Time Machine vs. Prosoft Data Backup

[texasvwnut]

I recently purchased a Mercury Elite-AL Pro from OWC and it included Prosoft Engineering Data Backup. Are there advantages in using Time Machine vs. Prosoft Engineering Data Backup or vice versa?

Also, what about something different like Carbon Copy Cloner? I'm looking to do this right the first time.

Thanks!

 

[MisterMe]

I recently purchased a Mercury Elite-AL Pro from OWC and it included Prosoft Engineering Data Backup. Are there advantages in using Time Machine vs. Prosoft Engineering Data Backup or vice versa?

Also, what about something different like Carbon Copy Cloner? I'm looking to do this right the first time.

Thanks!

CCC produces a bootable unencrypted copy of your hard drive. Time Machine is a built-in backup utility that allows MacOS X users to restore their system to its state at any time in the past. Prosoft Engineering Data Backup 3 appears to fall somewhere between CCC and Time Machine. It creates bootable backups. It provides versioned backups of files. Prosoft addresses Time Machine on its website:

• What is the difference between Data Backup 3 and Time Machine?
  We see Time Machine as a great introduction to backing up for those users that have never backed up their Mac before. For that reason alone, Time Machine is a welcomed feature to the Mac community. However, many seasoned Mac users have found that Time Machine doesn't have the flexibility nor the options that they are seeking.
• What does Data Backup 3 offer compared to Time Machine?
  Flexibility: Data Backup 3 can backup to CDs, DVDs, network drives and even non-Mac-OS formatted drives. Data Backup 3 can also schedule, compress and encrypt your backups. You can't do any of this with Time Machine...
• Versatility: Want to only backup your home folder? Want to make a bootable backup of your entire drive? Want to make different backup sets based on your needs? Data Backup 3 can do all that for you... Time Machine can't

From where I sit, Time Machine is your best bet.