I would like to add more storage to my 2012 mac mini (running Mountain Lion 10.8).
I need a 4-bay enclosure supporting JBOD and having USB 3.0 connection (mac mini does not have eSATA and Thunderbolt is unnecessary and still commands a premium). RAID is also a bit too overrated for home use especially since I will be taking regular backups and the data is not critical.
I live in the UK so after a lot of searching I decided to stay away from all the cheap as chips brands such as Raidsonic, Sharkoon, etc
I have heard and read numerous stories about failures: Icybox, Sharkoon, Sans Digital, Fantec, Rosewill, Mediasonic, Raidsonic, Raidon blah blah blah
I am after an enclosure which is made of aluminium and is virtually SILENT (i.e. has temperature regulated fans).
The only companies I found in the UK that can supply empty enclosures that look serious are:
1. http://www.rentaraid.co.uk/stardom-...closure-with-esata-and-usb3-0-connectors.html
2. http://www.aimtec.co.uk/addonics-on...h-w-raid-tower-4-x-3-5-with-esata-usb3-0.html
product info here: http://www.addonics.com/products/rtm4r5eu3.php
Please help. Does anyone have experience with these products under Mac OS X and if so are they quiet? Speed is not an issue for me only stability and noise. This thing has to run on standby 24/7 so no dodgy power supplies, and heat issues etc)
I do not want to buy off the shelf products (g-tech, WD, Buffalo, LACIE, Caldigit) because they are expensive and restrictive. And they do not come empty which means I do not have control over the hard drive quantity and type.
I am planning on using Western Digital RED drives in them at 3TB. I will start off with one and then add another.
I will use one usb connection and mount 4 volumes in the operating system. 1. Time Machine backup
2. Movies
3. Music
4. Copy of most of the movie folder
I have no experience with a MAC or Time Machine - I just bought my first one.
I do not want to go NAS for the simplicity of direct storage (itunes, iphoto, ieverything etc)
I would like people with actual experience of these products to comment on reliability and noise (this machine will sit next to the Mac Mini in the living room so it has to be almost as quiet as the mini).
I hope I described my situation accurately and I am hoping that someone will say buy the Stardom because it looks reliable etc or someone will say Addonics are very good for the price and despite the screws for the HDDS it runs quiet once set up.
Please share your experiences.
I need a 4-bay enclosure supporting JBOD and having USB 3.0 connection (mac mini does not have eSATA and Thunderbolt is unnecessary and still commands a premium). RAID is also a bit too overrated for home use especially since I will be taking regular backups and the data is not critical.
I live in the UK so after a lot of searching I decided to stay away from all the cheap as chips brands such as Raidsonic, Sharkoon, etc
I have heard and read numerous stories about failures: Icybox, Sharkoon, Sans Digital, Fantec, Rosewill, Mediasonic, Raidsonic, Raidon blah blah blah
I am after an enclosure which is made of aluminium and is virtually SILENT (i.e. has temperature regulated fans).
The only companies I found in the UK that can supply empty enclosures that look serious are:
1. http://www.rentaraid.co.uk/stardom-...closure-with-esata-and-usb3-0-connectors.html
2. http://www.aimtec.co.uk/addonics-on...h-w-raid-tower-4-x-3-5-with-esata-usb3-0.html
product info here: http://www.addonics.com/products/rtm4r5eu3.php
Please help. Does anyone have experience with these products under Mac OS X and if so are they quiet? Speed is not an issue for me only stability and noise. This thing has to run on standby 24/7 so no dodgy power supplies, and heat issues etc)
I do not want to buy off the shelf products (g-tech, WD, Buffalo, LACIE, Caldigit) because they are expensive and restrictive. And they do not come empty which means I do not have control over the hard drive quantity and type.
I am planning on using Western Digital RED drives in them at 3TB. I will start off with one and then add another.
I will use one usb connection and mount 4 volumes in the operating system. 1. Time Machine backup
2. Movies
3. Music
4. Copy of most of the movie folder
I have no experience with a MAC or Time Machine - I just bought my first one.
I do not want to go NAS for the simplicity of direct storage (itunes, iphoto, ieverything etc)
I would like people with actual experience of these products to comment on reliability and noise (this machine will sit next to the Mac Mini in the living room so it has to be almost as quiet as the mini).
I hope I described my situation accurately and I am hoping that someone will say buy the Stardom because it looks reliable etc or someone will say Addonics are very good for the price and despite the screws for the HDDS it runs quiet once set up.
Please share your experiences.