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Is 512GB Enough?
- Thread starter tygurr
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I would say it's the bare minimum these days, especially if ever sync iOS devices to the computer. 128 is barely enough for the OS and apps, 256 runs out quickly.
Apple makes it really hard. I use a symlink to an external drive for the backup folder. If anyone has a better/supported option, would love to know as well.
When thinking of adequate storage, I often ask myself, “What would I grab on the way out if my house was on fire?”
This got me working on a project to move my external HDD backups to SSD late last year. I have cloud backups via iCloud, dropbox, and Evernote. Each serves a specific purpose. iCloud contains my most relevant/current files. Dropbox includes files I regularly share with others, and I use Evernote to scan/store my business/financial/legal documents. But even with that, I had a container of about 20+ HDDs some 20 years old and many many CDRs and DVDRs that have never been backed up.
Anyway to make a story short, between cloud storage and a pair of high capacity SSDs, I’m good. I still purchase my macs with 2TB standard but that is more for convenience and not necessity. If needed, I can work from a machine with 512GB or less.
This got me working on a project to move my external HDD backups to SSD late last year. I have cloud backups via iCloud, dropbox, and Evernote. Each serves a specific purpose. iCloud contains my most relevant/current files. Dropbox includes files I regularly share with others, and I use Evernote to scan/store my business/financial/legal documents. But even with that, I had a container of about 20+ HDDs some 20 years old and many many CDRs and DVDRs that have never been backed up.
Anyway to make a story short, between cloud storage and a pair of high capacity SSDs, I’m good. I still purchase my macs with 2TB standard but that is more for convenience and not necessity. If needed, I can work from a machine with 512GB or less.
If you are doing local backups of your smart devices (depending on capacity) and storing photos and music then I have found 1TB to be the minimum.
I prefer not to do backups via iCloud and I take the local backup file and encrypt it and upload it to another cloud storage.
I don’t trust Apple and their iCloud promises, if Apple cared about security and privacy as their marketing would make you believe for a long time it would have all been encrypted including safari data.
512GB is, in my opinion and what I've heard from family, friends, colleagues, about enough for the average computer user.
Not professionals who need several hundred GBs of assets and video at hand instantly at all times and don't want to carry and plug/unplug external drives all the time.
But for most, 512GB is great.
256GB would also be fine if you don't use the Mac for creative hobbies or working with large files.
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I have Apple One with 2TB of iCloud Drive space. Currently using perhaps 300GB. I believe the only way to 'backup' iCloud Drive is to make sure that you are not optimizing storage space for iCloud Drive on your Mac (so all files are on the Mac), then perform a Time Machine Backup. This took a large chunk of my 512GB drive.
Also, I tried backing up my 512GB iPhone 13 Pro and that took a chunk of space.
I'm thinking of buying an M2 Mac mini, and if I do I might go to 1TB for this reason.
Also, I tried backing up my 512GB iPhone 13 Pro and that took a chunk of space.
I'm thinking of buying an M2 Mac mini, and if I do I might go to 1TB for this reason.
I have gone through 3 or 4 of the 512GB MBP models with no issues; actually just ordered the 512GB, M2 16". I replace them every 3 years and yet to find the need for more than 512GB.
I mostly use the MBP for prototyping applications. I currently have a few dozen applications in various build stages, including all versioning and a couple thousand, non optimized images, locally. Code is auto-backed to the cloud.
My wife, on the other hand, will eat through 512GB pretty quickly. She does less coding and more bossy stuff. ( Personally, I think she just does not know where the trash can is - I am kidding - I do not know how or why she runs 750GB to about 900GB on her machine ).
You can do it through iTunes after setting up a symlink (aka a symbolic link). There are many youtube instructions on how to do it. You do need to press the "backup" button so it does not happen in the background automatically.
Ahh ok. Yea I’ve seen that method before. Can’t recall why I decided against it.
I guess I’ll stick with 1TB.
I've had 256gb for the last few years, which works for me. The next time I upgrade, however, I will be getting 512 to have some more breathing room and be able to download my photo library on device. It's a personal decision, but I think 512 is enough for most people.
I'm in the similar situation, deciding between the 512GB or 1TB M2 Pro.
On my 2019 16" Pro I had a 1TB drive but never filled it up beyond 250GB. Essentially I was paying for space I didn't need; just an expensive safety blanket. This is mostly with office work but I do use Parallels to run Windows in a VM. I also like keeping a copy of my photos and videos I take on my drive.
At the end of the day I think I'm going with the 512GB, since storage is the one thing that can "somewhat" be upgraded after the fact. External USB drives are cheap and fast now days. Benchmarks also show that the performance between drive sizes difference is minimal at best on the M1 MacBook Pros.
I've also looked at used M1 prices and from a resale aspect the 1TB upgrade cost will not be recouped.
This. It is absolutely worth confirming that your iOS backups aren't being stored to your boot drive. It's getting trickier to link the backup folder to an external drive, but can still be done.
It really should backup to the TimeMachine drive by default.
Yeah, you can link the backup directory to an external drive:
No, buy at least 1 TB version. Believe me you will need that space later.
I'm considering to buy iphone for 512gb just to have my deezer HiFi music library downloaded.
The only problem is that SD card memory is much slower and yes it's a separate disk.
But the plus is that you can easily take it out from MBP.
Kind of off topic, but titling the thread with an opposite question of the poll question is setting the poll up for failure. You titled the thread, “Is 512GB enough?” So I was getting ready to answer “no,” but the poll question asks if you’ve ran into space issues with 512GB, so then I had to switch my answer to “yes.”
Anyways, the last time I got 512GB on my 2018 MacBook Pro, I regretted it when it filled up rather quickly, and I told myself “never again.” Surprisingly, I only need 256GB on my iPhone and iPad.
If you’re ok with your other computer being your main storage device and only carrying essentials on the new MBP, you’ll be fine. Also, if you ever do fill up storage, it’s not as bad as the old days. iCloud storage and fast USB-C ports help add external space and make file transfers quicker and easier. Whatever you decide, enjoy your new device.
Anyways, the last time I got 512GB on my 2018 MacBook Pro, I regretted it when it filled up rather quickly, and I told myself “never again.” Surprisingly, I only need 256GB on my iPhone and iPad.
If you’re ok with your other computer being your main storage device and only carrying essentials on the new MBP, you’ll be fine. Also, if you ever do fill up storage, it’s not as bad as the old days. iCloud storage and fast USB-C ports help add external space and make file transfers quicker and easier. Whatever you decide, enjoy your new device.
Everything I have ever done in the last 40-something years is in there including photos (8846) and videos (564)
Stop collecting crap and data hoarding and your Apple bill stays down.
It's ok to delete things.
If you "need" a MacBook Pro then chances are you need more than 512 storage. (Code, video, music, pictures, data, analysis, games, VM's all eat space).
If you need a MacBook Air then 512 is plenty (mail, safari etc).
I get by with an old 256 GB MacBook Pro but I have the SD card slot stuffed with 512GB permanently. SD card is slow relative to SSD and yes I could update the internal SSD if I needed the speed. SD card works on the move when you can't rely on access to cloud drives. When I'm working on a project, I stuff the SD card with as much as possible to free up space. MacOS and application caches seem to have grown over the years. I know which caches are generally the best value to delete but it's a chore hunting them down time after time.
I want a new MacBook Pro (maybe don't quite need one) but I would be looking at the 1TB option minimum.
If you need a MacBook Air then 512 is plenty (mail, safari etc).
I get by with an old 256 GB MacBook Pro but I have the SD card slot stuffed with 512GB permanently. SD card is slow relative to SSD and yes I could update the internal SSD if I needed the speed. SD card works on the move when you can't rely on access to cloud drives. When I'm working on a project, I stuff the SD card with as much as possible to free up space. MacOS and application caches seem to have grown over the years. I know which caches are generally the best value to delete but it's a chore hunting them down time after time.
I want a new MacBook Pro (maybe don't quite need one) but I would be looking at the 1TB option minimum.
Not for the price you pay, but most likely for what you’re using it for.
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In simplest terms, no. A terabyte of storage will keep you covered for years. Our family tower PC had a 1tb HDD and we never filled it up in the years we had it til it went kaput (it was cheap).
Nowadays SSDs are all the rage and you have to pay your way to get back to the essential TB of storage. If you don’t want to upgrade for a good long while, you should cancel the order and opt for a 1tb model. Invest in your future.
Nowadays SSDs are all the rage and you have to pay your way to get back to the essential TB of storage. If you don’t want to upgrade for a good long while, you should cancel the order and opt for a 1tb model. Invest in your future.
My M1 MBP I select 512 because my 256 GB was so cramped after 5 years. But I think 512 should be the bare minimum in 2023. Very surprised Apple is still pushing 256 and 8 Gb entry level configs.
The downside is that if that drive disappears, bad things happen when you try to back up a device (and it can be painful to recover). Being able to relocate them 'officially' would be a nice feature to add.