Backup/external storage advice please!

Chuckstones · Dec 18, 2012, 03:12 AM

As most of you have probably noticed from my previous posts. I'm pretty dumb when it comes to all things pc/mac.

But I think it is about time I bought some sort of backup device for my new imac.
Foolishly I never ever backed up my old pc during 10 years of ownership. But luckily never lost any data either!

I am looking at western digital 'passport' (500gb). But as I have a base 21" model with 1tb drive. Does the back up have to be the same size?(to work with time machine thingy)
The reason I'm asking this is because on my old pc with 500mb HDD I never filled that in all the years I had it!! (Embarrassing I know!)

The other question I have is. I have a refurb AirPort Extreme base station on order as I am having some connectivity problems with my Apple TV mainly!
Should I cancel and go for the apple time capsule instead?
Money is a factor. And I just think the apple time capsule is rather expensive!!

Any advice would be most appreciated. And please excuse my ignorance!!

Ps. Forgot to mention. I would like to get something as soon as poss. As I have an exchange imac on its way to me. And I really don't want to go through the data transfer process again. Found it a bit problematic. And apple must be fed up with me constantly phoning for advice!!

jessica. · Dec 18, 2012, 03:20 AM

I generally like to match my drives so the backup would be 1 TB. Time Machine and an external would be my choice. 500 GB should be fine, but if you can, get 1tb.

I would avoid the time capsule. It's a great idea and easy to use but over priced.

motrek · Dec 18, 2012, 03:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chuckstones

...
I am looking at western digital 'passport' (500gb). But as I have a base 21" model with 1tb drive. Does the back up have to be the same size?(to work with time machine thingy)
The reason I'm asking this is because on my old pc with 500mb HDD I never filled that in all the years I had it!! (Embarrassing I know!)
...

I wouldn't be embarrassed by that at all. 500GB is a phenomenal amount of data and it wasn't even possible for a regular person to store that much data, say, 10 years ago. Personally I can (and do) back up all of my files onto a 320GB external drive and that includes basically every document I've ever created, plus all my vacation photos, backups of all my old computers, all of my music, and a bunch of other stuff.

That being said, the difference between a 500GB external drive and a 1+ terabyte drive should only be around $15-$30 so I would personally just get the bigger drive. Unless you are getting the smaller drive used for a better deal or something.

dryice589 · Dec 18, 2012, 07:59 AM

Just get a 1tb external drive. I would skip the time capsule. Time machine backs up to any external drive just as easily as a time capsule.

I would not even worry about getting USB 3.0 since it sounds like you will primarily be using it for time machine backups. The 3.0 would only benefit initial backup time. All other backups will happen in the background which makes the faster 3.0 not necessary.

Fishrrman · Dec 18, 2012, 09:35 AM

"The reason I'm asking this is because on my old pc with 500mb HDD I never filled that in all the years I had it!!"

Just wondering -- do you still have that old hard drive around?
Do you happen to have -any- extra hard drives around (either "bare" drives or in an external enclosure)?

If so, there are very easy and cheap solutions that can work for you.

If you're interested, I'll elaborate.

Chuckstones · Dec 18, 2012, 10:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fishrrman

"The reason I'm asking this is because on my old pc with 500mb HDD I never filled that in all the years I had it!!"

Just wondering -- do you still have that old hard drive around?
Do you happen to have -any- extra hard drives around (either "bare" drives or in an external enclosure)?

If so, there are very easy and cheap solutions that can work for you.

If you're interested, I'll elaborate.

Thanks Fishrrman.

Yes I still have my old HP tower with hard drive!

Was going to take a boat trip and dump it somewhere in the Irish Sea this weekend!!!

mihai.ile · Dec 18, 2012, 10:40 AM

Don't do that since the fish probably already disappeared from that area to eat it, so it will just stay there rusting for many many years

Chuckstones · Dec 18, 2012, 11:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mihai.ile

Don't do that since the fish probably already disappeared from that area to eat it, so it will just stay there rusting for many many years

Will have to find a old quarry then in the middle of nowhere!!

Dec 18, 2012, 03:12 AM	#1
Chuckstones macrumors regular Join Date: Oct 2012	Backup/external storage advice please! As most of you have probably noticed from my previous posts. I'm pretty dumb when it comes to all things pc/mac. But I think it is about time I bought some sort of backup device for my new imac. Foolishly I never ever backed up my old pc during 10 years of ownership. But luckily never lost any data either! I am looking at western digital 'passport' (500gb). But as I have a base 21" model with 1tb drive. Does the back up have to be the same size?(to work with time machine thingy) The reason I'm asking this is because on my old pc with 500mb HDD I never filled that in all the years I had it!! (Embarrassing I know!) The other question I have is. I have a refurb AirPort Extreme base station on order as I am having some connectivity problems with my Apple TV mainly! Should I cancel and go for the apple time capsule instead? Money is a factor. And I just think the apple time capsule is rather expensive!! Any advice would be most appreciated. And please excuse my ignorance!! Ps. Forgot to mention. I would like to get something as soon as poss. As I have an exchange imac on its way to me. And I really don't want to go through the data transfer process again. Found it a bit problematic. And apple must be fed up with me constantly phoning for advice!!
	0

Dec 18, 2012, 03:20 AM	#2
jessica. macrumors Nehalem Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Wrong girl from the right side of the tracks	I generally like to match my drives so the backup would be 1 TB. Time Machine and an external would be my choice. 500 GB should be fine, but if you can, get 1tb. I would avoid the time capsule. It's a great idea and easy to use but over priced. __________________ Because I'm an ahole.
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Dec 18, 2012, 07:59 AM	#4
dryice589 macrumors member Join Date: Dec 2012	Just get a 1tb external drive. I would skip the time capsule. Time machine backs up to any external drive just as easily as a time capsule. I would not even worry about getting USB 3.0 since it sounds like you will primarily be using it for time machine backups. The 3.0 would only benefit initial backup time. All other backups will happen in the background which makes the faster 3.0 not necessary. __________________ iMac 27 (2012) 3.2Ghz, 16GB, 1TB Fusion, 680MX, Samsung Blu-ray ODD; Mac Mini (2011); iPad 3; iPhone 5
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Dec 18, 2012, 09:35 AM	#5
Fishrrman macrumors 68020 Join Date: Feb 2009	"The reason I'm asking this is because on my old pc with 500mb HDD I never filled that in all the years I had it!!" Just wondering -- do you still have that old hard drive around? Do you happen to have -any- extra hard drives around (either "bare" drives or in an external enclosure)? If so, there are very easy and cheap solutions that can work for you. If you're interested, I'll elaborate.
	0

Dec 18, 2012, 10:40 AM	#7
mihai.ile macrumors member Join Date: Oct 2012	Don't do that since the fish probably already disappeared from that area to eat it, so it will just stay there rusting for many many years
	0