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Speed Limitation of Time Machine: Interface, External Drive or TM Itself?

J

jmFightSpam

macrumors regular
Original poster
Aug 24, 2007
115
0
jmFightSpam said:
I was just wondering if the speed limitation for Time Machine is the interface, or Time Machine itself?

I am thinking of getting a 750 GB Iomega external hard drive:

http://store.apple.com/us/product/TQ587ZM/A?fnode=home/shop_mac/mac_accessories/storage&mco=MTQ2NDc5

But, I read some reviews saying it was slow.

Is that because the drive is slow, USB 2.0 is slow or Time Machine is slow? Is Firewire 400 faster?

Is the Iomega an OK drive to get?
Click to expand...
USB 2.0 is slower than FireWire for large, sustained transfers (like the kind Time Machine does) but faster for small bursts. FireWire 800 is faster than both however. Therefore, I'd say the speed limit is the interface connecting the drive to the computer.
 
wrldwzrd89 said:
USB 2.0 is slower than FireWire for large, sustained transfers (like the kind Time Machine does) but faster for small bursts. FireWire 800 is faster than both however. Therefore, I'd say the speed limit is the interface connecting the drive to the computer.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the reply. So you would really only be really slow on your first backup, right? Doesn't Time Machine do incremental/differential backups so it only backs up new or changed stuff?
 
jmFightSpam said:
Thanks for the reply. So you would really only be really slow on your first backup, right? Doesn't Time Machine do incremental/differential backups so it only backs up new or changed stuff?
Click to expand...
Yes, Time Machine does do that - but you're still better off using FireWire 400 instead of USB, even in that case.
 
For a little more that the Iomega, I'd recommend an OWC drive:
http://eshop.macsales.com/item/Other World Computing/MAU8F7750G16/

I have the 500GB version and it's great. This one has USB FW400 and FW800.

If you are sure you only want USB and FW400, you could save a little and get this model:
http://eshop.macsales.com/item/Other World Computing/MAU4S7750G32/

Here's their page on all the models available:
http://eshop.macsales.com/shop/firewire/1394/USB/EliteAL/800+USB2/

Great company to deal with.

-Kevin
 
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