Best option for Time Machine

[sultanoflondon]

Hi all,

I was wondering what the best option for backing up a MacBook is? I mean, it is inconvenient to have an external HDD connected to the MacBook at all times, especially as I use the Mac on the go. I do not really have access to a NAS system, so I can't use that either.

Can I work right out of Google Drive? For example, can I simply use that as my internal HDD for all my content? I am unsure as to whether Google Drive would be able to hold all my media, music and documents though.

Can anyone think of a better alternative to any of those mentioned above?

Thank you!

 

[Weaselboy]

Things like Google Drive and Dropbox and more sync services and not really good for backups.

You really should have some sort of dedicated backup setup.

Your Mac includes Time Machine backup software than will backup everything to an external drive. Even if you don't have it attached all the time, it will remember what needs to be backed up and handle that for you when you do attach an external drive, even if that is once a week when you are home.

There are online backup services like Crashplan and BackBlaze you could use.

I do both a Time Machine backup to a hard drive and also an online backup using the application Arq to backup to Amazon's servers. You can get an Amazon Cloud Drive account for $60 a year with unlimited online backups and use Arq to backup to that. Arq by default will backup your entire users folder.

 

[ryanwarsaw]

I bit the bullet and bought a time capsule. Not the cheapest solution but is one of the easier ways to do it.

 

[cyclingplatypus]

Do you have an .11ac airport extreme? You can attach a drive to it and use it for tm but you have to prepare it for use on the mac.

https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT202784

 

[redman042]

I have an external drive hooked up to my Netgear AC1750 Smart Wifi Router, and it works fine, though I have had a few hiccups most likely related to the Netgear (drive going offline, Time Machine backup failing integrity check and a new backup needing to be written, and sometimes slow performance). All of these were subsequently resolved and I'm guessing they are primarily signal issues since my Mac is upstairs and the router downstairs.

 

[fisherking]

i've taken to using crashplan as my main backup; it runs in the background, i never have to think about it (and i get regular emails confirming the backup). the best part is... i am backing up when at a coffeebar, out working, or travelling (of course, as long as there' wifi). once a week or so, i back up to an external drive (with carbon copy cloner) as well. but i love the mobility, not depending on an external drive.