Too much GB for backing up stuff - Maximum internal hard drive

[JokerABC]

I think it's time for a new Macbook, my current one is 6 years old with a 250 GB HD. With all these new iphones with large capacities, I can't even back up things. Using external hard drives has been finicky and hard to do with various family members.

Is 2TB the largest internal SSD I can get currently? I thought they were going to come out with another size soon?

 

[Psyclism]

You can get the 16" with 8TB. That should be sufficient for most

 

[jerryk]

You could hook at a NAS if everyone is one home, or some sort of online solutions. I use Android, not IOS phones, and use Google drive and Microsoft OneDrive. I also use OneDrive on my iPads and MBP, so I assume you could use them an iPhone

 

[JokerABC]

You can get the 16" with 8TB. That should be sufficient for most

Oh! I was only looking at the 13 inch, but let me check into the 16 inch then. Guess I gotta save a little more money into the account now lol

 

[hobowankenobi]

A NAS would be cheaper and more convenient, once set up...than buying premium space in a new Mac.

Always on the network, always on and ready, and could do backups of all computers automatically (given enough storage). Big HDs are cheap these days.

A full-fledged file server and backup destination would be a much better choice. Be sure to get something Mac friendly and easy to manage, like this Synology. Can hold two HDs, but you only need 1 to get started. Add something like this and you are set.

 

[HDFan]

Is 2TB the largest internal SSD I can get currently?

Why are looking at an SSD? Not cost effective, doesn't give that great a performance improvement over a hard disk (other than first backup) ...

 

[hobowankenobi]

Why are looking at an SSD? Not cost effective, doesn't give that great a performance improvement over a hard disk (other than first backup) ...

I have to disagree. Since APFS....I would not boot to anything but SSD.

Second drive for storage using HD? Sure.

It will only get worse for HDs moving forward.

 

[HDFan]

I can't even back up things.

I have to disagree. Since APFS....I would not boot to anything but SSD.

My understanding was that it was to be used for backup.

 

[JokerABC]

I like SSD because it’s faster and no moving parts, so more reliable.

I just found that iMazing makes it so easy to back up to my external HD. I was so frustrated before because I could not get iTunes to backup to externals, I just hate that app.

With iMazing, I can now attempt to save up for a more powerful 16 inch MacBook Pro with tons of RAM!

 

[HDFan]

I like SSD because it’s faster and no moving parts, so more reliable.

True, true, not necessarily true. In difficult environments (dust, heat, vibration) SSD's clearly have a reliability advantage. But in a controlled environment that is no longer true. SSD's will wear out:

SSDs: 30-80% test developed bad block in their lifetime
Hard Disk: 3.5% developed bad sectors comparatively

SSD vs HDD | What Is the Difference? | ESF

Understand the balance of cost, performance, capacity and reliability when when choosing between SSD or HDD. Learn more here.

www.enterprisestorageforum.com

(There are conflicting reports).

It also depends on the specific SSD - QLC, TLC, size, target market, etc. A 1 TB Samsung TLD 860 EVO has a 5 year warranty or 600 Terabytes Written (TBW). Their 860 QVO (QLC) has just a 3 year warranty or 360 TBW.

SSD Product Warranty | Support | Samsung Semiconductor Global

Samsung ensures the best quality in all products and services beyond customer expectations. Warranty policy, conditions for Internal and Portable SSD.

www.samsung.com

In contrast a Seagate Exos X16 hard disk has a 5 year warranty for 550 TB/year or 2750 TBW, more than 4 times that of the 860 EVO, almost 8 times greater than the 860 QLC.