacing an existing Apple AirPort Extreme Base Station and external USB backup drive they may already have to consolidate these features into one. For those with a modern square AirPort Extreme model and an existing USB drive, Apple's AirPort Disk functionality can also function as a wireless, 2-piece remote backup solution.

Mac Wireless Network Drives With AFP Support

AFP - Apple Filing Protocol is a MUST HAVE feature of any Mac network drive solution. AFP properly handles long or unusual filenames and characters that Apple users may have used naming files, and it's important that your wireless NAS Mac backup device can handle these properly, especially in a cross-platform network backup enviroment. Check the technical specifications to insure AFP is one (of several) supported file protocols for reliable OSX TimeMachine backup.

Convert A USB Drive Into Network Storage

Ipevo delivers a compact, simple gadget to turn ANY existing external USB backup drive into centralized Ethernet connected PC and Mac compatible NAS storage at a low price - around $60. Enjoy remote Mac backup from your MacBook or desktop through your current router's Ethernet port.

Ipevo Mini Network Storage Adapter

Mac, PC and Linux Compatible

Even more versatile - Iomega's drive converter supports both wired Gigabit Ethernet as well as Wireless connectivity:

Iomega EZ Media Backup

Complete Content Sharing

Simply connect Iomega's EZ-Media drive to your wireless network router or AirPort via it's ethernet port. Centralize your movies, photos and stream iTunes music files to use as a Media Server for your Mac, iOS gadget or Android device, and as your remote TimeMachine backup volume.

Mac Compatible NAS From Western Digital

One of the more elegant 3rd party network backup solutions - designed with iTunes Server support and other features with Apple computer users in mind - is the cross-platform NAS drive from WD:

Western Digital My Book World Edition Drive

1TB, 1.5TB, 2TB Options

Iomega Home Media Network Drive For Mac

Another option to rival Apple's Time-Capsule:

Iomega Home Media 1 TB Network Disk

Buffalo NAS Mac Drives

Buffalo LinkStation NAS



Buffalo Technologies has a long track record of good Mac product support. It offers several Apple compatible network backup drive options for Mac and iOS users in it's LinkStation product line - at very affordable price points.