How do you manage your data

[JamesMay82]

My MacBook Pro has a 2TB drive where my core computing life is. It backs up via Time Machine to a 4TB SSD connected to a Mac mini server and also backs up via Carbon Copy Cloner to a 4TB T9 SSD mounted to the back of my display.

My media library (Plex and iTunes) and archived files are saved to two 8TB SSDs connected to that Mac mini server. These are mirrored to two more 8TB SSDs via CCC.

Lastly, both the MacBook Pro and the two 8TB server drives (not the additional two redundant ones) are backed up via Backblaze.

impressive and expensive. if you were buying the SSD in todays world.

 

[whitestar27]

I just built a NAS last month. NAS drive prices have doubled in less than 6 months here so I ended up with half the storage space I would have had if I'd gotten off my backside and built it a year ago like I originally planned.

 

[Traverse]

impressive and expensive. if you were buying the SSD in todays world.

Luckily I snagged the 8TB SSDs over the past few years. 5-ish years ago you could find the Samsung QVO 8TB SATA drives for as low as $329. They're not very fast - but are faster and quieter than 5400 RPM drives and more than enough for media streaming.

The 4TB T9 I bought in 2024 just before things start going south. I honestly don't know what I'd do today.

 

[Apple_Robert]

Use an app called Parachute backup to completely backup my iCloud files. That way, I always have access to my important files should something go wrong with iCloud access.

Parachute Backup – Seamless Backup for iCloud

Parachute automatically backs up your iCloud Photos and iCloud Drive to your own storage.

parachuteapps.com

 

[NeonNights]

I just built a NAS last month. NAS drive prices have doubled in less than 6 months here so I ended up with half the storage space I would have had if I'd gotten off my backside and built it a year ago like I originally planned.

That's no exaggeration! I was considering expanding my backup NAS but prices of 16TB drives are insanely expensive compared to last year. Yeesh. It would actually be cheaper for me to buy another NAS with more bays and re-use the collection of 4TB drives I have laying around.