Backup drive for Mac to Time Machine

Av8 · 5 Oct 2022 at 16:57

Hi all,

I'm looking into getting a new drive for backup to Time Machine, my question is can I use an NVME M.2 without any issues instead of a physical HDD?

I'm using Mac OS Ventura beta at the moment and backing up to a Samsung USB drive have had a few issues in the past but good now, so with the advance of the software of Mac OS I'm thinking a better/faster drive will be more future proof than a HDD.

Any thoughts please?

Av8

Av8 · 5 Oct 2022 at 17:51

Thanks guys, think I'll stick with a backup directly connected to my iMac via usb c. Was tempted to go down the networked route like you do, but due to factors of space for a NAS etc the smaller space required I can hide the drive out of sight. Thanks again for input.

Av8 · 5 Oct 2022 at 19:09

ChrisD. said:
Plus restores from NVMe are extremely quick compared to from a consumer NAS. Just don't forget if the drive dies, you lose your backups so perhaps get a cheap HDD based drive to alternate with.

Have these drives got high failure rates? I've not seen anything suggested anywhere, but maybe I've not been looking around to find out more.

Av8 · 5 Oct 2022 at 20:16

ChrisD. said:
No but you could misplace it, drop it in water or otherwise damage it. You’re only as good as your last backup.

Ah ok, fortunately it would be in a small external caddy on the back of my desk so I should be ok as such.