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Evening the all knowing STW massive.
I need a bit of advice please?
Got myself a new iMac (M1). I have never used a Mac before I have always used MS Windows.
I want to set up Time Machine for regular back ups and would like to do it via a SSD plugged into one of the Thunderbolt ports.
I have a couple of questions.
Firstly it would appear that the time machine back up drive needs to be formatted in a certain way for Time machine to work, if I allow the Mac to format the drive to allow it to back up, will I still be able to use that drive as a storage area or does it make the entire drive a back-ups drive only?
and 2nd, The machine I bought is a 512gb machine, I'm assuming there is no need to buy a larger external SSD that 500gb to match the maximum capacity of the internal Mac SSD is this correct?
Sorry if this all sounds a bit numpty but I'm new to Mac and not very IT say at the easy of times. 🙁
cheers
Dave
I just bought a western digital SSD to replace a time capsule that went pop in a recent power cut.
I think the advice is to got twice the size of internal storage.
Partitioning is easy on the Mac as is formatting each partition. I'm in no way an IT wizz and I managed it just following a YouTube video.
1 you can partition the external drive using disk utility to provide 2 volumes, 1 of which you can use as the time machine volume, but tbh I’d just buy another drive to use as additional storage if you feel you need it.
2 time machine produces multiple version backups, so I’d be tempted to go larger than the drive it’s being used to backup.
3 consider how iCloud fits in to this - it’s not a backup, but it will provide a mirror of your files.
I am not an IT specialist in any shape or form, but I use a conventional hard drive about twice the size of the internal storage for the Time Machine backups, well actually two drives as I swap between them regularly. I was advised by my brother who was a (cautious) IT network specialist to do this as it means I always have a reasonably up to date backup handy if one or other drive goes pop. I asked about using SSD’s but it was suggested that I didn’t really need the speed and cost for this purpose, but I guess they might be more reliable so might not need to use two like I do?
Edit: I am using two HD’s I already had so not a costly option for me.
@jimw The two drives is good practice and not about reliability. If you wish to go full belt and braces you should be backing up to cloud or optical disc too as your data isn't truly safe until it exists in 3 places and formats.
An SSD for a Time Machine backup drive really seems overkill. Save some money and get much more space for much less dough.
Just partition the drive. Use one for time machine and another for extra storage that you aren't fussed about backing up.
Just to illustrate how non technical I am, a correction to my earlier post. Mine isn't SSD, it's just a HDD.
2TB for about £65
Definitely don't partition it and use it as normal storage - it's a backup drive for a reason
+1 unless you are very well off, a desktop HDD (ie, 3.5" - WD Elements - ideally not 'portable' 2.5" ones I've had MANY fail) would be the most sensible bet.
+1 iCloud etc
You'll need to get a USB3.0-USBC adaptor for the HDD as they don't come with USBC/Thunderbolt unless you spend more -
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Adapter-Converting-Thunderbolt-MacBook-Devices/dp/B07CVX3516/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?keywords=usb3.0+to+usb+c+adapter&qid=1641301980&sprefix=usb3.0+to+usb+c+adap%2Caps%2C53&sr=8-1-spons&psc=1&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUEyRUoyRTYzUkxaTU5QJmVuY3J5cHRlZElkPUEwMzU1MzE2M0lSSVNLTzZKOTJXTSZlbmNyeXB0ZWRBZElkPUEwNTQ5NzgzMUExWElRTVk0MlhISSZ3aWRnZXROYW1lPXNwX2F0ZiZhY3Rpb249Y2xpY2tSZWRpcmVjdCZkb05vdExvZ0NsaWNrPXRydWU=
Edit: I should add
Yes you simply run the app Disk Utility with the new HDD/SSD plugged in, click 'Erase', and choose macOS Extended journaled. It'll then format it to the filesystem you need
(They often come default NTFS for windows)
Cheers for the advice gents.
I already have an SSD, Sscan are selling 1TB Samsung T7's @ £112. They are really neat and fit perfectly behind the iMac stand.
I'll go with using that as a Time machine back-up only and not bother partition it, that's double the internal SDD size as advised.
I also have a 1.5TB external HDD that is my 'back up to my back up' (just in case) so I think I'm covered as well as having Flickr for some photos, iCloud (200gb) and Vimeo for Riding Videos. So Hopefully with all that I should be OK.
cheers
Dave
Time Machine keeps multiple copies of files that change, so you can "go back in time" to restore them to the version uou want. When the drive fills up, it deletes the older versions. So ideally you need a ls big a drive as you can. Unless you only use a small amount of the iMacs primary drive.
Better off getting a 3TB standard drive (non SSD) and partitioning it. SSD is great for a boot drive but not worth it for Time Machine. It backs up every hour and you won't even notice it doing it while you work.
Time Machine is brilliant and saved me a few times. But if you have valuable files, make an off site backup too.