On my old Macbook air I had a small scandisk usb drive permanently plugged in which the timemachine regulalry backed up to. It wasn't flush with the computer, but nearly. I've just upgraded to MacBook air 2022 and discovered that it only has USB c slots. Can I buy a similar scandisk to leave permanentpy plugged in, as before?
MacBook Air 13″, macOS 12.7
You can get USB flash drives that have USB-C plugs, or that have both USB-A and USB-C plugs (you use only one plug at a time). E.g.,
https://www.amazon.com/SanDisk-256GB-Ultra-Drive-Type-C/dp/B07YYJL21Z/
I don't see how it is going to fit "nearly flush" with a computer, but it is small. ("Nearly flush" makes me think of a memory card, but the M2 MacBook Air does not have a slot for one of those.)
You may want to make periodic backups to a hard drive, as well. USB flash drives might not be the most reliable type of long-term storage. Also, if you're taking the USB flash drive everywhere the M2 MacBook Air goes, and your M2 MacBook Air is stolen, there's a good chance you'd lose the flash drive at the same time.
You can get USB flash drives that have USB-C plugs, or that have both USB-A and USB-C plugs (you use only one plug at a time). E.g.,
https://www.amazon.com/SanDisk-256GB-Ultra-Drive-Type-C/dp/B07YYJL21Z/
I don't see how it is going to fit "nearly flush" with a computer, but it is small. ("Nearly flush" makes me think of a memory card, but the M2 MacBook Air does not have a slot for one of those.)
You may want to make periodic backups to a hard drive, as well. USB flash drives might not be the most reliable type of long-term storage. Also, if you're taking the USB flash drive everywhere the M2 MacBook Air goes, and your M2 MacBook Air is stolen, there's a good chance you'd lose the flash drive at the same time.
Hey there!
+1 to the Servant of Cats's advice. If something happens to your Mac, you'd loose your backup with your Mac. Plus, USB flash drives aren't the most reliable for tasks that write a large amount of data, including Time Machine backups.
Using an external SSD, such as the LaCie 500GB Mobile SSD Secure USB-C Drive - Gray - Apple, may work well for you! It's small enough to travel with easily, can be disconnected, and is very reliable.
Hope this helps!
-Jack
I use a USB a to USB C adapter and leave my harddisk plugged in permanently for Time Machine backups. You can also do this with an external drive with an usb c connector
There are also very small external SSDs – like the Crucial X9 Pros, which are about the size of a credit card, with the thickness of an iPhone.
Scandisk drive for USB c slot on MB Air model A2681
