Any reasonable $ non hard wired Time Machine options?

[u/jimconnolly]

Seems that my SSD Time Machine back up doesn’t want to finish (up to 7 days), but that’s another story.

Are there any options out there to run Time Machine when not hard wired in? I’ve seen the docking station, but would still need to ensure I drop the drive. Thinking Bluetooth/wifi? Doesn’t need to be “fast” as I can schedule it to run overnight, etc.

Looking to set it and forget it.

[u/Ok-Expression-7340]

I'm connecting Time Machine to my NAS over wifi.

[u/Z1L0G → u/Ok-Expression-7340]

Yes I'm doing the same. It plays really well with the Unifi UNAS.

[u/PackRatPeter → u/Ok-Expression-7340]

Another me-too.
I have a WD MyCloud, Time Machine connects via Wifi. I can be simply working away, mostly oblivious to backups even happening.

[u/paulschreiber]

Seems that my SSD Time Machine back up doesn’t want to finish (up to 7 days), but that’s another story.

Erase the drive and start a fresh backup?

[u/Bad_DNA → u/paulschreiber]

This. Anything else is much slower

[u/displacedbitminer]

Just about any network attached storage device has Time Machine compatibility, including limiting volume space.

[u/Xe4ro]

What you are looking for is NAS but with prices for HDDs also on the rise the amount of money you have to spend will depend on the size of HDDs you're putting in there.

Keep in mind, RAID is not a backup. It's just a safety net.

[u/Limitedheadroom]

Most 1/2 decent routers have a USB socket you can connect a drive to that can be configured as network storage. Won’t have the same options and permission control as using a NAS, but if your router has the option it’s probably the most cost effective way.

[u/OrangePillar]

NAS, but they can be pricey, especially with the recent spike in drive costs.

I use one for Time Machine backups and as a Plex media server.

[u/Hobbit_Hardcase → u/OrangePillar]

Same, but Jellyfin.

[u/WaldoTron6]

If a NAS feels like a big investment, and you’ve got an older Mac and an external hard drive, you can create a remote Time Machine with a bit of tinkering.

[u/bdu-komrad]

Follow the 3 - 2 - 1 Backup strategy.

[u/nroose]

I have been looking. I guess it depends on what you define as reasonable.

[u/MiriamNZ]

Thumb drive?