Best Way To Set Up Multiple Macs?

[macbeliever]

Hey Yall...

What is the best way to make sure all my business files are available on 2 Macs at once in real-ish time? (plus accessible on my iPad Pro)

I'm a real estate broker with thousands of files of properties. I need to access all of the files form my Studio, Macbook Pro & iPad pro.

It's well under 500GB of files.

Should I store it all on the Studio or external connected to the Studio and enable the iCloud Desktop/Documents folder? (i hve the 2 TB plan for iCloud)?

I'd prefer not to use a 3rd party app.

 

[Dave Braine]

I've not used it, but this might be your answer:

Use Handoff to continue tasks on your other devices – Apple Support (UK)

With Handoff, you can start working on one device, then switch to another nearby device and pick up where you left off.

support.apple.com

 

[chabig]

I recommend enabling iCloud Desktop & Documents. All of your files will be available and synced on all of your devices automatically.

 

[FreakinEurekan]

I second iCloud. Ensures accessibility on all Macs and iPad, and iPhone for that matter, and doesn’t require you to be on the network (helpful for real estate).

 

[960design]

What is the best way to make sure all my business files are available on 2 Macs at once in real-ish time? (plus accessible on my iPad Pro)

Should I store it all on the Studio or external connected to the Studio and enable the iCloud Desktop/Documents folder? (i hve the 2 TB plan for iCloud)?

I have multiple MacBookPros, an iMac, Mac Mini, iPad 11, Asus G14 (Windows), Asus Zenbook Pro Duo 15 ( Windows ), a beastly AMD 7900X / 4090 custom build (Windows) and use iCloud to share documents between them all.

I create additional folders within the iCloud Drive: Finder > Command + N ( to open new finder window ) > iCloud > File > New Folder

You can even access your files from your grandmother's laptop. Just open a browser and log into iCloud.com: view or download what you wish. Easy peasy.

 

[ian87w]

Yeah, using the cloud (iCloud is one option) is the easiest way.
The other (old) alternative is to create your own file server, which requires you to have an always on computer at home and fumbles around with your router/ISP modem.

 

[macbeliever]

Thanks all for your replies.

Seems like iCloud is by far the simplest method.

Hoping someone has encountered this situation in the past as I'm a bit confused.

Currently, my MBP has all of my files on it's hard drive. I have all files on my MBP in my iCloud Drive.

I'd like to move all of those files to my Mac Studio and add them to the iCloud drive from the Studio and essentially delete them from my MBP local hard drive.

I confused on how the settings should be arranged on each machine.

Can anyone help me gain some clarity?

 

[960design]

I'd like to move all of those files to my Mac Studio and add them to the iCloud drive from the Studio and essentially delete them from my MBP local hard drive.

Step 0: Ensure Studio is connected to WiFi and has access to the internet.
Step 1: Sign into Studio using same iCloud account as on the MBP.
Step 2: Sync starts with default settings. If you have changed things around, unchange them. Grab a coffee, depending on how fast your internet speed is, it may take a few hours for everything to sync up.

PS. You stated: "I have all files on my MBP in my iCloud Drive." You could literally throw your MBP into the ocean and still get your files back. They are currently stored on Apple Servers. Delta changes get pushed if you modify a file, newly created files get uploaded as internet allows ( typically pretty quickly, unless you are like someone I know that somehow created a 23GB pdf... that may take an hour or so ).

 

[macbeliever]

Amazing response @960design

Much gratitude!