Where to hold all my files?

[Chubrubs]

Hello everyone, first time poster.

 

It is time to upgrade my computer. I am a graphic designer / video editor (not a ton, but some) / web developer, and I have been using an older Macbook for a few years no. Its time to get rid of this thing and upgrade.

 

I have become accustomed to the Mac ecosystem, and I would like to stay there. My question is about storage more than anything. I am going to be purchasing one of the new Retinal Mac Book Pro's, but one of the problems is the storage capacity of the devices. At first I thought this was going to be a huge issue, but I realize that this will force me to finally make a decision on how I want to handle all my data (and my clients data) in the long term (which I need to do anyway). I am tired (and scared of losing) my current laptop + a little backup disk - need to upgrade.

 

I honestly have no idea what to do. Should I have some office hard drive set-up that I plug into every time I use my computer, then sync that to dropbox? I mainly work from home, but I would like to be able to grab my files if I absolutely need to (That is why I thought dropbox would be a good decision).

 

I hope I have explained myself clearly. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

 

Oh, as of right now I have just under 1TB of data that I have to keep (cannot get rid of anything).

 

Thanks,

[thekeemo]

run a nas server

[TomvanWijnen]

Do you have to have a laptop? If not, a desktop can easily be fitted with multiple hard drives, and you can make a "hackintosh" out of it

[Boink]

Set up a nas and put your data there. Run only the stuff you need at the moment on the laptop.

[Altecice]

if setting up a NAS is too much for OP. Just use two external hard drives and backup to both of them?

[Scouten]

a small two bay NAS hooked up to a router should work for you you can access it like dropbox from anywhere since its connected to your internet line

[Chubrubs]

run a nas server

 

Set up a nas and put your data there. Run only the stuff you need at the moment on the laptop.

 

I don't know much about NAS, but I will start learning asap. So is this something that I would actually work on the files from (not the programs, just the files), or when working do I officially have to transfer them off of the Nas, work on them, then transfer back to the NAS?

 

If that is too in depth of a question just let me know, as I need to learn for myself.

 

 

Do you have to have a laptop? If not, a desktop can easily be fitted with multiple hard drives, and you can make a "hackintosh" out of it

 

I don't have to, but since I am using a mac, whether I go with a desktop or laptop I would still have this issue since expandability is not Apple's top priority.

[thekeemo]

I don't know much about NAS, but I will start learning asap. So is this something that I would actually work on the files from (not the programs, just the files), or when working do I officially have to transfer them off of the Nas, work on them, then transfer back to the NAS?

 

If that is too in depth of a question just let me know, as I need to learn for myself.

 

you connect to a nas via the local network also you can set up FTP so you can connect to it via the internet

[Chubrubs]

if setting up a NAS is too much for OP. Just use two external hard drives and backup to both of them?

 

a small two bay NAS hooked up to a router should work for you you can access it like dropbox from anywhere since its connected to your internet line

 

I think NAS is my solution. Need to do some research.

 

Thank you everyone for your help.

[KingDaddyDaniel]

A NAS is a great idea, but the costs may drive you away. I would recommend getting an external 2TB HDD for files you may need on the go

[Altecice]

I think NAS is my solution. Need to do some research.

 

Thank you everyone for your help.

 

Does your router have a USB port? if so you can get NAS set up easy

[Chubrubs]

Does your router have a USB port? if so you can get NAS set up easy

 

No, but I have been looking for a new router, good to know, thank you!!

[EmeraldFlame]

I don't know much about NAS, but I will start learning asap. So is this something that I would actually work on the files from (not the programs, just the files), or when working do I officially have to transfer them off of the Nas, work on them, then transfer back to the NAS?

 

You don't 'have' to move them from the NAS to your local computer. Things will work just fine over the network, but I would highly recommend you do while working on them. For most projects you would be working on, your home network would be a big bottleneck unless you have 10GBe through your house which I doubt.