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User profile for user: Hamptongar
Hamptongar Author
User level: Level 1
12 points

Best SSD for archival backups

I use SSD's for various types of backups. One is attached to each of my machines (MBP 16 and Mac mini M4 Pro) for constant Time Machine backkups and I rotate some others for archival backups that go into a safe or off site. I'm using a mix of Sandisk Extreme and Samsung T7's with no issues to date. I needed to add drives due to the age of some of the SSD's and got two Kingston XS1000R's. Both had issues. One with a calbe that didn't work and the other crashed 90% into the initial feed. Obviously not a good idea for archival work. So, curious if you have a favorite, reliable SSD brand that you use and have used and would recommend going forward. Or...shall I just stick with the Samsung T7? Oh...all the drives are 2T.


Thanks for your thoughts

Andrew

Mac mini, macOS 15.1

Posted on Jan 2, 2025 9:25 AM

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1 reply
User profile for user: Tesserax
Tesserax
User level: Level 10
153,468 points

Jan 2, 2025 10:00 AM in response to Hamptongar

From my experience, when choosing an external SSD for Time Machine (TM) archival backups, reliability, speed, and macOS compatibility are the most important factors.


As such, here are some suggested SSD brands/models and features for you to consider (you already mentioned two of them):


  • Samsung T7 Shield / T7 Touch / T7
    • Data throughput: up to 1,050 MB/s
    • IP65-rated (T7 Shield)
    • Supports exFAT or HFS+ formatting for TM.
    • Connections: USB-C (10Gbps) and USB 3.2 Gen 2 compatibility.


  • SanDisk Extreme Portable SSD V2 / Pro V2
    • Data throughput: up to 2,000 MB/s for the Pro model
    • IP55-rated
    • Pre-formatted in exFAT. Can also support HFS+
    • Connections: USB-C and USB-A adapters are included.


  • Crucial X8 / X9 Pro
    • Data throughput: up to 1,050 MB/s
    • Will need to be reformatted for HFS+
    • Connections: USB-C (10Gbps)


  • WD My Passport SSD (2023)
    • Data throughput: up to 1,050 MB/s
    • Will need to be reformatted for HFS+
    • Connections: USB-C with USB 3.2 Gen 2 support.


  • LaCie Rugged SSD Pro / LaCie Portable SSD
    • Data throughput: up to 2,800 MB/s with Thunderbolt 3
    • IP67-rated
    • Connections: Thunderbolt 3/4 and USB-C.


  • OWC Envoy Pro FX
    • Data throughput: up to 2,800 MB/s
    • IP67-rated
    • MIL-STD810G drop tested rating
    • Connection: Thunderbolt and USB-C. A USB-A adapter is included.
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Best SSD for archival backups

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