backup iCloud or external hard drive

Question

backup iCloud or external hard drive

After nearly a year I am still struggling with my Macbook Pro after using windows for so many years.

I thought that there was no need to back up my data as it was automatically saved in iCloud and I could access it from there. Is that correct or do I need an external hard drive. I already have two used for my windows stuff, can I add it to one of those or do I need a dedicated one for Macs?

I only use my lapttop for recreation so nothing that important to save apart from photos and my artwork.

thanks in advance and apologies for beig so stupid. I do try reading things but they still don't sink in.

MacBook Pro with Retina display, OS X Mountain Lion (10.8)

Posted on Dec 3, 2013 5:00 AM

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Answer 1

markwmsn

Level 6

15,017 points

Dec 3, 2013 8:15 AM in response to Jeanjeannie44

If there is anything on your MacBook Pro you care about (such as your photos and artwork), it should be backed up. Once is the bare minimum, twice is better, and some experts suggest three or more with at least one offsite.

The only Mac data "automatically saved in iCloud" would be iCloud calendars, iCloud contacts, iCloud email, and the like. Photos would only be saved if Photo Stream is enabled, and only for thirty days. Artwork would not be saved in iCloud. (On iOS devices such as iPads, you can back up the entire device to iCloud and subsequently restore the entire device from iCloud, but that doesn't apply to Macs.)

If you are already using your existing external hard drives for Windows, they are probably formatted as NTFS drives. Mac systems come with the ability to read NTFS disks but not write on them. (There are third-party NFTS drivers available, if you want to use them. I use one from Paragon, but not for backups.)

If your budget can stand it, get a separate external drive (or two) for backing up your Mac stuff.

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