How to Restore 3TB on a 4TB Drive: A Review of Backblaze

As a long-time user of NAS (Network Attached Storage) devices, I've had my fair share of experiences with data loss and recovery. Recently, I've been exploring the option of using Backblaze, a cloud-based backup service, to supplement my current setup.

For those who may not be familiar with Backblaze, it's a subscription-based service that allows you to back up your files to their cloud storage. While NAS devices can be backed up using Business plans, Time Machine is not included in the backup process – which is how I currently use my NAS boxes.

I like the pricing of Backblaze, with options starting at $7 per month for 70GB and going up to $130 for unlimited storage. However, I see no need for the extra $24 annual fee to keep everything forever. It's worth noting that Backblaze now recommends using it alongside Time Machine, which is a positive development.

One of the limitations of Backblaze is its inability to backup TM drives or MacOS files – although this may have changed with the recent release of Ventura on a separate Volume on the System drive. Nevertheless, I'm impressed by the service's ability to back up TB externals, and I might consider using it in conjunction with my current setup.

In the past, I've had some close calls with data loss, including the time I used a 3-part invoice in my pin-feed ImageWriter II and had to restore missing data from paper. Fortunately, my tape backup worked well enough to recover all but 121 FileMaker invoices to my new 40mB drive.

For those looking for an alternative to Backblaze, Western Digital (WD) offers a range of NAS devices that support Time Machine right out of the box. I currently use a WD device connected via Ethernet and WiFi router to back up all six Macs in my network to three TM drives.

While Thunderbolt-compatible devices may seem appealing, I believe it's just marketing nonsense designed to sell cheaper components. In reality, Thunderbolt is a certified and licensed technology by Intel that can be affected by hardware issues.

In conclusion, Backblaze is an excellent option for those looking for a cloud-based backup solution. While it has its limitations, the service offers competitive pricing and reliable data storage options. I'm considering using it in conjunction with my current setup to ensure my files are safely backed up.

Backblaze restore 3 tb on 4 tb drive