Best Backup Solution for Light Mac User

[Cobbler82]

Hi All,

I have a big question and would really appreciate your advice. I'm helping a relative in his 80s transition from a PC to a Mac, and so far, he’s really enjoying the experience.

Now we’re looking into how best to handle file backups. On his PC, he used Carbonite, but I’m not familiar with it and was wondering if it might be better to switch to a different solution. I thought of using iCloud, or perhaps a local backup to avoid ongoing subscription costs.

For local backups, I was considering two hardware options for his 24” iMac (2021/2023/2024):

1. PULWTOP USB-C Hub Adapter for iMac – a neat base-style hub that looks great and integrates well with the iMac's design.
2. Satechi USB-C Slim Dock for iMac with Tool-Free Enclosure for M.2 PCIe – a more premium option from a reputable brand, but it’s bulkier and pricier.

I started reading reviews and found mixed feedback for both. Some users report issues like overheating or connected drives randomly disconnecting, especially when used with Time Machine.

At the moment, he doesn’t have a lot of data – mostly documents, music, and photos – and he’s planning to keep everything organized in the Mac’s Documents folder (including photos, which won’t be synced with the Photos app).

Would anyone here be kind enough to share advice or experience on:

• Whether switching from Carbonite to iCloud or Time Machine is a good idea,
• Whether either of the above USB hubs is reliable for backup use,
• Or if there’s a better overall backup strategy for a low-data user who wants something simple and reliable?

Thanks in advance!

 

[Bigwaff]

Carbonite works on Mac.

https://support.carbonite.com/browse/personal/mac

Time Machine is a back up solution, iCloud is not.

 

[gregmac19]

If all you want to do is backup the Documents folder, then you can do it inexpensively with IDrive Mini (https://www.idrive.com/idrive/signup/signupMini).

You can find plenty of good advice about backups in this thread: https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/what-do-you-use-for-both-on-site-and-off-site-backups.2376059/

 

[Nguyen Duc Hieu]

Hi All,

I have a big question and would really appreciate your advice. I'm helping a relative in his 80s transition from a PC to a Mac, and so far, he’s really enjoying the experience.

Now we’re looking into how best to handle file backups. On his PC, he used Carbonite, but I’m not familiar with it and was wondering if it might be better to switch to a different solution. I thought of using iCloud, or perhaps a local backup to avoid ongoing subscription costs.

For local backups, I was considering two hardware options for his 24” iMac (2021/2023/2024):

1. PULWTOP USB-C Hub Adapter for iMac – a neat base-style hub that looks great and integrates well with the iMac's design.
2. Satechi USB-C Slim Dock for iMac with Tool-Free Enclosure for M.2 PCIe – a more premium option from a reputable brand, but it’s bulkier and pricier.

I started reading reviews and found mixed feedback for both. Some users report issues like overheating or connected drives randomly disconnecting, especially when used with Time Machine.

At the moment, he doesn’t have a lot of data – mostly documents, music, and photos – and he’s planning to keep everything organized in the Mac’s Documents folder (including photos, which won’t be synced with the Photos app).

Would anyone here be kind enough to share advice or experience on:

• Whether switching from Carbonite to iCloud or Time Machine is a good idea,
• Whether either of the above USB hubs is reliable for backup use,
• Or if there’s a better overall backup strategy for a low-data user who wants something simple and reliable?

Thanks in advance!

I know nothing about Carbonite. I just Google for the below links.

https://support.carbonite.com/articles/Personal-Pro-Windows-Mac-Restoring-Between-Mac-and-PC

For the file transferring,
Option 1: Use external devices (USB/thunderbolt enclosure etc.)
1. Copy from Windows PC to external disk (formatted in NTFS)
2. Plug external disk to Mac PC, copy all files (just copy the whole well-organized Document folder) to Mac PC.
3. Reformat the external disk to APFS and use as periodical backup of the data only.
I think Time Machine major purpose is to back-up and restore the whole disk, convenient to move to new PC, or when the PC in use broke down (OS or hardware). It's not quite useful when the user has been well organized.

Option 2: Use Carbonite (consider the subscription cost)
1. Purchase suitable Carbonite plan
2. Copy all files in Windows PC to Carbonite cloud
3. Install Carbonite to Mac
4. Download/sync all files from Carbonite Cloud to Mac.

Option 3: (no external device)
Set the Document folder on Windows PC as a shared folder
Access from the Mac, transfer all files to the Mac.
Still keep the shared folder on Windows PC as a regular back-up for data only.

Option 4: Use Icloud (consider the subscription cost)
1. Purchase suitable Icloud plan
2. Install Icloud to Windows PC
3. Copy all files in Windows PC to Icloud
4. Sync the files from Icloud to Macs local folders.

 

[Steve121178]

Just go with Time Machine & any external disk. Works natively and is reliable.

I'd also make a third copy which you can backup periodically & keep offsite.

 

[ignatius345]

Just go with Time Machine & any external disk. Works natively and is reliable.

I'd also make a third copy which you can backup periodically & keep offsite.

100% agree. Rotate two disks and keep one offsite. Time Machine works with APFS, which works much better on SSDs than spinning hard drives.

IMO the hub-type things you're researching seem like overkill. Depending on the size of the data set, I'd say just buy two SSDs from known brands (don't have to be the very fastest) and swap them out once a month or so.

 

[Fishrrman]

Best backup solution?

Get an external USB SSD (such as the Crucial X9).

Get either CarbonCopyCloner or SuperDuper.

Like Butch said to Sundance about the baggage car safe:
"That oughta do it"...

 

[Cobbler82]

Thank you all- incredibly useful feedback! I took my sweet time to respond, but I wanted to explain everything to my relative and go through all the different options. We ended up working little by little to move all his files from the PC to the Mac........ it took forever, but we managed. There were quite a few things that hadn’t been properly categorized, which added to the fun!!!

In any case, the PC will soon be retired, and we’ve decided that for the iMac a local solution with an external drive is the way to go. Time Machine seems to do a great job and will most likely be the final choice.

Thanks again to everyone who took the time to respond - having this community is definitely one of the perks of being a Mac user! Wishing you all a great weekend.