Of the apps and services we look at here, Get Backup Pro is a simple and inexpensive backup tool, while ChronoSync, Carbon Copy Cloner and SuperDuper allow you to run incremental backups, through.
- Protect what matters. Backup your precious digital memories with Carbonite. Today: Limited time offer! 1-yr Carbonite Safe Basic Backup $83.99 50% OFF! Now $41.99/yr.
- Time Machine is Apple's backup solution, included in OS X. An external drive is required. It backs up changed files every hour, and stores as many 'snapshots' as it can hold. After the initial full backup, it.
Mac Backup Drive Reviews
Shopping for an ideal Apple Time Machine or MacOS storage solution? We feature Mac compatible backup drives with the latest Thunderbolt 3 and USB-C interfaces, as well as legacy Thunderbolt and USB drives using HDD hard disks and SSD solid-state flash memory.There's a lot of external Apple compatible backup drive options to choose from. Here's our top suggestions for your MacBook laptop or Macintosh desktop computer data backup needs:
USB-C USB 3.1 Apple Backup Drives
The latest USB interface standard features a new, reversible Type-C connection. With USB 3.1, the 5Gbps speed of USB 3.0 is doubled to 10Gbps when full 'Gen 2' chipsets are used. With an often included Type-C to Type-A cable or adapter, new USB-C drives can also be used on older Macs. Even if your current MacBook or Macintosh desktop computer doesn't have USB 3.1 capabilities in a Type-C port, you'll be glad you bought a USB 3.1 drive so you're SuperSpeed+ ready for your next system.Crucial USB-C SSD | A-Data USB-C SSD |
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Solid-State USB 3.1 Drive Reads to 1000Mbps | USB-C SSD For Macs FAST PCIe Flash Memory |
With flash memory prices collapsing, these Mac friendly USB-C SSD storage options are more affordable than ever and deliver unprecented data read/write speeds for auxiliary storage or Time Macine backups in MacOS.
ThunderBolt 1 - 2 - 3 Apple Backup Drives
There's now a great selection of fast and affordable ThunderBolt, Thunderbolt 2 and Thunderbolt 3 Apple backup drive solutions for more modern Macs. The first drives that came to market were expensive multi-drive RAID disk array models targeted to very data intensive high-end professional users. For Enterprise, Video Editing and Audio Production, ThunderBolt RAID drive arrays are the way to go.Samsung TB3 SSD | G-Tech TB3 SSD |
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Thunderbolt 3 SSD Fastest Mac Backups | Thunderbolt3 SSD Blistering Data Speeds |
For the average consumer, cheaper Thunderbolt Mac backup drives with 1st generation 10Gbps ThunderBolt ports and single HDD hard drive or SSD module are reasonably affordable for the Mac masses. Western Digital, OWC, Akitio and LaCie in particular are delivering a great selection of pro and consumer ThunderBolt drive solutions to date. Sadly, they're still priced at a premium over USB 3.0 or 3.1 storage: The cost of licensing Apple/Intel's ThunderBolt chipset easily adds $50 or more to any drive, enclosure, or ThunderBolt device.
Affordable USB 3.0 Apple Backup Drives
USB 3.x still retains backward Mac compatibility with older, legacy Macs at lower USB 2.0 and USB 1.1 speeds if needed. The cost of changing over to a USB 3x controller chipset has been utterly trivial. Unlike ThunderBolt, updating USB chipsets hasn't added any additional cost to USB 3.1 USB-C storage products.Combo-Interface Apple Backup Drives
There are currently a fair number of USB/Thunderbolt combo drives for a degree of flexibility between Macs and PC's when cross-platform use is desired.For older legacy Macs, Apple users might look for multi-interface Mac backup drives for the most flexibility. There's still a way to track down combo FireWire 400/800, USB 3.0, even eSATA combo drives and enclosures sitting in warehouses for those with legacy systems and workflows.
Combo HDD Drive | Versatile Mac Backup |
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Thunderbolt 3 + USB 3.1 Combo Hard Drive | Lacie D2 Tri-Interface USB3 + FW800 + eSATA |
For more recent Macs after 2012, a combo USB 3.0 + Thunderbolt drive is most likely to let you easily backup, transfer or share files with other Macintoshes or PCs.
Business and professional users with either an eSATA or USB3 ExpressCard in thier MacBook Pro laptop -- or USB 3.0 PCI card in thier Mac Pro tower may consider USB 3.0 or eSATA interface external drives for the fastest external transfer rates possible at the lowest price. Ideally the internal mechanisms should have a large 32MB or larger cache and spin at 7200 RPM or higher. Simply put, SuperSpeed USB 3.0 or eSATA matches transfer speeds as if the drive was internally and directly connected to the SATA bus.
Portable Apple Backup Drives
Mobile backup storage solutions are often preferred for not only by MacBook owners - but many Mac desktop users as well. A portable hard drive's small foootprint and low-power requirements allow them to operate from a single USB 2.0/3.0/3.1, ThunderBolt or FireWire cable. This eliminates the need for additional wires or power-supplies and transformers clogging up your life or hogging desk space. Apple compatible mobile backup drives can tuck away behind your Macintosh setup - or slip into a laptop travel case for peace of mind and data backup security on the go.USB3+FW800 Laptop Drive | WD Portable Drive |
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G-Tech Combo Drive FireWire 800 + USB3 | WD MyPassPort Ultra USB 3.0 Interface |