Best setup for external storage that's not NAS or external HDD/SSD?

[dizmonk]

So I purchased a 2tb Mac Studio which I'm really liking. The biggest problem I have right now is that I've got another 2tb of data that I need to permanently store somewhere. Right now it's on an external HDD. I'd rather not keep it there as I don't want to use it the Studio's USB ports.

NAS is too complicated and expensive. SSD doesn't solve the port issue. Does anyone have any ideas or things they use? Thanks.

 

[palmor]

So I purchased a 2tb Mac Studio which I'm really liking. The biggest problem I have right now is that I've got another 2tb of data that I need to permanently store somewhere. Right now it's on an external HDD. I'd rather not keep it there as I don't want to use it the Studio's USB ports.

NAS is too complicated and expensive. SSD doesn't solve the port issue. Does anyone have any ideas or things they use? Thanks.

One potential option is if your internet router has a USB port. A lot of them do these days and you can plug your external drive into it and it will become a network drive.

I think your only other option is some sort of Cloud based storage, Dropbox or something similar.

 

[Kevin Lasko]

So I purchased a 2tb Mac Studio which I'm really liking. The biggest problem I have right now is that I've got another 2tb of data that I need to permanently store somewhere. Right now it's on an external HDD. I'd rather not keep it there as I don't want to use it the Studio's USB ports.

NAS is too complicated and expensive. SSD doesn't solve the port issue. Does anyone have any ideas or things they use? Thanks.

I have been using Synology Disk Stations (low end DS210j and DS-218j models) for Time Machine backups and for archiving files out of my working PCs. Wasn't too hard to set up as there is a lot of help online. The DiskStations are connected to my router via a switch and my Mac's are connected over my Wi-Fi network. One runs Synology's SHR-RAID across 2 drives and the other has 2 non-raid hard drives. While not super fast its adequate for backups (I have restored several times when purchasing new machines or had a HD failure on an older MAC) and for accessing "archived" files that you don't need all the time. The router and NAS boxes are in my bedroom closet so they are out of the way.

Just a solution that works for me. Good Luck.

 

[Fishrrman]

"Right now it's on an external HDD. I'd rather not keep it there as I don't want to use it the Studio's USB ports."

Hmmmm.....
The Studio has 4 USBc/thunderbolt ports on the back, and 2 more on the front, does it not? ALL six of which can handle an external USB drive.

What are the ports THERE for...?
Seems to me that Apple put those ports there "to be used".

So...
Plug in the drive and be happy that you still have 5 more ports available.

 

[coolajami]

everything depends on the frequency you require to access the data, and the read speed you require.
If you require a simple option, a local cloud type of backup may be a solution, like a WD Cloud type My Cloud Home. It would require an ethernet connection and it can have a 2nd external USB drive attached. Fairly simple to install and they would appear as a network drive in the Finder. Speed-wise though is not that great.

 

[lcubed]

buy an bottom end M1 mini and attach the external storage on that.
hang this machine on your network and use it as a file server.

depending on your network, it might be fast enough to satisfy your transfer rate needs.

(fwiw, i'd attach the external storage directly to the studio)

 

[coolajami]

An alternative option (if you need to use the data often and read speed is important) is to buy a powered TB4 hub (NO Bus-Powered) with only TB4 and USB-A ports but they are on the expensive side (but still cheaper than a TB3/TB4 dock).
it would double the numbers of USB-C and USB ports you have and you can add as many external drives as you like without significant compromise in read/write speed. I would suggest checking the Caldigit Element, you get an Extra 4 USB-A 3.2 ports and 4 USB-C/TB4 ports. I have one tandemed to my TB3 dock and works like a charm.

Thunderbolt 4 | USB4 | Element Hub | CalDigit – CalDigit

www.caldigit.com