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320GB or 500GB Hard drive - What do I need?

A

Andy348

macrumors 6502
Original poster
May 18, 2009
423
0
Montreal
I'm looking to expand my 120GB HD. I've just started using Parallels with Windows 7, and since it worked phenominally, I would like to use Bootcamp and load a couple more OS's. I figured I need some more space.

I've been reccomended by a couple people to look for a Seagate 7200rpm drive. I've found a 320GB and a 500GB. I'm looking to load Vista, XP, Windows 7, Leopard (obviously) and maybe one more. Since I've never used Bootcamp, how much space should I allocate for each OS? Leopard will be my main OS and the Windows OSes will only have programs.

As of right now, I'd say I use approx. 75-90GB of space on Leopard, after deleting approx. 30GB of stuff.

Thanks!
 
Go for bigger - it will save you the hassle of moving everything if you later decide that the 320 just isn't enough.
 
Last week I installed this 500GB drive in my daughters mpro, replacing the stock 160GB it came with 3 years ago.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136314

Followed the ifixit guide. The hardest part was removing the top cover to the laptop. The front of it just didn't want to come off. Then it decides to fly off and yanks the connecting cable right out of the socket. Luckily no damage done. The rest was routine. I had cloned the drive, and it booted first try. Did the bootcamp thing and restored my backup of XP.

Daughter's is very happy with that drive. Someone will sure point out (so I will) that it is a 5400rpm drive and not the faster Seagate 500GB 7200.
 
Of course it will, why wouldn't it? Same drive, just 320 GB rather than 500GB...

Which would bring me to my next question, the drive is the same, besides the size, so how would one be better than the other?? Might as well stick with the 500GB unless money is the only deciding factor.
 
Tomorrow said:
There's a saying - Hard drive space is like money: there's no such thing as too much.
Click to expand...

Unfortunately, hard drive space also costs money. No point in paying for what you're not going to use. My iBook came with a 10 GB hard drive in it. That failed a few weeks ago, so I replaced it with a 40 GB drive I had sitting around. I still only use 10 GB of it.
 
firstapple said:
Of course it will, why wouldn't it? Same drive, just 320 GB rather than 500GB...

Which would bring me to my next question, the drive is the same, besides the size, so how would one be better than the other?? Might as well stick with the 500GB unless money is the only deciding factor.
Click to expand...

Money is somewhat the deciding factor. I think I'll allow maximum of ~30GB per partition, so call it 90GB for partitions. I'd still have ~210GB for Leopard, which is more than enough.

Tomorrow said:
There's a saying - Hard drive space is like money: there's no such thing as too much.
Click to expand...

I agree, yet the 500GB is known to use a lot more power, make more noises and make everything vibrate. I'd rather have a 320GB + 500GB External then a 500GB internal that I'm not happy with.

BlueRevolution said:
Unfortunately, hard drive space also costs money. No point in paying for what you're not going to use. My iBook came with a 10 GB hard drive in it. That failed a few weeks ago, so I replaced it with a 40 GB drive I had sitting around. I still only use 10 GB of it.
Click to expand...

I agree. I used a 20GB HD in my iBook and it worked like a charm - now I'm using my MacBook and I can't live without atleast 120GB!
 
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