How to backup Air to Mac Mini

[ShaneBunting]

Is there a way I can set my MacBook Air to automatically backup through Time Machine to the HDD in my Mac Mini?

Or would I need the Server version?

Thanks

 

[ShaneBunting]

bump

 

[Jambalaya]

Have you tried making the Mac Mini disk visible to the Air (via sharing) and then pointing Time Machine at it ?

 

[opinio]

You just share the HDD on your Mac mini and make sure it is mounted on the mac book air the first time you add it in time machine settings, thereafter, time machine will mount and unmount automatically when it does it's regular backup. You obviously need to keep the mini on if you want the time machine backup yo work.

 

[ShaneBunting]

Okay, thanks. Is the Mac mini efficient enough to keep on 24/7 without having a noticeable impact on the electric bill?

 

[opinio]

Yes. Very efficient. My 2.6ghz idles at about 5 watts from memory. You can check the wattage with Intel Power Gadget App.

 

[Weaselboy]

Is there a way I can set my MacBook Air to automatically backup through Time Machine to the HDD in my Mac Mini?

Or would I need the Server version?

Thanks

https://www.apple.com/osx/server/features/#time-machine

You need Server for Time Machine backup over the network to another Mac. You might be able to get it working by sharing, but it is not a supported solution and will be unreliable.

 

[blueroom]

Or get a good NAS that supports TM and backup both.