Partitions or Volumes for External HD Backups for M1 Pro/Max

[PeterLC]

I have two external WD hard drives - a 6TB and a new 8TB. I am wanting to have MBP backup(s) on each drive, having used Disk Utility and SuperDuper for years. Having just heard about Volumes rather than Partitions to isolate drives, and therefore not familiar with pros and cons of each, I'm just wondering what would be the wisest way to configure, at least my newest, external hard drive, and why, please.

 

[satcomer]

Depends! if you have a PC too maybe you want to aces one of drives? Beside if you use one program on one drive and the other program on the other!

 

[PeterLC]

Depends! if you have a PC too maybe you want to aces one of drives? Beside if you use one program on one drive and the other program on the other!

No, I don't have any other computers to backup or otherwise use the external drive(s) for. I want to divide the drive(s) up to isolate photos and other data from my MBP but wish to have two distinct drives for backups. I've been told I do not need to partition a hard drive so am just trying to figure out the best solution.

 

[satcomer]

Don't partition an APFS formatted drive! Like I said before use one program on one drive and the other on the other drive! I say this because you see which program is better in your eyes while doing two backups ( just not at the same time)!

 

[chabig]

Definitely don't partition an APFS drive. Use Volumes to separate the data.