External Hard Drive for iMac....1 or 2?

I've decided to add an external hard drive to my new iMac after much help on a previous post. I want the external to store my media files (mostly music and video), but I would also like to use it for a "time machine backup".

Here are my questions...

I was originally thinking about a 1TB or 2TB external drive...to take care of both jobs (media storage and time machine backup). Is it wise to use the drive for both or should I have 2 different drives? If I can use 1 drive, does the drive have to have multiple partitions?

I have a 500GB HDD in my iMac...should I plan on allowing that much space for the Time Machine? Being new to Macs, I'm not sure what to expect from the backup. If I need 2 different external drives, then so be it. I just wanted to hear that from the experts.

Thank you!

21.5 iMac, Mac OS X (10.6.5)

Posted on Jan 4, 2011 6:21 PM

20 replies

Acetone.

Level 1

81 points

Jan 17, 2011 2:41 PM in response to rkaufmann87

I'd go with two drives without hesitation and for the time machine drive a 2TB. If money is an issue a USB would be fine, but a firewire 800 would be faster.

If you do go the USB route make sure it's USB 3, I'm positive in the next upgrade apple will go USB 3 and I think they may even drop firewire altogether IMHO.

I have 2 G-Tech drives and they have been fine over the last 12 months or so

teride

Level 1

22 points

Jan 17, 2011 3:46 PM in response to rkaufmann87

Hey thanks all for the input....yikes my already expensive iMac has just gotten more expensive.... I'm coming of a PC environment & there is a lot to learn....I have a little 320 gb external drive I use for my PC.

rkaufmann87

Level 10

148,440 points

Jan 17, 2011 4:07 PM in response to teride

Once you get over the initial expense of hard drives and such they're pretty inexpensive. If you're ilke most Windows switchers after a few weeks you'll be kicking yourself for not switching years ago. 🙂

iTechCNS

Level 1

130 points

Jan 18, 2011 12:23 AM in response to rkaufmann87

Funny how you said that Roger..... lol... That was me looking 3 years back 🙂

teride

Level 1

22 points

Jan 20, 2011 10:15 AM in response to atstech

Anyone have any experience with the 2TB MiniMax Iomega Drive? I like the fact it can be stacked on the Airport Extreme..

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External Hard Drive for iMac....1 or 2?