Now that WD have trashed my data. What backup software..

I just use Carbon Copy Cloner along with Time Machine
Never had an issue

 

Recently turned off time machine - I have no need for it.

However every now and again I create a backup image with SuperDuper.

 

I like the double approach of Time Machine (Time Capsule) and Super Duper clone.

 

I have the following setup to backup my iMac and rMBP using a combination of Carbon Copy Cloner (CCC), Time Machine, and CrashPlan. May sound like overkill, but I feel pretty safe with it.

Drives needing backup:
-iMac 628GB "fusion" drive
-rMBP 256GB SSD
-External Media Drive 2TB

External Disk 1 Backup - 1TB
-Partition 1 - 700GB -Time Machine Backup for iMac
-Partition 2 - 300GB -CCC Backup for rMBP (bootable clone)

External Disk 2 Backup - 1TB
-Partition 2 - 300GB -Time Machine Backup for rMBP
-Partition 2 - 700GB -CCC Backup for iMac (bootable clone)

CrashPlan (unlimited space) backs up:
-iMac 628GB
-rMBP 256GB
-External Disk1 1TB
-External Disk2 1TB
-External Disk3 2TB (with movies/tv shows only)

Alternatively, the External Disk3 is also manually replicated about once a month to an external drive at my parent's house (so my kids can watch movies when with them via ATV). Their computer has the same backup scheme above (minus the rMBP), so technically my external disk 3 (movies) are backed up to their CrashPlan account as well.

So in hardware/investment for backups I have 2x 1TB drives for backup ($79/ea), and a CrashPlan account ($60/yr - look for deals around end of November)....and another $129 if you want to add in the disk3 backup at my parent's house.

With all of this I've used TM and the bootable clones both as restores and never had an issue. And I never used the WD software, but still have also not moved my iMac to Mavericks yet...need to do some more research on its affects on the homemade "fusion" drives...

 

Starting with Mountain Lion, you can have multiple Time Machine drives. I have 2 Time Machine drives and it alternates between the drives every hour.

You might still want another backup method to supplement Time Machine, but I think 2 Time Machine drives makes for good regular automated backups no matter what else you use.

 

Buy the full version of Superduper

1. buy the complete version of Superduper, not the freeware.
2. use the SMART BACKUP of Superduper and it updates the image with only items that have changed on your hard drive.

That it!

 

Or try a Time Capsule or Synology NAS.

 

i never used time machine, not what i want (i just want a mirror of my mac).
so...carbon copy cloner: excellent.

also...crashplan. worth checking out...(or something similar)...