GrandmaG Loc: Flat Rock, MI

Currently I back up manually to an external drive (2TB) and it is half-full. I have a Time Capsule but I lost all my backups when I changed internet providers and it won't work on the new network. I liked that it did automatic backups, but now I have to switch to my old network before it will do a backup. What a PIA.

I'm ready to move to a better backup system and I was considering the G-RAID with Thunderbolt connection. My other consideration is the CRU-DataPort RT220-3QR with 2 bays and 2TB Red SATO drives (3.5"). I also like the CRU-DataPort ToughTech Duo because it is portable (it uses 2.5" SATA drives)

I've searched this site and the internet and have not seen references to either of these systems. I know that there are dozens of other choices. I would be interested in feedback from anyone who uses the above-mentioned systems and also other systems that work well for Apple.

I'd like to stay under $1000 for the system and drives. Thank you in advance!

blackest Loc: Ireland

Your first choice looks pretty good on paper it seems to tick all the boxes. I like that you have a number of ways of connecting it with usb3 and firewire 800 as well as network attached. I assume you can connect directly to it as well as networked. Setup in raid1 it should be ideal.
raid 1 mirrors your data on 2 drives so if one fails the other still has your data and you can replace the failed drive and it will replicate the data to the second drive (this tends to be a slow job).

Do not use raid 0 it treats 2 hard drives as one but it also means if 1 drive fails you have lost all your data. Raid 1 has a 50% overhead so 2 x 2TB drives gives you 2TB of space. Higher Raid types can give you with 3 2TB drives 4TB of storage. However you may find the NAS to do this costs more than the amount saved by spending a little less on drives. I think your first choice is a good one. You could technically use 2.5" drives with it but there is no advantage to using laptop drives.

GrandmaG Loc: Flat Rock, MI

Thank you very much for your answer. Raid 1 is exactly what I want to do. I actually had my finger on the "buy" button; but decided to ask about it here first. I always get great help on decisions like this!

rmalarz Loc: Tempe, Arizona

I've been looking at G-Tech myself. You can get quite a lot of storage space for well under your financial limit. Another, if you are just looking for backups is Backblaze. They are very reasonable, reliable, and no upload per day limits.
--Bob

Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)

Synology and WD Re drives, not the Red series. Th Re's are more robust and provide better performance.

wmontgomery Loc: Louisiana

I like and use the CRU-DataPort ToughTech Duo but only for pictures. The great thing about it is the drives are mirrored and hot swap able so I use 3 drives. Drive 1 always stays in the unit. Drive 2 & 3 are rotated in and out with one of these stored offsite in my shop (separate building).
I backup my entire computer to a Drobo unit which is a raid device and to a cloud service.

GrandmaG Loc: Flat Rock, MI

Thank you for that. I have had trouble with WD drives in the past, but I will research the above drives you mentioned.

GrandmaG Loc: Flat Rock, MI

I also like that it is very portable. I would use 3 drives also and keep one off-site. CRU-DataPort also has a desktop unit that uses 3 1/2" drives which are less expensive than the 2 1/2" drives for the little unit.

I've read that these units work best when directly connected to the computer. I considered units that work well wirelessly.

What type/brand drives do you use in your ToughTech Duo?

wmontgomery Loc: Louisiana

I use Samsung solid state drive since I carry the unit with me at times along with a 15in MacBook Pro. Just got the newer unit which does not require an external power supply but have not had time to use it.

GrandmaG Loc: Flat Rock, MI

Yes, a SSD is better for travel! My LR catalog is on one!

GrandmaG Loc: Flat Rock, MI

Update. I went ahead and purchased the G-Tech (but not with thunderbolt connection). I found one for half price! I had to call support in order to set it up as RAID 1. It was easy actually. I just needed to download their software from their website. Works like a charm. Now every picture I ever took or ever scanned is on one device and backed up on the second drive! I will buy a third drive to make another copy for the safe deposit box.

Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)

Synology.