Does anybody here use an external drive without a power cord for their Time Machine?

[Kurrgo]

I'm thinking about getting a WD drive to perform my Time Machine backups and I'm wondering if it's ok to use one that is powered via the USB. I don't want to damage or burn anything out having it permanently connected and am wondering if somebody can shed some light.

Thanks!

 

[sjinsjca]

Sure. One or two should be fine. For more (I have five, to provide my family with duplicative backups), use a good-quality powered hub.

 

[Kurrgo]

Sure. One or two should be fine. For more (I have five, to provide my family with duplicative backups), use a good-quality powered hub.

So you have a couple of USB powered and the additional are powered backups that are always on?

 

[sjinsjca]

No, in my case all are currently connected via the hub. But once I had two connected directly.

 

[maf2k8]

I have 2 external WD USB3 drives connected to my new 27" iMac. One is used as a TM backup and the other as a extra storage drive for music/photos/movies ( since my iMac only has a 512ssd ) and i have no issues.

What issues are you worried about if i may ask?

 

[Kurrgo]

I have 2 external WD USB3 drives connected to my new 27" iMac. One is used as a TM backup and the other as a extra storage drive for music/photos/movies ( since my iMac only has a 512ssd ) and i have no issues.

What issues are you worried about if i may ask?

I wasn't sure if keeping a drive that is powered by usb would wear out of damage the Mac. I wouldn't be plugging in the drive but allowing the Mac to power the drive.

 

[Darklevel]

I use a bus powered WD drive for my time machine, been running since June 2013 and i have had no problems.

 

[infantrytrophy]

Yes, both my iMac and my wife's iMac have USB-powered external drives used for Time Macine backups. Both are WD Passport drives bought at Costco. No problems, both have worked well for many months.

 

[SteelBlueTJ]

I use a WD USB3 1TB bus powered "portable" drive for my time machine backups on my iMac. I don't leave it connected all the time since I don't see the need to run constant backups. I plug it in about every 10 days or so when I get the pop up notification saying "no backups for 10 days." Works good enough for my needs.

 

[sjinsjca]

One is used as a TM backup

That's not enough. Drives fail. Have a duplicative backup strategy with, at a minimum, two backup drives that back up alternately. Ideally you'd have a remote or cloud-based backup also.

 

[koulmj]

That's not enough. Drives fail. Have a duplicative backup strategy with, at a minimum, two backup drives that back up alternately. Ideally you'd have a remote or cloud-based backup also.

I love when people recommend this, it reminds me that there's no data on my machine worth the price of another drive...god I need a life,