Ordered a 2.4 Al MacBook yesterday, along with a 500GB External HD for use with Time Machine. Obviously I won't have the HD connected all the time, so how often is it recommended I plug it in for a new backup?
Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
MacBook and Time Machine on External HD
- Thread starter musicman1234
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
BittenApple
macrumors 65816
ebika
macrumors 6502a
It boils down to what you consider acceptable if your laptop is stolen, your laptop's drive dies, you accidentally delete a file, or a file gets corrupted. If you're OK with day-old data, then once a day is fine. For most people, there is no regular rhythm to important data... there'll be days of just email and web surfing, when backups are relatively unimportant. Then there'll be the day when you finish your epic manuscript when you'll want the hourly backups running.
If very little changes from backup to backup, Time Machine is very efficient about how much space is gobbled up, so don't worry there. People never regret backing up too much, only too little.
If very little changes from backup to backup, Time Machine is very efficient about how much space is gobbled up, so don't worry there. People never regret backing up too much, only too little.
true. all i'm really worried about is my iTunes library (once i transfer it from my PC) and my movie collection
jav6454
macrumors Core
I recommend once a day to plug it in. at night most likely since you get the days work backed up. However, if you can get 2 back ups it would be fine.
As for my iTunes Library, I have 4 copies of it. One at home, one with me (MB), one with my Parents external HD, another at my brother's HD (lol, he likes it cause he can get to watch my movies)
As for my iTunes Library, I have 4 copies of it. One at home, one with me (MB), one with my Parents external HD, another at my brother's HD (lol, he likes it cause he can get to watch my movies)
silverblack
macrumors 68030
Any chance you are using wifi at home? Get an Airport and plug the HDD in to have TM working in the background all the time.