Backup method options for relative newbie?

[Fred Zed]

I attempted to use an external HDD to backup my M1 MBP 14 earlier, the device which is ExFAT isn't even recognized by my MBP, so I didn't get far using Time Machine. Shall I buy another external USB HDD and have it setup solely for this MBP ( current one has many PC files on it ) or perhaps use an Micro SD card? cheers

 

[appltech]

You should setup a separate drive for backups (Mac) with APFS instead of exFAT

 

[Fishrrman]

Get an external USB3 drive (can be platter-based or SSD).

Get either CarbonCopyCloner or SuperDuper (both are FREE to download and use for 30 days).

Use either one of these to create the backup.

 

[MarineBand5524]

I’d purchase another if you need those files. https://toolbox.iskysoft.com/hard-drive-recovery/format-hard-drive-for-mac.html

 

[KaliYoni]

I attempted to use an external HDD to backup my M1 MBP 14 earlier, the device which is ExFAT isn't even recognized by my MBP, so I didn't get far using Time Machine. Shall I buy another external USB HDD and have it setup solely for this MBP ( current one has many PC files on it ) or perhaps use an Micro SD card? cheers

I think SSD's usually are overkill for backups. For me, capacity is more important than speed so I use spinning HDs for my Time Machine (always connected) and Carbon Copy Cloner (connected once a week) backups.

Next, I use dedicated disks for backups. I view backups as a form of insurance so I don't want any other files or data on the disks. That both reduces disk usage and keeps my backups isolated from the daily use of my computer.

Something to keep in mind with SSDs, memory cards, and USB memory sticks is that solid state storage only lasts for a finite number of write operations. Essentially, each "cell" of memory degrades a little every time something is written to it. This means that larger capacity drives have the potential to last longer because writes are spread over a larger number of cells. It also means that for uses, such as backups, where speed is less critical than disk longevity, spinners often are a better choice.

 

[MarineBand5524]

I make sure I delete the local snapshots, use an external HD for time machine backups and have never had an issue.