Pros and Cons of various file sync methods

[VirtualRain]

Ok, it seems there are multiple ways to keep files in sync between a laptop and a desktop (assuming you have MobileMe)...

3rd Party File Sync (eg. Choronsync)...
Desc:
- Keeps local copy of files on both machines
Good:
- Performance
Bad:
- Need to actively schedule sync
- Requires extra software/expense

iDisk...
Desc:
- MobileMe file store that can be setup with aliases to be seamless
Good:
- In the cloud files accessible from everywhere
- Can be setup to automate sync
Bad:
- Slow file access performance

Back to my mac...
Desc:
- Keep files on one machine
Good:
- Simple
Bad:
- No offline access
- Poor performance from remote machine

These are the major methods I'm aware of.

Of course, beyond syncing normal files, there's also the issue of syncing iTunes and iPhoto libraries which can really only be accomplished by 3rd party library sync tools.

My conclusion is that using 3rd party tools, Chronosync, iPhoto Library Manager, etc. is likely the best solution for performance, although not for seamless convenience.

It would seem this is one major shortcomming in Apple's OS/MobileMe/iLife offering.

Anyone got any further thoughts on this? How do you do it?

 

[jjcore]

I use SugarSync and love it, even though I have a MobileMe account. iDisk speeds are just waaaaay too slow. I don't quite understand why Apple hasn't given it more bandwidth.