external drive/stoarge for music and media files

[shoeshine]

hey,

i am the proud owner of a new 13" mac book pro, which i am about to install a OCZ Vertex 2 120GB SSD in. I'm am trying to figure out my best options for media storage NOT on the SSD which will really only be system files and my email as I mostly work off a shared server in the office for my documents. I'm also going to use the stock HD in a FW800 mini enclosure for time machine backups.

I do however have an itunes library on my computer, as well as some movies which i was thinking i would transfer to a small external storage device, either a SD card or USB stick, probably a 16 or 32GB size. i don't need any more than that, and would prefer something small and unobtrusive i can use to keep from constantly transferring media files on and off my computer. in terms of performance and reliability, which option would be the better? are read/write speeds any faster or slower on one over the other?

thanks!

 

[andalusia]

Speeds are better via the USB option. The SD Card reader in the MBP's are 240Mbit/s, whilst USB2 is 480Mbit/s.

 

[Hellhammer]

Speeds are better via the USB option. The SD Card reader in the MBP's are 240Mbit/s, whilst USB2 is 480Mbit/s.

In real world, USB 2.0 is not able to achieve those speeds. A normal speed for USB 2.0 HD is ~35MB/s and the fastest USB thumb drives can barely hit 30MB/s, mainstream drives having speeds of 20MB/s or so. Anyway, there won't be a huge difference in speed between SD card and USB stick, do you want a dongle to stick out of an USB port or not?

Also, 32GB SD card will cost you around 100$ while 32GB USB flash drive can be had for about 50$

 

[shoeshine]

thanks guys. i can live with the USB dongle depending on size. I don't think those speeds are going to make much of a difference just for an itunes library, so i may go with the cheaper cost per GB USB stick option.

Any tips on best brands for USB sticks or Sd cards in the 16 or 32gb range? i know speeds and quality can vary greatly.

 

[andalusia]

Any tips on best brands for USB sticks or Sd cards in the 16 or 32gb range? i know speeds and quality can vary greatly.

Sandisk are pretty decent. Good reputation, I have a USB from them and it performs great. Check 'em out