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Dropbox or Google Drive?
- Thread starter dmk1974
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I use both but when it comes strictly to documents, I prefer Google docs. You have versioned documents... you can keep track of changes / what other users have changed / added / removed + it has some nice real-time features
I was one of the first users of Google Drive when it came out. The app is terribly inefficient, uses GIGABYTES of memory when uploading anything of size and likes to sit using 100% CPU for whatever reason. It looks like they've since fixed the CPU issues (3 months after it came out) but it still takes forever for things to update from one end to the other.
My issues for the first three months when Google Drive came out included 30 minutes of 100% CPU while Google Drive was checking the web for updates. Average of hours for a change that I made on my laptop to appear on my desktop (sitting 1 ft from my laptop) - up to 3 hours for a file change to appear even though I could go to the web Google Drive and see the change. Takes FOREVER to upload anything. Took over a week to upload 50+GB. Dropbox took one night. Upload anything and it took 100% cpu.
I recently downloaded Google Drive again and it looks like they semi fixed the CPU issues, uses 10% vs Dropbox's .2%... but no... you get what you pay for. Google Drive may be cheaper but I like having my file changes instantly. Dropbox is a MUCH more refined cloud service.
I've used them all - from JungleDisk, to SugarSync, to OpenDrive, to Skydrive, to whatever ... Dropbox is the best by far.
My issues for the first three months when Google Drive came out included 30 minutes of 100% CPU while Google Drive was checking the web for updates. Average of hours for a change that I made on my laptop to appear on my desktop (sitting 1 ft from my laptop) - up to 3 hours for a file change to appear even though I could go to the web Google Drive and see the change. Takes FOREVER to upload anything. Took over a week to upload 50+GB. Dropbox took one night. Upload anything and it took 100% cpu.
I recently downloaded Google Drive again and it looks like they semi fixed the CPU issues, uses 10% vs Dropbox's .2%... but no... you get what you pay for. Google Drive may be cheaper but I like having my file changes instantly. Dropbox is a MUCH more refined cloud service.
I've used them all - from JungleDisk, to SugarSync, to OpenDrive, to Skydrive, to whatever ... Dropbox is the best by far.
I have both.
The real strength of Google Drive is ability to edit documents in the browser as well as concurrent document editing with other persons. Otherwise, IMO, there's no reason to reject either of them.
I have it, with about 25gb storage but the interface sucks big time. Its more like an online backup rather than a file-centric storage service. So I hardly use it.
I use Dropbox. Haven't used Google Drive yet (nor do I plan to, Google's privacy policy irks me)
Personally, I really like how seamlessly Dropbox integrates with OSX. It's as simple as another folder in your home directory that is synced automatically.
I also like how the iconography for the menu bar and favorites column sit in uniform with the rest of OSX's default icons. It makes for a compelling, integrated experience, as if Dropbox were actually built into OSX.
The resource usage should also be mentioned, as Dropbox is very efficient, never using more than 40mb of memory. This is certainly a plus as I can leave dropbox up in the background while running more resource intensive apps without a perceivable slowdown.
Overall, Dropbox is simple and I would certainly recommend it.
Personally, I really like how seamlessly Dropbox integrates with OSX. It's as simple as another folder in your home directory that is synced automatically.
I also like how the iconography for the menu bar and favorites column sit in uniform with the rest of OSX's default icons. It makes for a compelling, integrated experience, as if Dropbox were actually built into OSX.
The resource usage should also be mentioned, as Dropbox is very efficient, never using more than 40mb of memory. This is certainly a plus as I can leave dropbox up in the background while running more resource intensive apps without a perceivable slowdown.
Overall, Dropbox is simple and I would certainly recommend it.
Dropbox
I don't care about how Google operate. Dropbox is superior because the UI, software, and features are simply superior to anything out there.
I don't care about how Google operate. Dropbox is superior because the UI, software, and features are simply superior to anything out there.
I've been using Dropbox with great results for some time now.
My second favorite is Drive. Yes it uses more resources, but I've got all my macs loaded with ram & high capacity SSD's so that's no problem. As far as the paranoia around Google's honesty & full disclosure "we own your data" it's really no different than any other, it's just that Google doesn't cloak it in legalese. If you're worried get off the web ASAP.
Besides, if paranoia is your thing, do yourself a favor & read up on "big data" ie: data collection companies that rather silently fly under the radar (so far) collecting everything about you & millions around the globe. Even from those that don't have a computer.
Think that's bad? It would really surprise many if you only knew what your insurance company knows about you.
We're living in the era of targeted marketing, hi-tech is our best friend or worst enemy all depending on how you choose to view it.
Finally, Sky Drive is also quite good. I've been using it since before they reduced the amount of free space, yet don't let that deter you, MS has done a great job with this Azure based service.
My second favorite is Drive. Yes it uses more resources, but I've got all my macs loaded with ram & high capacity SSD's so that's no problem. As far as the paranoia around Google's honesty & full disclosure "we own your data" it's really no different than any other, it's just that Google doesn't cloak it in legalese. If you're worried get off the web ASAP.
Besides, if paranoia is your thing, do yourself a favor & read up on "big data" ie: data collection companies that rather silently fly under the radar (so far) collecting everything about you & millions around the globe. Even from those that don't have a computer.
Think that's bad? It would really surprise many if you only knew what your insurance company knows about you.
We're living in the era of targeted marketing, hi-tech is our best friend or worst enemy all depending on how you choose to view it.
Finally, Sky Drive is also quite good. I've been using it since before they reduced the amount of free space, yet don't let that deter you, MS has done a great job with this Azure based service.
I used Dropbox for years but switched to SkyDrive when the Mac app was released. 25GB for free? Can't complain with that. It's available on plenty of platforms, and developers are starting to support it in their apps (thank you GoodReader!). Being able to edit documents anywhere is pretty nice too.