There have been issues with this method though, so it's better to stick with exFAT IMO. Cheaper too.
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A few questions about the Mac Pro
- Thread starter dh2005
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I don't have an issue with paying for software, but I actually felt dirty at the thought of having to pay for NTFS write functionality. Oddly enough when I bought a Samsung mini external HDD they apparently have an NTFS driver on their website so that you can use it on OSX and it's mentioned in the documentation. I haven't bothered to check it out and simply reformatted into exFAT.There have been issues with this method though, so it's better to stick with exFAT IMO. Cheaper too.
Do you have any real world experience with NTFS vs exFAT in terms of speed/reliability? I've not noticed anything but I don't have the same uses or experience in this area as you do.
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I back up my exFAT drives using the tried and tested copy and paste method.
Surely something like Carbon Copy Cloner should be able to do this on exFAT volumes?
It's not a matter of paying for software for me either, especially as Paragon is only ~$20USD. Where I do have an issue, is paying for software that doesn't work properly, which is the case with Paragon from what I've seen and heard. So I won't support the product with purchases until the kinks are worked out. Maybe I'm just too picky, but I want stability with file systems.
As per performance for an HDD/SSD, it gets past the limitations of previous FAT specifications (save the 2,796,202 files per subdirectory issue exclusive to exFAT - not likely an issue for most users).
It's biggest limitation IMO, is it's only supported under more recent versions of Windows and OS X (natively; specific service packs/updates may be required, depending on the specific version of the OS).
There's a few other issues, which are relevant for removable media (what exFAT was actually designed for. Namely the ability to recover data if the media is removed during a write (read up on the exFAT wiki if you're interested).
Shhh, don't tell my Mac Pro that it can't use SSDs in a RAID 0.
This is bs. I have 2 OWC 240s in a RAID 0. It's awesome.
Software RAID using the included SATA ports in the MP is doable (just add disks, configure, and go).
Software implementations on 3rd party controllers and/or proper hardware based RAID controllers are another matter however, as they require EFI/EBC firmware in order to boot in a MP. Unfortunately, there's not a lot of products that provide this, and the few that do, aren't exactly cheap by most people's definition (i.e. RAID cards that boot start at ~$350USD, and can exceed $1200USD).
This may seem like nitpicking to you, but the differences are critical for those not using the built-in SATA ports (ICH) for boot volumes.
Thanks again, everybody.
I suppose all that remains, now, is to wait for the new Mac Pro. As I understand it, the new server-class Sandy Bridge CPUs are expected February/March so - if there is going to be an update - it'll happen around then.
If they don't update the Pro, well, I suppose it'll have to be another iMac. I've toyed with the idea of going back to PCs, and retaining my MBP for OS X matters; but I really don't want to do it. Here's hoping Apple don't force me to revisit that question...
I suppose all that remains, now, is to wait for the new Mac Pro. As I understand it, the new server-class Sandy Bridge CPUs are expected February/March so - if there is going to be an update - it'll happen around then.
If they don't update the Pro, well, I suppose it'll have to be another iMac. I've toyed with the idea of going back to PCs, and retaining my MBP for OS X matters; but I really don't want to do it. Here's hoping Apple don't force me to revisit that question...