Using 1 Hard Drive Between 2 Computers

Discussion in 'Mac Basics and Help' started by SparkyCanada, Sep 4, 2011.

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  1. SparkyCanada, Sep 4, 2011

    SparkyCanada macrumors member

    Joined:
    Feb 9, 2008
    #1
    Hi there.

    I'm trying to figure out if there is a way I can use 1 portable hard drive between 2 computers.

    Here's my set-up and what I'm trying to accomplish:

    1. I have 1 Macbook Pro at home
    2. I have 1 Macbook Pro at work
    3. I would like to be able to have all my information available on each computer
    4. I would like to have my updated calendar events (using Entourage) available on each computer

    Is there a way I could use a portable hard drive as my primary information source? I suspect I would have to boot off the portable hard drive. This way all I would have to do is transport my portable hard drive back and forth and have all my data up to date.

    Currently running 10.6.8

    Hopefully I've been able to explain what I'm trying o accomplish.

    Thanks for any assistance.

    Sparky
     
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  2. treestar, Sep 4, 2011

    treestar macrumors 6502

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    Feb 28, 2010
    #2
    Aiming to portage an external boot disk between two portable notebooks? Priceless. Just use one computer!
     
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  3. SparkyCanada, Sep 4, 2011

    SparkyCanada thread starter macrumors member

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    Feb 9, 2008
    #3
    Sounds crazy - but I'm hoping to not have to haul a laptop back and forth to work - just want to downsize the stuff I carry back and forth with just a hard drive...

    Sparky
     
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  4. sleinad, Sep 4, 2011

    sleinad macrumors member

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    May 11, 2011
    #4
    If I'm not completely mistaken, you can not boot Lion from an external drive (except external drives with Thunderbolt).
     
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  5. Sc00tr, Sep 5, 2011

    Sc00tr macrumors regular

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    May 28, 2011
    #5
    yes you can. You can clone one of the Macs using Carbon Copy Cloner or Super Duper (I think that Super Duper is easier). It will automatically make it bootable. When powering up your mac just hold the option key and you can select which drive to boot from.

    Another option is to use Dropbox. This is just a folder and what ever you put in it will show up on the other laptop. I think that this is a better option for what you need.
     
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  6. gnasher729, Sep 5, 2011

    gnasher729 macrumors P6

    gnasher729

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    #6
    I think you are completely mistaken.
     
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  7. Young Spade, Sep 7, 2011

    Young Spade macrumors 68020

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    Location:
    Tallahassee, Florida
    #7
    Then why not just put the files on the external hard drive and move that back and forth? Then leave the laptop in one location and move the desktop to the other?

    Use a program like Dropbox or... SpiderOak and then upgrade the storage (if you need more) and throw all of the items you want synced to both computers in the folder.
     
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  8. SparkyCanada, Sep 7, 2011

    SparkyCanada thread starter macrumors member

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    Feb 9, 2008
    #8
    This would work for files - which I get - but what I can't seem to figure out is how to keep my Entourage calendar & emails, notes etc. all up to date using something like "Dropbox".

    If I want to save my calendar stuff - I would have to export & import the calendar files (and anything else from Entourage) as a ".rge" file every time I used a different computer - which would get pretty annoying after about the 2nd day...

    Thanks for the suggestions so far eveyone

    Sparky
     
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