Is Time Machine worth activating?

PsychologyGuy · PsychologyGuy #1 (**permalink**)

06-22-2010, 10:30 PM

Basically what the title says. Should I be running time machine on my mbp? Will it noticeably slow down my mac? Run the battery down any faster?
Thanks

schweb · schweb #2 (**permalink**)

06-22-2010, 10:39 PM

I use Time Machine, it's great for backups and getting things you might accidentally erase. Don't really notice any performance issues. Also, it shouldn't affect battery life since in theory you'd only be using it when connected to an external drive and AC power.

EndlessMac · EndlessMac #3 (**permalink**)

06-22-2010, 10:45 PM

Well it is a good idea to have a backup system which TM is. It shouldn't slow down your Mac and it only updates every hour if you keep it permanently connected and on. It shouldn't use up too much battery life if you use an external with its own power supply but I don't have TM on all day so I can't confirm that.

What I do is plug in TM once a night and do a backup because I don't always use my MacBook Pro at my desktop or next to electric outlets. In other words you don't have to have TM on all the time. You can manually do backups whenever you want. People who have desktop Macs can basically leave TM on all the time. If you don't use TM you should have some other form of backup.

PsychologyGuy · PsychologyGuy #4 (**permalink**)

06-22-2010, 10:50 PM

sounds great- couldn't have explained it any better.
Thanks a lot

TomTomTuning · TomTomTuning #5 (**permalink**)

06-22-2010, 10:53 PM

Time machine is great and has already saved me a few times. I deleted some very important files and locally Time Machine had them backed up.

I personally use a Time Capsule, so Time Machine runs over my WiFi.
The first time I connected it through the Ethernet cable so the initial backup went faster and now the small updates are super quick.

But if you don't have a Time Capsule and just connect an external hard drive to the computer, that works as well. Just connect it every now and then and it will automatically start the backup.

McBie · McBie #6 (**permalink**)

06-23-2010, 05:04 AM

Time Machine can be a life saver at some point ... a great return on investment I would say.

Cheers ... McBie

Collin Bl · Collin Bl #7 (**permalink**)

06-23-2010, 05:19 AM

If you have peeriods of inactivity then using Time Machine Editor allows the timing of back ups to be varied;
Download TimeMachineEditor for Mac - Change the one-hour interval of Time Machine backups. MacUpdate Mac Software Downloads

TattooedMac · TattooedMac #8 (**permalink**)

06-23-2010, 05:37 AM

But just remember TM isnt bootable .......
As well as TM you might want to look at SuperDuper or CCC~CarbonCopyCloner also as a backup strategy. Theses two Apps make a copy/clone of you HD so then in essence makes a bootable copy of HD.
You never know when your HD might fail, so if it does you can still use your Mac, via the bootable clone, until your new HD arrives. . . . . . . .
Just food for thought

A lot of people use TM as there primary Backup, and also have a CCC or SD bootable clone .....
Me being one ... Dont want to loose anything, anytime, anywhere

Cheers

Collin Bl · Collin Bl #9 (**permalink**)

06-23-2010, 05:43 AM

I use both Superduper and Time Capsule as well - even have an off site HD which rotates weekly with on site unit using this;
Voyager Q drive dock (Review)

TomTomTuning · TomTomTuning #10 (**permalink**)

06-23-2010, 08:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TattooedMac

But just remember TM isnt bootable .......
As well as TM you might want to look at SuperDuper or CCC~CarbonCopyCloner also as a backup strategy. Theses two Apps make a copy/clone of you HD so then in essence makes a bootable copy of HD.
You never know when your HD might fail, so if it does you can still use your Mac, via the bootable clone, until your new HD arrives. . . . . . . .
Just food for thought

A lot of people use TM as there primary Backup, and also have a CCC or SD bootable clone .....
Me being one ... Dont want to loose anything, anytime, anywhere

Cheers

Your right, TM isn't bootable but...

Once the damaged disk has been replaced.
Insert OSX disk
In the Installer, choose Utilities > Restore System from Backup.
Select your Time Mechine backup from the list.
Follow the onscreen instructions.

It will reload your OS just like your last backup.

So if a disk does fail, you can indeed restore your computer to its previous state.

PsychologyGuy #1 (permalink)
Member Since: Jun 15, 2010 Location: Cincinnati, Oh Posts: 33 Mac Specs: 2010 MacBook Pro 2.4GHz Duo 4 GB Ram	06-22-2010, 10:30 PM Basically what the title says. Should I be running time machine on my mbp? Will it noticeably slow down my mac? Run the battery down any faster? Thanks 2010 MacBook Pro 2.4 GHz 4 GB Ram (First Mac and I love it!)
	QUOTE Thanks

schweb #2 (permalink)
Member Since: Oct 27, 2002 Location: Cleveland, Ohio Posts: 13,213 Mac Specs: MacBook Pro \| LED Cinema Display \| iPhone 4 \| iPad 2	06-22-2010, 10:39 PM I use Time Machine, it's great for backups and getting things you might accidentally erase. Don't really notice any performance issues. Also, it shouldn't affect battery life since in theory you'd only be using it when connected to an external drive and AC power. schweb \| community leader flickr » facebook » twitter » tumblr » google+ » about.me Mac-Forums: On Twitter \| On Facebook \| On Flickr
	QUOTE Thanks

PsychologyGuy #4 (permalink)
Member Since: Jun 15, 2010 Location: Cincinnati, Oh Posts: 33 Mac Specs: 2010 MacBook Pro 2.4GHz Duo 4 GB Ram	06-22-2010, 10:50 PM sounds great- couldn't have explained it any better. Thanks a lot 2010 MacBook Pro 2.4 GHz 4 GB Ram (First Mac and I love it!)
	QUOTE Thanks

McBie #6 (permalink)
Member Since: Apr 26, 2008 Location: Belgium Posts: 1,838 Mac Specs: 2008 MBP 17" - 10.8.2 & iPad - iOS 5.1	06-23-2010, 05:04 AM Time Machine can be a life saver at some point ... a great return on investment I would say. Cheers ... McBie " Everything should be made as simple as possible, but not one bit simpler. " A. Einstein The problem is not the problem. The problem is your attitude towards the problem. You understand ?
	QUOTE Thanks

TattooedMac #8 (permalink)
Member Since: May 19, 2009 Location: Western Astraya Posts: 6,462 Mac Specs: 13"MBP 2.9Ghz Intel Core i7 10.8.3 ~ iPhone5 6.1.3 ~ iPad Mini 6.1.3 ~ ATV2 5.2.1	06-23-2010, 05:37 AM But just remember TM isnt bootable ....... As well as TM you might want to look at SuperDuper or CCC~CarbonCopyCloner also as a backup strategy. Theses two Apps make a copy/clone of you HD so then in essence makes a bootable copy of HD. You never know when your HD might fail, so if it does you can still use your Mac, via the bootable clone, until your new HD arrives. . . . . . . . Just food for thought A lot of people use TM as there primary Backup, and also have a CCC or SD bootable clone ..... Me being one ... Dont want to loose anything, anytime, anywhere Cheers Dont forget to use the Reputation System if someone has helped you out !!! Arguing with a zealot is only slightly easier than tunneling through a mountain with your forehead!!!!!
	QUOTE Thanks

Is Time Machine worth activating?

Internet Services

Web Development

Digital Marketing

Consumer Tech

TomTomTuning #5 (permalink)
Member Since: Sep 26, 2008 Location: Camp Hill, Pa Posts: 497 Mac Specs: 15in MBP - 27in iMac - iPhone	06-22-2010, 10:53 PM Time machine is great and has already saved me a few times. I deleted some very important files and locally Time Machine had them backed up. I personally use a Time Capsule, so Time Machine runs over my WiFi. The first time I connected it through the Ethernet cable so the initial backup went faster and now the small updates are super quick. But if you don't have a Time Capsule and just connect an external hard drive to the computer, that works as well. Just connect it every now and then and it will automatically start the backup.
	QUOTE Thanks

Collin Bl #7 (permalink)
Member Since: Apr 07, 2009 Location: Napier NZ Posts: 3,273 Mac Specs: 27 iMac i5, 2.4 C2D MBP & iMac 20, 1TB dual TC, AppleTV, iPh4	06-23-2010, 05:19 AM If you have peeriods of inactivity then using Time Machine Editor allows the timing of back ups to be varied; Download TimeMachineEditor for Mac - Change the one-hour interval of Time Machine backups. MacUpdate Mac Software Downloads
	QUOTE Thanks

Collin Bl #9 (permalink)
Member Since: Apr 07, 2009 Location: Napier NZ Posts: 3,273 Mac Specs: 27 iMac i5, 2.4 C2D MBP & iMac 20, 1TB dual TC, AppleTV, iPh4	06-23-2010, 05:43 AM I use both Superduper and Time Capsule as well - even have an off site HD which rotates weekly with on site unit using this; Voyager Q drive dock (Review)
	QUOTE Thanks

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Time machine, space issues.	Jonik	OS X - Apps and Games	8	01-04-2010 03:46 PM
Time capsule (WLAN only,Compress rate of time machine)	jerryhilbert	Internet, Networking, and Wireless	1	01-02-2010 10:20 AM
A specific upgrade question - wipe & install, with Time Machine	herkalees	OS X - Operating System	1	08-27-2009 10:40 AM
Time machine - I need some advice before getting started.	davedave	Switcher Hangout	1	08-09-2008 10:25 AM
Is a Time Machine backup sufficient?	mossback	OS X - Operating System	5	01-04-2008 12:39 PM