Mac storage help

[GS_BOTT]

Hi, first off I'm a bit of a computer numpty, but my daughter is looking for a storage device to back-up her music course-work and files, apparently her Mac is nearly full and needs to have it all backed up/moved so she can still add stuff to her laptop in class.

I don't really know what is required, or how to do it (but expect she will?) So can I just buy something like this or does it need to be an Apple product?? ££££'s Heard people talk about Apple 'cloud or passport' but not sure she/it has that facility? Will try and find out more if needed.

http://www.pcworld.co.uk/gbuk/data-...ives+/+Portable+External+Hard+Drives~14553716

http://www.dabs.com/products/wd-1tb...e-hard-drive-8MCL.html?q=apple storage&src=16

 

[k80matey]

Does her Mac have Time Machine available? If so piece of cake to set up with an external hard drive, and it automatically backs up.

 

[cookie]

time machine would be a great back up, but would not create any space.

she could get an external USB drive and partition it into two. then use one half for the Time Machine back up of her lap top and the other partition to offload files to clear space on the lap top.

then she'd need to back up the second partition somewhere else if those files were valuable.

forget about icloud and passport. neither will do what she wants. she could back up and store stuff in the cloud, but she'd need a good connection with a high uploading speed, plus it might not be a cheap solution.

 

[k80matey]

time machine would be a great back up, but would not create any space.

she could get an external USB drive and partition it into two. then use one half for the Time Machine back up of her lap top and the other partition to offload files to clear space on the lap top.

then she'd need to back up the second partition somewhere else if those files were valuable.

forget about icloud and passport. neither will do what she wants. she could back up and store stuff in the cloud, but she'd need a good connection with a high uploading speed, plus it might not be a cheap solution.

As I said - with an external drive.

 

[cookie]

you never said anything about creating space at all

 

[k80matey]

As I said - with an external drive.

I'm wrong - it won't create any extra space. Obviously too early for me.

 

[GS_BOTT]

Thanks, I believe she mentioned it has Time machine, I will get the external hard drive then, but don't know how to partition, will probably get her to transfer stuff, and then clear her music from the Mac. I take it one of the above drives are ok?

 

[TomBoyNI]

Both those drives will act as a time machine drive no problem.

Don't but the mac one though, you are paying an extra £0 for it to say 'for mac.'

If she doesn't need the portability, which I can't see why you would this is a fantastic deal for a 3tb drive, although it requires a plug.

I'd go for the 3tb drive as a time machine, storage drive, and then one of the WD to add portable storage.