I've long fancied buying the new MacBook, but one of my main concerns is data storage and backup. At the moment I'm using a Windows desktop with a 2TB internal HDD and a 2TB external drive. Given the fact, that I'm going to need at least 2TB of storage and a backup of 2TB, how am I going to handle this with the new MacBook?
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How to deal with data storage and backup?
- Thread starter daanodinot
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www.synology.com - synology system for Back.
Constantly carry a external around with you.
-There is no way you'll filled up 512 on just software so the external would carry all your "data" files and use the SSD as aboot and software drive.
Also make sure you back up the raid in the synology for 3 step redundancy.
I should mention this is not designed to replace you windows Desktop.
Constantly carry a external around with you.
-There is no way you'll filled up 512 on just software so the external would carry all your "data" files and use the SSD as aboot and software drive.
Also make sure you back up the raid in the synology for 3 step redundancy.
I should mention this is not designed to replace you windows Desktop.
I don't think this is particularly a question about the Macbook, which is available with up to 512GB which is more than most laptops today are configured with. When using a mobile device you need to make a selection of what you want to bring along - generally you don't need everything. Put what you can in the cloud, or set up a home device to make it available, and copy a selection to the device locally when out and about. If you have to have everything, it's going to mean carrying an external drive with you whether you choose the rMB or a maxed-out 15" Pro.
To be clear: the data storage only relates to home usage. On the go, I don't really need it. The external drive stays on my desk.
I happen to have a Synology NAS as well, so now I'm thinking that I could connect the external drive for local storage, and then backup to the Synology NAS using Time Machine (I believe Synology offers Time Machine). I have the Synology set to RAID 0 btw, because otherwise the storage just gets to expensive. In the future I might consider buying a second Synology for off-site backup. What do you think?
I happen to have a Synology NAS as well, so now I'm thinking that I could connect the external drive for local storage, and then backup to the Synology NAS using Time Machine (I believe Synology offers Time Machine). I have the Synology set to RAID 0 btw, because otherwise the storage just gets to expensive. In the future I might consider buying a second Synology for off-site backup. What do you think?
A lot differently than I used to. I used to have dual drives in my last two MacBooks via a data doubler in the optical bay, but those days are long gone.
Currently I'm using a 13" rMBP with a 256GB SSD. I keep all of my applications and critical data (eg. Dropbox documents/finances etc.) on the SSD. I then pair it with two external 4TB USB 3.0 desktop drives ($130-$160). One for all of my data such as my iTunes library, Aperture library, software DMGs, Logic files/loops, and more. And the second is my Time Machine backup for the SSD and storage drives that I keep in a safe offsite and backup to. Works pretty well and I get around 130 MB/s from them so it would be close to a good NAS over a gigabit connection. I was getting about 110 MB/s transferring data from a 2007 iMac (with an SSD mind you) to my MBP over our network with a 4th gen AirPort Extreme.
I'd consider a NAS but where I'm at it isn't a great option (renting old house, WiFi only). Back at my parents house though that's exactly what I'm doing. I'm having them order a Synology NAS to run with an ethernet cable straight into their safe in a protected room and use it to backup their iMac/MBP and a Windows box. They don't have much as far as big files go but lots of important ones. I'm hoping it will work well.
I do miss the days of being able to tote around 2TB of HDD plus an SSD in a 13" MacBook, but the awesome speed of these PCIe drives are incredible and a decent trade off when I can use a nice large external drive when I'm at a desk. That's usually the only time I need it anyway. If I'm out of the house and on the go I don't need every file and picture I've ever made haha.
So yes, MacBook plus external storage, plus NAS for backup of both drives should work just fine.
Currently I'm using a 13" rMBP with a 256GB SSD. I keep all of my applications and critical data (eg. Dropbox documents/finances etc.) on the SSD. I then pair it with two external 4TB USB 3.0 desktop drives ($130-$160). One for all of my data such as my iTunes library, Aperture library, software DMGs, Logic files/loops, and more. And the second is my Time Machine backup for the SSD and storage drives that I keep in a safe offsite and backup to. Works pretty well and I get around 130 MB/s from them so it would be close to a good NAS over a gigabit connection. I was getting about 110 MB/s transferring data from a 2007 iMac (with an SSD mind you) to my MBP over our network with a 4th gen AirPort Extreme.
I'd consider a NAS but where I'm at it isn't a great option (renting old house, WiFi only). Back at my parents house though that's exactly what I'm doing. I'm having them order a Synology NAS to run with an ethernet cable straight into their safe in a protected room and use it to backup their iMac/MBP and a Windows box. They don't have much as far as big files go but lots of important ones. I'm hoping it will work well.
I do miss the days of being able to tote around 2TB of HDD plus an SSD in a 13" MacBook, but the awesome speed of these PCIe drives are incredible and a decent trade off when I can use a nice large external drive when I'm at a desk. That's usually the only time I need it anyway. If I'm out of the house and on the go I don't need every file and picture I've ever made haha.
So yes, MacBook plus external storage, plus NAS for backup of both drives should work just fine.
I highly recommend that you should get a 2 or 4 bay NAS. I own a 2 bay QNAP NAS for about 4 years and it never lets me down. We basically store all our pics and movies in it and back up our Macs via TM to the NAS, and run a Plex Media Server on it then stream to several TVs. But I would suggest a 4 bay NAS because for a 2 bay you probably need to make a RAID 1 which gives your data more protection, but this also gives you less storage space. Since you need at least 4TB storage, an entry-level 4 bay NAS like QNAP TS-431 is only about $300, and if you get 4x3TB drives and make a RAID 5, then you can get about 9TB storage.
But if you don't feel like to get 4 drives at the same time, you can get 3 instead (still get 2x3TB=6TB storage). Later when you are running out of space, then just get the 4th drive, plug in and expand the storage. It's super simple or just call their support and they will help you with that, I have called them several times
But if you don't feel like to get 4 drives at the same time, you can get 3 instead (still get 2x3TB=6TB storage). Later when you are running out of space, then just get the 4th drive, plug in and expand the storage. It's super simple or just call their support and they will help you with that, I have called them several times
I have a QNAP TS-251 and I'm running backups on my MacBook through TimeMachine. I love it! It's a cool little NAS but it's fast, inexpensive and has a boatload of cool stuff. I also have the QFile app on my iPad and phone which is pretty much like a Dropbox type app to access all my files on my NAS. I also have my QNAP NAS connected to my TV through HDMI so I can watch all my videos, movies, pix and listen to music stored on my NAS through my TV. I really dig and highly recommend it for MAC users.