Which SSD 1TB device is reputable, straightforward and suitable to use for time machine back up?

Question

Which SSD 1TB device is reputable, straightforward and suitable to use for time machine back up?

I have a MacBookPro, mid-2015. It's running MacOS Monterey V 12.6.7

The process is a 2.2 GHz Quad-Core Intel Core i7

Memory is 16GB 1600 MHz DDR3

I hope you understood what I just wrote because I feel like I'm talking another language I don't understand.

That aside... I need to purchase a new external hard drive to set as a back-up via Time Machine. I've got a hard drive, but I think it's dead. JB HiFi suggested a Samsung Portable SSD T7 Shield, but once I started investigating it's not actually formatted "out of the box" for a Mac.

I am clueless on this stuff and don't even know where to start. I'm not using my laptop for anything fancy, just photos, word, excel, emails the like. No graphics. Just lots of photos.

What SSD product should I be looking at that's reliable and will do the job and won't break the bank?

Thanks so much for your help.

MacBook Pro 15″

Posted on Nov 5, 2023 8:43 PM

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Answer 1

Nov 5, 2023 8:48 PM in response to MissSunshineWB

Just about any external SSD will work. Whichever you get should be formatted using Disk Utility the first time you connect it to the Mac. Time Machine will guide you through this the first time you use it.

Back up your Mac with Time Machine - Apple Support

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Answer 2

etresoft

Level 9

57,068 points

Jan 24, 2024 5:01 PM in response to MissSunshineWB

MissSunshineWB wrote:

JB HiFi suggested a Samsung Portable SSD T7 Shield, but once I started investigating it's not actually formatted "out of the box" for a Mac.

You're going to have to reformat pretty much everything. Don't let that stop you.

Generally the Samsung T7 drives are great. I can't recommend the Shield version, however. After a couple of months of use, the USB port is very loose and is very easy to disconnect unexpectedly.

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Answer 3

Jan 24, 2024 4:28 PM in response to MissSunshineWB

On the Apple.com website, they offer an SSD drive that is Time Machine compatible.

Here is the link: https://www.apple.com/shop/product/HNY22ZM/A/lacie-1tb-rugged-ssd-pro-external-drive-with-thunderbolt-3?fnode=3a26aa43d6c1c60a5d975b7ccab7007e9f76867678b9e0e84462cfe034b8fed94aeea59d900c92bebd4f834553327032b387a91e0cd4f2c5fd2caf38e131d2a7991377570d8f7437cc5a42195cb8f5467f87cea091797aa2197378e905f0866b&fs=f%3Dssd%26fh%3D3783%252B464d

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Answer 4

MartinR

Level 7

25,062 points

Jan 24, 2024 5:34 PM in response to californiasun

californiasun wrote:

If I format an SSD using an Intel Mac, then buy an M3, can I continue using the disc?

Yes, you can continue using the disk. You should format your SSD as APFS but even if you formatted it as macOS Extended (Journaled) it would still work fine.

Note: with macOS Catalina and later your system drive must be formatted as APFS; but data drives do not necessarily need to be APFS.

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Answer 5

Jan 24, 2024 4:30 PM in response to BobTheFisherman

If I format an SSD using an Intel Mac, then buy an M3,

can I continue using the disc?

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Which SSD 1TB device is reputable, straightforward and suitable to use for time machine back up?

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