Can an Airport Time Capsule (7.9.1) provide reliable wifi connectivity for a 2024 MacBook Air M3?

Yes. But set up the Airport TC so that it uses:

• WPA2 Personal security (do not use WPA/WPA2 Personal or any option that includes WPA)
• Both 2.4GHz & 5GHz bands
• Automatic channel selection unless you understand how & why to select specific channels

Yes, but the wifi speed will be relatively slow (Wifi Generation 4 / 802.11n). If it is really just for web browsing or light streaming you should be OK.

Do keep in mind that a 2015 device may be "still going strong" but that can change quickly. I wouldn't necessarily trust it for Time Machine backups, for example.

Yes. Mine are all working perfectly ok. 800 - 1000 Mbps a room or two away. 4k video streaming works fine. Don't know about gaming.

Consider getting WiFi Explorer app, or a similar app.

This to see what’s going one because — from experience — that TC and its tricolor LED can be less than insightful.

And it provides a view into the local operations of your network, and other nearby networks.

That app is also how I found out the local TCs were dropping out Wi-Fi for 10 to 15 seconds, without showing any yellow LED errors. Which is also why I mention it here. Some TCs can be flaky.

I'm coming in a bit late in the game here, but I thought I'd add from my experience.

I have been using the Time Capsule (TC) since their very first models appeared. When Apple decided to get out of the wireless router business, I started to explore other options for a direct replacement for the TC. Sadly, there isn't any, at least, not an exact match to include an internal drive.

What I found is that I had two basic options:

1. What works best for backups.
2. What works well for backups and best for being a wireless router.

The former is a NAS. Like others here, I settled on a Synology NAS and it has been near flawless for Time Machine (TM). The only hiccup was when the backups stopped working and the resolution was to update the operating system on the NAS. I have been using this solution since 2016.

For the latter, I have tried both routers from Asus & Synology (yes, they offer routers as well). Both routers support adding an external USB drive to be used for TM.

In the long run, I decided to exit the Apple networking ecosystem entirely and migrated over to the Ubiquiti UniFi system instead, replacing my aging Apple networking hardware one piece at a time. I have been running in this new configuration for over 6 years now without issue. My NAS is still included with this setup, but my TC now sits on the shelf as a "museum piece."

John Galt wrote:

You’re buying decade-old or older gear, long unsupported, ...

I'm sure you are aware that the most recent AirPort models remain fully supported. Those are the ones I'd advocate looking for.

AirPort and Time Capsule Wi-Fi gear are all considered obsolete:

Obtaining service for your Apple product after an expired warranty - Apple Support

Your experience with Synology and Time Capsule, and mine, do differ.

Two things go wrong with them.

The discs die, but all discs die. It's not hard to replace the disc; this clumsy fool did it with no problems.

The power supply dies. Not happened to me yet, but spares are available on eBay and I don't think it would be difficult to swap out or maybe even repair. I'll certainly have a go once all four of the ones I've got die.

In both cases the hardest part is dealing with tiny, delicate connectors but if you break them then you can still bodge something in if you're desparate.

BTW - I've still got the first one I bought about 15 years ago and it still works.

My thoughts are that if or when it should ever become necessary to upgrade all my networking infrastructure in the multiple locations in which they are installed, Ubiquiti would be among the first alternatives I would investigate.

Tech progresses at a rapid pace though, and who knows what options may be available at that future date. Since I am reluctant to be a first adopter of anything, I would rely upon reports of success from those whose backup requirements are similar to mine — which come down to ease of use, reliability, and idiot-proof-ness. I'd probably conduct a site visit also.

As for right now though, considering your original question was whether you can continue to use your existing equipment, you certainly can.

I think it's a great idea.

Or would you rather opt for another device considering that the Airport TC is dated and no longer supported?

I wish that I could recommend a comparable product, but I just don't know of anything that was as good or as trouble-free as the Apple's Time Capsule and wireless networking line of products in general. Nothing is or was as easy to set up and use, and nothing is as reliable with Time Machine. Their inexplicable decision to discontinue that entire product line remains a mystery. I surmise that unless Apple can sell millions and millions of something, they're just not interested.

You’re buying decade-old or older gear, long unsupported, ...

I'm sure you are aware that the most recent AirPort models remain fully supported. Those are the ones I'd advocate looking for.

I would not be averse to buying used ones either. Lots of people part with them for no other reason that "they're old." You can tell those sellers are not particularly knowledgeable when they never changed device passwords from the defaults, or their backups were completely unencrypted 😳

If the TCs cease to function or become unsupported I would strongly consider Ubiquiti though. I seem to recall the company was founded by former Apple engineers.

You're probably also aware of my previous failed attempts to use a Synology NAS with Time Machine — a miserable experience I would not wish upon anyone.

MrHoffman wrote:

John Galt wrote:

You’re buying decade-old or older gear, long unsupported, ...

I'm sure you are aware that the most recent AirPort models remain fully supported. Those are the ones I'd advocate looking for.

AirPort and Time Capsule Wi-Fi gear are all considered obsolete:

Obtaining service for your Apple product after an expired warranty - Apple Support

Not correct. Only the 802.11n models are considered obsolete:

• Time Capsule 802.11n (1st generation)
• Time Capsule 802.11n (2nd generation)
• Time Capsule 802.11n (3rd generation)
• Time Capsule 802.11n (4th Gen)

All the most recent models remain fully supported. Same goes for the AEBS models. Even the most recent Express model remains fully supported. It's not even "vintage".

Sure, but OP already has one 😄

You're welcome. Since you added information regarding backups, you might also consider adding one or more external USB hard disk drives to the Time Capsule, and adding them to Time Machine.

I am using Time Capsules as old as the original "flat" models. None of them have ever failed, but as you wrote anything can fail at any time. That's one reason for advocating additional, redundant backup drives. Time Machine can back up to as many as you wish to provide.

Assuming they don't have their own power supplies, more than one should be using a powered USB hub though, due to the power limitations of any USB port.