Time Machine Backup

Question

Level 1

41 points

Time Machine Backup

I have a Mac Mini running Mavericks. I have a WD My Book for Mac 3tb connected to the Mac for storage and configured for Time Machine. I was thinking of getting a separate external drive just for Time Machine backups. I know that I can use almost any external drive as long as it is Mac formatted.

What is a good exteranl drive to use for Time Machine?

What is the minimum drive space for Time Machine?

I am using the Mac for iTunes, Apple device backups, and photos.

Mac mini, OS X Mavericks (10.9.3)

Posted on Jun 9, 2014 6:22 PM

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Answer 1

BDAqua

Level 10

239,495 points

Jun 9, 2014 6:37 PM in response to pfisher112

Hi,

A TM drive should be minimum twice the size of what you're backing up.

I'd recommend these drives, but I'd avoid Bus powered ones, & avoid the 4 TB drives & especially the 1.5 & 3 TB drives due to reported failures.

http://eshop.macsales.com/shop/firewire/

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Answer 2

pfisher112 Author

Level 1

41 points

Jun 10, 2014 9:42 AM in response to BDAqua

So you are telling me to avoid using 4tb drives more importantly 1.5 and 3tb. What size is left? 1 or 2tb. I am not really following what you are saying. Why do I not want a 3 or 4tb drive? If I am using the external drive for TM, I will want a drive with a lot of space. Right? Which drives are you speaking of to stay away from?

Anyone else what to offer there suggestions?

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Answer 3

BDAqua

Level 10

239,495 points

Jun 10, 2014 10:02 AM in response to pfisher112

It seems the most reliable drives are the 2 TB ones followed by the 1 TB drives, failure rates seem worst on the 3 TB ones, followed by the 1.5 TB ones, & then the 4 TB ones, but varies from manufacture to manufacture, & can really be all over the board...

http://blog.backblaze.com/2014/01/21/what-hard-drive-should-i-buy/

The new Helium filled drives are supposed to be fantastic, but too new to tell yet.

How big is the Drive you'll be backing up? Will you be backing up more than one drive?

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Answer 4

tbirdvet

Level 6

13,731 points

Jun 10, 2014 1:18 PM in response to pfisher112

I use a 1TB WD blue drive in a USB3 Macally enclosure and works great with my Mini. Note that if you use a FW drive it will not sleep with Mavericks when your mac sleeps (Mavericks bug) so if that is important stick with USB drive. I have a 500GB internal SSD in my MIni (late 2012) so the 1TB is about the right size.

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Answer 5

pfisher112 Author

Level 1

41 points

Jun 10, 2014 5:15 PM in response to tbirdvet

What is the best way to find out the how much space is used on a Mac? In the Windows world, I use Treesize.

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Answer 6

pfisher112 Author

Level 1

41 points

Jun 10, 2014 5:16 PM in response to pfisher112

I like Treesize so I would like to use something similar to TS.

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Answer 7

pfisher112 Author

Level 1

41 points

Jun 10, 2014 6:56 PM in response to pfisher112

My Mac has a 160gb drive. If you double that amount it is 320gb. That is what TM is backing up. Again, I use this Mac for iTunes (Music, Apps, Videos, etc...) and photos and I use it to manage my Apple devices. Currently, I am using a WD My Book 2tb for storage and TM.

I want to have a separate TM external drive.

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Answer 8

tbirdvet

Level 6

13,731 points

Jun 11, 2014 7:15 AM in response to pfisher112

Right click on the drive icon and get info. It will show you how much free space is left. Remember that TM will make incremental backups after the first full backup. Over time it will fill up and then start deleting oldest backup first to make room. So the larger your TM drive is the less it will eventually delete.

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Answer 9

pfisher112 Author

Level 1

41 points

Jun 11, 2014 7:51 AM in response to tbirdvet

Is it better to have TM frequently delete backups or keep backups longer? Perhaps, it depends on the user. Generally speaking, it is better to keep TM backups a month or longer or keep backups for a month and have TM delete backups longer than a month? On the Windows side, when you use System restore, I wish I could have the option to go back a full month. Going back to TM, can you change the frequency? Sometimes I don't want TM to perform a backup. Can the User control when TM backups or the frequency? I know you can turn OFF TM and I know I can skip a backup. Why can't Apple give the user more control over TM?

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Answer 10

pfisher112 Author

Level 1

41 points

Jun 16, 2014 12:15 PM in response to pfisher112

Anybody?

Is it better to get a smaller external drive and let Time Machine perform frequent backups OR get a larger external drive and let Time Machine keep backups for a longer period of time?

Does Time Machine care about how big or small the drive is?

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Answer 11

Jun 16, 2014 12:43 PM in response to pfisher112

pfisher112 wrote:

Going back to TM, can you change the frequency? Sometimes I don't want TM to perform a backup. Can the User control when TM backups or the frequency? I know you can turn OFF TM and I know I can skip a backup. Why can't Apple give the user more control over TM?

This free application 'TimeMachineEditor' gives you the control you're seeking.

Minimaly speaking TM requires a drive at least as large as your total installed system, anything larger then that will extend your backups back farther in time.

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Answer 12

lllaass

Level 10

210,417 points

Jun 16, 2014 1:41 PM in response to woodturner

Oops! Google Chrome could not find http

Did you mean: www.macupdate.com/app/mac/26704/timemachineeditor

Link messed up a little

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Answer 13

Jun 16, 2014 2:09 PM in response to lllaass

I did, and thank you for correcting the link.

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Answer 14

BDAqua

Level 10

239,495 points

Jun 16, 2014 3:38 PM in response to woodturner

Beware of linking to macupdate or cnet anymore...

http://www.finetunedmac.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=27277

http://macsmarticles.blogspot.com/2013/10/attack-of-adware-cnet-has-ruined.html

http://www.reddit.com/r/Bitcoin/comments/1xnm1v/os_x_users_beware_downloadcom_an d_macupdatecom/

http://www.thesafemac.com/genieo-adware-downloaded-through-fake-flash-updates/

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Answer 15

MadMacs0

Level 5

5,221 points

Jun 17, 2014 12:10 AM in response to BDAqua

I understand the problems with adware included with the installers from C|Net's download.com and Softonic, but I still find MacUpdate to be clean for the most part. Yes, they have a war going on with Koingo for no good reason and they have inadvertently posted one or two less than honest third party apps, but then so did Apple's AppStore. I would always advise downloading from the AppStore or developer's site first, but have not found MacUpdate to have totally crossed over yet, have you?

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