Interrelation between Cloning and Backup

In this article, I want to explain how to backup your Mac machine using method of cloning. Actually, many people argue that cloning is something different than backup or one can say not a method of backing up. However, I am agree that cloning is basically required to perform before upgradation to new drive, switching from old Mac to new Mac, test applications and ofcourse a great way to back up your drive.

Cloning refers to making an exact copy of your Mac drive, to an external drive, network drive and another Mac.

Here, I am not going deep into the many reasons that why cloning is essential on regular basis.

But, want to share you some expert recommendations on cloning backup methods, for both Windows and Apple Mac machines.

Relation between cloning and backup is -­-­- backups can be scheduled while cloning doesn't. While cloning is copying your all files and applications exactly same as they are such that you don't need to install those cloned applications in destination drive or machine again. However in backup you need to install all those application again in your destination drive.

So, if you want to replace your old drive with new one or want to switch to another Mac its better to clone your drive rather than backup.

Cloning creates carbon copy of your Mac drive and make you enable to create bootable clone of your Mac. Means you can start your Mac using your bootable clone of your boot drive in case your system is not booting or crashed, without leting you to stop your work.

Some recommended tool by experts to clone Mac drive are:-

• Stellar Drive Clone
• Carbon Copy Cloner
• Clonezilla
• Superduper

But, I have been using Stellar Drive Clone, so I will recommend this tool for Apple Mac users. I prefer this tool because of its easy interface and advanced features like:

• Create bootable clone of your Mac drive
• Create image and support SSD
• Give suppport to ExFat formatted files and MBR partition scheme

As discussed above Stellar Drive Clone is a cloning and imaging software. It is capable for creating bootable clone of your Mac within few clicks. Bootable backups are beneficial in situations when your drive corrupts suddenly in the middle of your work and you continue your work in a minute by booting your machine from your bootable backup stored at external drive.

Recommended windows cloning software are:

XXClone:Free tool

Its shotcoming is -­- it gives supports only to XP version not vista or window 7.

Seagate DiscWizard: Free tool

It give supports to Vista and Win7 but requires either Maxtor or seagate drive.