Help Needed

NAP MBP 1 · Mar 16th, 2012, 06:11 PM

I have a Macbook Pro that has given great service but starting to have issues.
I also have an iMac that is my main unit.
I do not keep photos or music on the MBP.
The 120 G hard drive is 70% used.
I want to get an 11inch Macbook Air for size and weight.
My questions are:
- can I use a Firewire Drive for my files and just keep applications on the flash drive?
-If yes can I use Migration Assistant to move my personal and business files on the iMac to the firewire drive, I can then just take the firewire with me when I travel and have all my files with me.
-If this can be setup will Time Machine continue to back up the firewire drive?
Is there a better/simpler way to accomplish this objective?
I appreciate any help advice you experts can offer.
Thanks

Tech Elementz · Mar 17th, 2012, 09:04 AM

Why are you planning to install on the Macbook Air? To be honest, you should get the $1199 11" Macbook Air that comes with the 4GB of RAM and 128 GB SSD. You'll be more happy with that then the base line 11". However, if you aren't doing a lot of "intensive-ish" things, then the base model may be fine.

NAP MBP 1 · Mar 17th, 2012, 09:31 AM

Thanks TE. Had not considered that. Perhaps I should move up to the 13" 256G unit.
If I do that the external is not a issue.
Then the question is how to easily keep the iMac and MBA synched?
I have been using the Time Machine but find that cumbersome.
I have been looking at iCloud but am not clear that it will keep my Pages, Numbers and email synched.
Would the 13" 256 and iCloud better suit my objective?

Andrew Pratt · Mar 17th, 2012, 10:57 AM

Email is easy if you are already using cloud based email like iCloud or GMail etc. Files are more difficult but there are solutions out there to keep folders in sync. If you are just using Apple programs then iCloud is supposed to support syncing but I haven't used it so I'll let others comment on that.

As far as keeping apps and doc's on a separate drive...you could but it would be better to keep the app's local and just store some files on the external if need be. For a lot of us the files are fairly small...its things like video and iTunes or iPhoto that tend to gobble up drive space.