iCloud storage as an alternative to upgrade ssd?

[Johnw94]

Hey there,

So I’m debating on wether I’m gonna get the 256gb macbook air or the 512gb and I was wondering if anyone chooses to opt for less physical storage by using iCloud? So, I currently have a 200gb plan that has finally been used up after 4 years of mostly iPhone photos and videos, but also a lot of other data from my iPad.

I’m already considering to upgrade to the 2 tb plan, and I’m wondering how it works as storage for a macbook? Does iCloud just mirror the data to any device connected? So would it just download the 200gb I’ve filled onto my new MacBook? If so, I may choose to disable it on the laptop, or just upgrade to 2tb. But in either case, why not just get a larger iCloud plan and get the base storage?

Sorry I’m sure there’s an obvious answer to this, but I’m not quite clear how it works lol. Any suggestions would be great!

Thanks

 

[aednichols]

Here is why I always get enough local storage to hold all my data:

The cloud is not a backup.

If you accidentally perma-delete something or there is an issue with iCloud itself, the unwanted change will instantly propagate to all of your devices.

To be truly secure, you need the data to be copied to a non-cloud device like an external drive. With a big SSD, you can keep all the data on it and Time Machine conveniently backs it up.

 

[Juicy Box]

I personally would not trust iCloud as my primary storage, or even a back up.

If you end up using iCloud, just make sure you have reliable back ups. If you lose something in iCloud, Apple won't help you.

 

[Johnw94]

I see, thanks!

 

[ivanwi11iams]

Yes, I have to concur with others. Even if using iCloud, keep a local copy. Best to merely have a 2TB Lacie Rugged drive (or something similar), and have a local copy. Then update it often (depending on how often your data changes).

 

[xboxbml]

AND, if your data is really critical, as most is, have a SECOND backup, that is somewhere else. If you had a fire at home or a flood and the backup drive was destroyed and possibly your Mac, you can still recover something if you had another one offsite somewhere. Family house safe or safety deposit box. And of course, I would encrypt them. Have a good backup plan and schedule. Backup often and swap drive locations often.. I don't want to rely on Apple or anyone else to have my data. A home fire safe is also a good thing to get if you can afford.

 

[IngerMan]

I use iCloud for my iPhone devices and iPad backups for they are not critical. But my main desktop and laptops I always use 2 external backups plus iCloud. Time Machine and CCC.

 

[G5isAlive]

I agree with what is said about keeping local copies, though I do think the cloud is safer than what is portrayed here. Apple would pretty much collapse if iCloud died. However, what you want is Dropbox which does NOT require you to have local copies.

 

[Stephen.R]

While the above points are all relevant also keep in mind that the way Apple uses SSDs, speed generally increases dramatically with capacity, at < 1tb.

 

[bwb]

I use iCloud for my iPhone devices and iPad backups for they are not critical. But my main desktop and laptops I always use 2 external backups plus iCloud. Time Machine and CCC.

I had been doing that on my fusion drive iMac... Apple isn’t making local backups of iCloud easy with the higher SSD upgrade costs. I wish there was a way to pull down iCloud separately on a NAS in Linux... it also blows my mind they don’t have a way for time machine to be used on iCloud Drive files.

 

[Zazoh]

I always buy minimal storage and synch to iCloud with the exception of Desktop and Documents folder. Been doing it for years. It ensures from any device and now the web I have access to everything.

I manually copy up things from documents folder.

I have two external SSD drives that I back up to. One is kept at my house and the other at the office.

There are now online services to do that, Backblaze comes to mind.

This also ensures, if I ever need to, I can wipe my computer and do a fresh install in an hour and have access to all my stuff.