CNET Editors' review
Dropbox for Mac is a Web-based storage location that syncs with specified files or folders on your Mac, allowing you to access them from anywhere. If you have two or more machines using the same Dropbox, changes to a Dropbox-tagged file will be synced on the other devices. Working across Mac, Linux, and Windows, Dropbox for Mac lets you access files even when miles away from your main machine (and even when its off).
To use Dropbox for Mac you need an account, although setting one up is easy. A free account is available that lets you sync 2GB. The Pro version costs $9.99 a month and supports over 100GB, while the Team version lets you sync 1TB (you get more space on each plan by referring new customers to Dropbox). To use Dropbox for Mac, a folder is created into which you copy folders and files (or pointers to files), and those are then synced with the Dropbox server. Obviously, you need an Internet connection to maintain the concurrency of those files, but any updates are synced as soon as you save. To access those files from another device, you install the Dropbox software and log in to your account. The files on the server are synced to your local device.
We've used Dropbox for Windows for quite a while now, and Dropbox for Mac provides a Mac client that lets us move our Office files around regardless of the laptop we're carrying. Once set up, Dropbox for Mac works cleanly and in background. We use it to access work files from home, and vice versa. In almost a year of use, we've never had an issue with Dropbox.
Publisher's Description
From Evenflow:
Have you ever wished that you could access your files from anywhere? We made Dropbox because we were tired of e-mailing files to ourselves or carrying around a USB key.
Once installed, Dropbox is just like any other folder on your computer, but with a twist. Any file you put in it will synchronize both to any other computers you may have on Dropbox, as well as to the web. Furthermore, any changes you make to any of your files will be sync'd up to all your other computers instantly, across Windows, Mac and Linux. Dropbox also makes it very easy to share and collaborate on files with others.
What's new in this version:
- Translations for Italian and Iberian Spanish
- New icons! (Retina support!)
- New Mac installer (just double click!)
- Faster startup time for Mac users with lots of files
- Improved web login from client
- Improved performance through use of Python 2.7 comments
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All versions:
4.6 starsout of 195 votes
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Current version:
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My rating:
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"Outstanding"
Version: Dropbox 1.4.21
Pros
For distribution of large files across your country or across the world
an outstanding program that lets you share with permitted users. A service you cannot do withoutCons
not one just 5star
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"Now being used for IOS/Mac sync which is very cool"
Version: Dropbox 1.4.21
Pros
Great for sharing of file and folders.
A place for cloud storage
Sync of IOS/Mac devicesCons
A little hard to figure out how this works.Definitely watch the short tutorial.
Summary
This is providing an nice alternative to iCloud sync, which I think is probably better but i believe there are some technical issues.
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"very poor!"
Version: Dropbox 1.5.22
Pros
used by many people arouned the world
Cons
When Files load, they don't give you an indication they are being loaded, so you just have to guess if it's happening or not, until they load.
If you want someone else to put something in your dropbox, even if you have purchased an infinite amount of storage, they can't do it, because of some obscure reason to do with sharing.
When you contact tech support (there is no phone support - that would be too easy), they direct you to a page, that has no bearin on the problem, instead of telling you what you need to do to allow someone else to place a file in your dropbox.
I am still dealing with tech support on this issue and will be prepared to change my evaluation if they can - easily - explain what needs to be done.Summary
Would not recommend this unless you are an advance computer user
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"Best interface yet"
Version: Dropbox 1.5.34
Pros
Easy to use
Cons
Wish I could get 5 GB free like Apple's iCloud.
Summary
I couldn't believe the simplicity of the pulldown menu. Getting rid of the text and using using symbols was brilliant.
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"CRASHITY-CRASH-CRASH"
Version: Dropbox 1.5.34
Pros
I've never backed up a file in my life and my aging laptop is beginning to reach critical mass. Dropbox came heartily recommended by friends and reviewers, so I was anxious to try it out. I was particularly attracted to the 2 free gigs of storage. Additionally, users who receive invites, which I did, get even more free storage. These were especially appealing since I lack the capital to purchase a hardware back-up and I have a lot of files that need backing up.
Cons
Sadly, I can't even look at the website. Not only does my browser crash, my entire operating system locks up. I have a Macbook Pro running OSX 10.5.8. It conforms with the system requirements. I tried going to dropbox.com on Firefox 15.0.1 and Safari 5.0.6 with the same result. I came to c-net to see if other users experienced the same difficulty, but I seem to be alone. So I downloaded it off downloads.cnet.com without issue until I tried to open the disc image. Crashola. Again. When I rebooted, the disc image was still open, and my resolution was screwed up. I did manage to get to Step 2, but when it asked me to open an account, I got scared and canceled. I don't feel like finding out what more could go wrong.
Summary
I'd love to try it. Too bad I can't.
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"Unacceptable automatic update !"
Version: Dropbox 1.5.34
Pros
It is useful and easy to use, but I am not willing that it'll install itself on my computer !
Cons
I am not sure how this happened, but without my permission the new version was installed on my MAC. This is the first time an application installed itself on my computer ever.
Summary
I am planning to get reed of this application altogether. APPLE please help to eliminate this type of applications from the MAC OS universe.
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"dropbox automatically updates you and it is at 1.4.17"
Version: Dropbox 1.5.33
Pros
great to see a new version is coming 1.5.33
Cons
this is not the official version that dropbox auto-magically installs when you actually have dropbox
Summary
CNET should say whether the version they tout as new is experimental or the latest that dropbox wants to call stable and PUSH out to subscribers/owners.
1.4.17 is the latest they have pushed to me as of sept 20 2012
I still love the 1.4.17 version on my lion 10.7.4 macs. -
"Wrong version"
Version: Dropbox 1.4.17
Pros
The latest version is 1.5.10
Cons
The latest version is 1.5.10
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"It just works"
Version: Dropbox 1.4.12
Pros
shares files between mac, pc, phones, anything.
Cons
minimal protection, be sure and encrypt folders you are saving
Summary
best file sharing around
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"This is an amazing product but can be improved"
Version: Dropbox 1.5.7b
Pros
Dropbox works wonders for all the people out there who want space online. Program syncs easily and works perfectly. Great for everybody wanting to cross sync.
Cons
You have to pay for more GB. Yes this is a way for Dropbox to make money, but the payment is ongoing, at $10 a month. Fortunately, this can be fixed with UltimateDropboxSolutions.co.cc, a site that I happened to stumble upon which allows you to buy Dropbox space outright, for example you could buy 5 GB, or 20, rather than having to get 50GB.
Summary
A great product which is perfect when used in conjunction with UltimateDropboxSolutions. :) very happy
