Time Machine on a MacBook Pro with a 4T SSD - Would this be problematic?

[MalagLagoon]

I'm in the market to replace my 2015 MacBook Pro - that I'll have owned for 10 years this November!

For a time I've known that using a larger external drive (like 2T or 4T) is best when using Time Machine to back up my 2015 MBP. My 2015 MBP has a 1T internal SSD.

I want to buy an M4 machine with 4T of SSD storage space - but I have concerns that using a 4T external drive for Time Machine backups would be problematic - if backing up a 4T internal SSD. I've had this issue in the past using a 1T external drive for backing up my 2015 MBP's 1T SSD.

I'd like to continue using smaller external drives for backups that do not require external power. For my 2015 MBP I've added velcro to the back of my laptop for convenient backups. (see photo)

I'm still using a mechanical external HD. I have no idea if using an SSD for a Time Machine backup is a good or bad idea.

I'd like to continue using a small external drive like the one shown in then photo - but I don't think I've seen an 8T version in a similarly small package.

Thoughts?

 

[Bigwaff]

With backups, it really doesn't matter how long it takes. I'd look for a 6TB-8TB external bus powered HDD, as these are much less expensive than SSD storage.

 

[chabig]

A 6TB bus powered hard drive costs about $150. 6TB is the largest 2.5 inch HD available. SSDs are available in larger sizes. An 8TB portable SSD costs about $440.

 

[Alpha Centauri]

I have a 2TB internal in my MBP and for backups am using SSD's in my chosen enclosures.

For cloning the speed is quite nice to have as the SSD's Im using can run on the hot side. For TM however speed isn't a factor, so any HD should do the job. My end game was really about reliability of the medium. I did look at NAS with HDs but couldn't plc them where noise wouldn't be an issue. I guess I also bought the 990Pro SSD's in case I will use them for something else where speed could be a factor.

So just for TM, even a dual bay (minimum) NAS with large HD's could be an option, rotated off-site also. I personally chose to go with DAS and SSD coupled with a strict routine.