Keeping two MacBook Pro's synchronised

[Graphically]

I have two MBPs. One I use as a desktop replacement and I rarely take it out. It's connected to an external monitor, external drives and so on. I have another one, that I would like to use as my 'grab and go' portable Mac. The software and email etc are easy enough to synchronise, but I would like any suggestions for having the data synchronised between the machines.

Obviously, Dropbox is one solution, but I use very large graphic files and so this isn't always practical. I had thought of having it connected as a target disk and having Carbon Copy Cloner run hourly clone backups to it. But any other 'no brainer' solution across WiFi/LAN/USB etc would be great.

Thanks.

 

[sahnert]

No-brainer would be ChronoSync

The Best Mac Backup and Sync Software - ChronoSync | Econ Technologies

ChronoSync is a complete, all-in-one solution for file & folder synchronizations, incremental backups, bootable backups (a.k.a clones) and cloud storage. In use by thousands of photographers, video editors, filmmakers, musicians and other data professionals. No other app can compare!

www.econtechnologies.com

 

[Graphically]

No-brainer would be ChronoSync

The Best Mac Backup and Sync Software - ChronoSync | Econ Technologies

ChronoSync is a complete, all-in-one solution for file & folder synchronizations, incremental backups, bootable backups (a.k.a clones) and cloud storage. In use by thousands of photographers, video editors, filmmakers, musicians and other data professionals. No other app can compare!

www.econtechnologies.com

Thanks. Yes, similarly that's why I use CCC. I was mainly wondering about connectivity methods I suppose – Wifi/networking etc.

 

[Spudlicious]

Possibly I am being a dense old man and not properly understanding the OP, but why not have all your data in folders under Documents and let iCloud sync across machines? That's what I do, so all my circuit and coding work as well as my routine Word files are available to me on all devices, and with only the 50GB data plan. Obviously I'm missing something.

 

[Graphically]

You're not being dense, because I didn't specifically say so. But I don't use iCloud.

However, as I said, I work with huge files and cloud-based options aren't really practical. Hence, I need a local-based solution.

 

[higgalls]

I use SpiderOak One Backup (https://spideroak.com/one/)
I believe it sync's faster if it detects another computer on your network that has the files locally that needs to be sync'd.
It is also super secure.

 

[adrianlondon]

What are you trying to sync? For a simple copy of e.g. the documents folder you can use the "rsync" command in terminal. That's what I do every now and again to keep an old laptop up to date (mainly as a secondary backup).

rsync allows you to just to copy what's new or sync (which will delete off the target what was also deleted from the source) in either direction. As an example:

rsync -va --timeout=5 --delete "/Users/<userID>/Documents/" "root@target.local:/Users/<userID>/Documents/".

If you wanted to copy over configurations for all apps, you'll need to copy directories out of the user Library folder. I don't know if the entire Library folder could be copied regularly but I did it once manually and the old laptop didn't crash It was good for getting my Firefox profile and email settings (and the local emails themselves) copied over.

 

[Spudlicious]

You're not being dense, because I didn't specifically say so. But I don't use iCloud.

However, as I said, I work with huge files and cloud-based options aren't really practical. Hence, I need a local-based solution.

I see. Then because you want to use one machine as grab 'n go I am fresh out of ideas.

 

[HDFan]

However, as I said, I work with huge files and cloud-based options aren't really practical.

What size are the files?

I am not exactly sure how iCloud drive works, but it seems to keep a local copy on my disk. The iCloud part seems to be a backup. When I move a file into Documents I sometimes see the uploading icon which does seem to slow file access.

After than, though, things are very fast. I just moved a 1.5 GB file from Documents to an external hard disk and it was virtually instantaneous. Clearly there was no network involved, although it was an iCloud documents file.

 

[evilneuro]

What's wrong with Dropbox > Preferences > Network > Enable LAN sync?

 

[Graphically]

What's wrong with Dropbox > Preferences > Network > Enable LAN sync?

In all honesty, I'd never heard of it. Thanks, I'll have a look.

Does that still go via Dropbox servers, or is it a direct LAN transfer?

 

[ascender]

I was going to suggest the Dropbox LAN sync thing, but I'm pretty sure it still relies on a copy being uploaded to their servers first. After which, any other computers on the same account will check the LAN first to see if a copy exists.

Best bet would be CCC or another similar programme which can be set to run regular copy jobs. Or a lower-tech but maybe more reliable (for us old school techies) using rsync and have it automatically scheduled.

 

[throAU]

Set up a box running NextCloud and install the NextCloud client software on both. Treat it just like iCloud Drive or dropbox or whatever, but it's your own server.

 

[Claw87]

I'm using Synology's Cloud Station to keep my Macs synchronized. Every time I'm connected to it (either WiFi/LAN or via the internet) it automatically keeps the files on the DiskStation up to date and synchronizes them, as soon as one of the other Macs was booted.
This doesn't help with configs/apps, but all the other stuff working for me perfectly (in the meantime 2MBP + 1 iMac).

 

[Graphically]

Best bet would be CCC or another similar programme which can be set to run regular copy jobs. Or a lower-tech but maybe more reliable (for us old school techies) using rsync and have it automatically scheduled.

Yep thanks, I'm leaning towards that direction. Especially as I already use CCC.
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Set up a box running NextCloud and install the NextCloud client software on both. Treat it just like iCloud Drive or dropbox or whatever, but it's your own server.

Thanks. That looks useful, but probably better for multi-user collaboration than my little set-up. But I've filed it for future consideration.