View Full Version : Sparse image or sparse bundle?
techno
03-29-2010, 12:42 PM
The size of my MacBook's internal hard drive is always changing since I frequently take files on and off. I love the idea of a disk image backup that grows or shrinks with a Smart Update to accommodate any changes. I can't seem to see the difference between a sparse image and a sparse bundle. What should I use to backup my MacBook with Snow Leopard?
dnanian
03-29-2010, 02:08 PM
The backup image won't generally shrink, although it will grow... a sparse bundle is a collection of separate 'band' files, each of which is smaller than the whole drive, whereas a sparse image is one big file.
techno
03-29-2010, 02:26 PM
So I take it that it depends on the individual user's situation to say which one is better? Any general suggestion for a casual user making a complete backup on an external drive who runs Smart Update maybe once a week?
dnanian
03-29-2010, 04:52 PM
In general, on Leopard and Snow Leopard, use a Sparse Bundle... note, though, that some NAS devices don't support Sparse Bundles, and thus you'll need to use sparse images.
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