Question about Apple Time Machine?

Question

Time machine uses an external drive as a backup. I'm getting a notebook soon, and that drive might not be plugging in at all times. Will Time Machine still work, or will it reset every time I unplug my external drive?

Answer 1

Time Machine backs up the files on your external hard drive and keeps a note of the files which are backed up. You can unplug the drive as long as it is not in use by any program, then plug it back in to use Time Machine. It does not reset on each disconnection because the files are stored on the external hard drive itself.

Bottom line: You can restore files and backup as long as the external hard drive is plugged in. If it is not plugged in, Time Machine would not start.