Back up HD and External Storage

Hi everyone..I am sure you will see lots of posts from me! Switching over to mac from the windows world! I got a mac air about a month ago and am working on my specs for my imac when it comes out.

I did search the forums and even saw a recent thread on external drives/ 2.0 vs thunderbolt, but I didn't want to hijack his thread since I have some basic questions too.

My setup will be the imac will be my main computer 90% of the time.
The air will be for travel / sitting on the couch etc.
The air will also be another users main pc but she does not use it that much.

So - first I know I want to back up my air and iMac..when I have it.
1. Can you explain the difference in "time capsule hardware" vs just another external hard drive? (the time capsule appears to be much more expensive then an external drive)
2. And when determinig space - do you match what you have in your actual air/mac?
3. Will I need one for each device. air and iMac?


Then I figure I need to determine if I want to use my imac as the main storage for data/pics/video. Or just store externally. Seems better to store externally since you don't get to them that much.
- does that back up - back up external devices too tho?

External devices - can you use any - sometimes I ready specific MAC external drives. does that usually just mean it has a Thunderbolt connection.

Trying to look at black friday sales coming up to help with setting up my new system but want to make sure I am looking for the right things:
- do they have to say Mac compatible.
- i know the connection matters for speed - so either Thunderbolt, or i can get an adapter like this I think : http://www.staples.com/Seagate-GoFlex-Portable-Thunderbolt-Adapter-STAE121/product_786137

External Drives I see:
Seagate FreeAgent GoFlex 3TB Wireless Hard Drive at Staples - $129.99 - could not find a link for this one.

Best Buy seagate http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Seagate+-+Backup+Plus+3TB+External+USB+3.0+Hard+Drive/5597959.p?id=1218671137972&skuId=5597959&AID=10474050&PID=2187655&SID=ebs4d6d820951650a8e27f1815d431271867529369269sbe&URL=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.bestbuy.com%2Fsite%2FSeagate%2B-%2BBackup%2BPlus%2B3TB%2BExternal%2BUSB%2B3.0%2BHard%2BDrive%2F5597959.p%3Fid%3D1218671137972%26amp%3BskuId%3D5597959&ref=39&CJPID=2187655&loc=01


I hope this wasn't too confusing. Basically just wanting to make sure I am ready!
- back ups (time capsule or other external and how big and for 1 or both air and iMac)
- what to look for when purchasing (does it have to say Mac or does that just mean thunderbolt)
etc.

Thanks for your help!!!

Weaselboy said:

Congrats on the new Air. Those are nice machines.

1. The Time Capsule is Apple branded wireless router with a hard drive built n for storage/backup. Time Machine is the backup software built in to every new Mac. If you want to do network backups of your machines, the Time Capsule is the only solution supported by Apple. Many users run a normal hard drive attached to an Airport Extreme router from Apple, but it is not supported and many report is is not reliable. If you want to spend even more money, you can by a network storage device (NAS) from vendors like Synology.

2. When determining storage space you will need to look at how much space is used in each computer now, then add for how much data you think you will be adding in the future in photos/music etc. Time Machine keeps "versions" of files, so the larger your storage space the more versions it has room to store. A good rough number to start with would be 1.5 times the total data you now have. I don't mean 1.5 times drive size, I mean actual data.

3. You can use one external drive (either in a Time Capsule or attached with USB back and forth) for multiple machines. Time Machine will keep the backups separate in the one drive.

There is really nothing special about "Mac" drives other than vendors preformat the drive for a Mac to save you the trouble. Just buy whatever drive interface you want (Thunderbolt/USB whatever) and attach it then format to Mac OS Extended in Disk Utility and you are good to go. No need to pay extra for a "Mac" drive.

You can store your iPhoto library on the Time Capsule drive if you want, but then it is not getting backed up anywhere. I would store everything on the iMac and just share it to the other machines over the network from the iMac. Much simpler and it gets backed up.

Click to expand...

Thanks weasel boy!

I don't need to spend more money on sinology! Two macs is enough...
But it sounds like I should get a time capsule no matter what for backups! just need to figure out what size..and they look about the same price (within 10.00 to 20.00 dollars out there right now). I am already using in pictures 1.5 TB....
so that would means the two won't be big enough. UGH...the cost is unbelievable for a 3TB. 500.00.

So when you are describing the network backup..you just mean backing up multiple pc's right?

pommie82 said:

i use a western digital drive to back things with time machine not fast but good enough and i use my western digital drive to watch Tv Series and Movies on my iPad so it comes a versatile product for me have a look they are good devices i have had mine for two years now and never had a problem with mine works a charm

They are very easy to set up you could have it up and running in under 5 mins it just simple 2 leads in that it pretty much the mac picks it up straight away and then you just back up your machine down done just wake for it to be done then it.

Click to expand...

Pommie - so you use the WD the software just recognizes that instead of time capsule right?

also do you mean the WD has something special to be able to watch movies etc

gc916 said:

bgsnmky,

As mentioned in an earlier post, another option for you might be a NAS (Network Attached Storage device.) I am using a Western Digital MyBook Live Duo to backup by MacBook Pro with Time Machine. It is attached to my wireless router, so the Mac backs up automatically via my wireless network.

I also use the Sonos music system, and all my music files are on the NAS. The Sonos system accesses those files wirelessly, as well.

The WD MyBook Live Duo is available with 4TB or 6TB storage capacity, with 2 separate drives in the device, and both can be configured to use RAID1, which means that one drive is "mirrored" to the second, providing a backup of all data. If the first drive fails, it can be easily replaced, and the data will be copied to the replacement drive. So with a 6TB unit, you would have space for 3TB of data on the first drive, backed up automatically to the second drive.

There are other benefits to the WD unit, including remote access to all your files via a free program called WD2go.

These drives aren't inexpensive, but it might be a long-term solution for your needs.

Good luck with your decision.

Click to expand...

Thanks...so getting the 6TB - do you have the 3TB side for storage - like pictures etc..and then you set up the other 3TB to be the back up. and it can back up the 3tB side with pics as well as other items on my imac and the air.

Is it easy to set up! meaning for a non tech person.

Even tho I am not a nontech person....I like knowing how things work. I am guessing this storage is different as there must be software in it that connects to the cloud etc and that is why you also can get to the files on the drive. would this also be a place if I had an excel spreadsheet or something that I wanted someone else to get to - they can if they had my password etc.

I am sure I will call WD and talk to a sales person..but just checking.

And is this where you would purchase it..have you ever seen on sale.
(I will hold off on purchasing black friday as I will probably go with one of these or the timecapsule).