Carbon Copy Cloner or Time Machine

[jrm27]

Hello all,

After a recent hard drive failure, I've realized that I really really need to address my back-up procedures. It seems that CCC or time machine are the preferred methods around here. Anyone here have an argument for using one over the other? Thanks!

-jon

 

[miles01110]

Neither is better than the other. If you want a no-hassle backup TM is probably the way to go. If you want more control and want a bootable backup, go with CCC.

 

[MacDawg]

I use both... for different reasons

Time Machine is great for just going back and getting things in the past
But CCC is a bootable clone that gets you running immediately

I let TM run
I have CCC set to clone every night

 

[GGJstudios]

If you want more information, here are just a few of many threads on this topic, found by searching the forum with MRoogle:

Time Machine or Carbon Copy Cloner alternative?
Carbon Copy Cloner VS Time Machine
fresh install: carbon copy cloner or time machine ?
Time Machine & Carbon Copy Cloner Questions
Time Machine + Carbon Copy Cloner
Time Machine & Carbon Copy Cloner Questions
Carbon Copy Cloner, Super Duper, Time Machine

 

[Tumbleweed666]

I use both and an off site backup.

 

[MacTribe]

Or you can try using something else, like crashplan which works brilliant for me.

Personal choice obviously!

 

[Apple OC]

as others have said ... they have different uses.

I like to have both

 

[MacTribe]

Me too..

You can never have tooooo many backups..

 

[gumbyx84]

Related question

I have a question related to this. I recently got my system back up and running after a OS failure (couldn't boot into OS after reinstalling Snow Leopard, per the recommendation of an Apple Genius). I plan on doing a CCC backup once a month (maybe ever other), but would like to keep a TM backup so I can easily grab my files if I need them (ex. Firefox crashes and I lose all my open tabs). Can a TM and CCC backup co-exist on the same drive? I know this probably isn't a good idea, but ATM all I have is a 500GB Firewire 800 external. I plan on getting another one for CCC backups, but I'm short on cash and cannot afford it right now.