Time Machine + laptop...best way to go mobile?

[btownguy]

I have my MBP connected to an external HD via Firewire 800 when it's on my desk. What steps need to take place when I decide to go mobile and take my MBP away from my desk? Do I have to:

1) Stop currently running backup (if it is running)
2) Turn Time Machine off
3) Dismount the external HD

Do I need to do these steps? I'm thinking it's a bad idea to just not pay any attention to anything and pull the Firewire 800 cable.

 

[uaecasher]

I have my MBP connected to an external HD via Firewire 800 when it's on my desk. What steps need to take place when I decide to go mobile and take my MBP away from my desk? Do I have to:

1) Stop currently running backup (if it is running)
2) Turn Time Machine off
3) Dismount the external HD

Do I need to do these steps? I'm thinking it's a bad idea to just not pay any attention to anything and pull the Firewire 800 cable.

I will assume that you will not take your HD with you.

in this case:

1) you have to do it

2) you don't have to

3) you have to do it

 

[Steve-M]

Time Machine will keep track of changes made to your system until the next time you plug in your external drive, at which point it will pick up where it left off.

 

[Richard1028]

I always do #1 and #3. There's no need to turn TM off.

If it's in the middle of a backup I just wait it out... it only takes about 30 seconds tops.

 

[Signal-11]

TM won't let you unmount if it's in the middle of a backup. With the default hourly incrementals, it shouldn't take too long anyway.

So step 1 is unnecessary. Step 2 is completely unnecessary. Step 3 is good practice for any mounted external.