Additional storage

[Sdevante]

I just bought a Mac Mini to set up as a media server. I am looking at storage solutions and am considering a Raid 5 box, but the math works out to about $540 for 4.5 TB, without a backup.

For about $220, I can get two external 3 TB drives. Granted, its 1.5 TB less and USB instead of firewire, but that is a lot less money.

Is there any reason why a home user should go Raid over separate external harddrives?

Thanks

 

[MrCheeto]

Why RAID?

Redundancy
Speed
Ease

 

[-tWv-]

Although a RAID setup will make things a little easier, I don't think that its worth all the extra money, especially for a home user. I think the 2 1.5TB drives will be fine. Save the money and use it for something else

 

[MrCheeto]

Don't forget that you could buy those cheaper drives and create a RAID array in Disk Utility.

 

[gusmahler]

RAID 5 is slower than bare drives and it's not easier (there's basically no setup if just adding a few drives to the system).

Redundancy is obviously in RAID 5's favor, though

 

[Sdevante]

Thanks for all the assistance! One more question, and I think Ive got it figured out.

I found a good deal on a Raid enclosure, but its Esata only. Would it be possible to buy an esata to usb adapter and use the array? Speed isnt terribly important as long as Usb is sufficient to stream Itunes, which my research suggests it is.

Thanks again!