Paul Trautwein1

Q: Multiple Laptops, Wireless Externals and Time Machine

I have three MacBooks I'd like to hook up to Time Machine, but getting three wired externals is not going to work. Nobody in my household sits down in a single location that would facilitate connecting themselves up to a device.

 

I've been looking at cloud based subscription services like Backblaze, but a subscription for three machines is more expensive then buying a wireless external that we can share. (Plus, I like, and want, the Time Machine interface, and Backblaze doesn't do that.)

 

The one that is sticking out to me, and was recommended by a friend is Western Digital's "My Cloud."

 

However, I'm trying to find out if I can have three machines use a single external for three different Time Machine instances. My initial thought was that I could split a 3TB drive into three 1TB partitions, but I called their customer services and they said that partitioning wouldn't work. However, I can create three separate "folders" that would work with the separate MacBooks. I didn't think that was possible. When I've used TM in the past, and I use it wired to a G5 Tower, it formatted the entire drive specifically for the backup. And I haven't found any instructions on using sections of a drive.

 

Before I spend any money, I wanted to make sure that what they are describing is possible.

Can you link Time Machine to specific folders on an external?

 

If anyone has a different suggestion, that would be welcome too.

 

Thanks.

Posted on Feb 5, 2016 8:51 AM

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Q: Multiple Laptops, Wireless Externals and Time Machine

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  • by Eric Root,Solvedanswer

    Eric Root Eric Root Feb 5, 2016 9:05 AM in response to Paul Trautwein1
    Level 9 (69,803 points)
    iTunes
    Feb 5, 2016 9:05 AM in response to Paul Trautwein1
    Can you link Time Machine to specific folders on an external?

     

    Yes. I back up 2 computers to a Time Capsule that isn't partitioned.

     

    Apple officially supports Time Capsules for Network backups. If you look in the refurbished section of the Apple Store, you can get one for a reduced price with the same warranty as a new one. After trying a couple of other brands for backing up to Network backups, I switched to all Time Capsules and in my experience, they just work.

     

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  • by Paul Trautwein1,

    Paul Trautwein1 Paul Trautwein1 Feb 5, 2016 5:54 PM in response to Eric Root
    Level 2 (165 points)
    Feb 5, 2016 5:54 PM in response to Eric Root

    Thanks. That's the answer I was looking for.

     

    I'll look into a refurbished TIme Capsule. The price for a new one is twice the cost of the Western Digital product, but having the warranty and support might make it worth it if I can get it for less.

     

    Thanks again.

  • by Eric Root,

    Eric Root Eric Root Feb 6, 2016 6:18 AM in response to Paul Trautwein1
    Level 9 (69,803 points)
    iTunes
    Feb 6, 2016 6:18 AM in response to Paul Trautwein1

    You are welcome.