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External Hard Drive Recommendation for rMBP (iPhoto)

N

nowstime

macrumors regular
Original poster
Jul 2, 2008
164
0
Hi!

I'm loving my new rMBP but having a space issue. I wish I could get the 526GB model but just too much for me.

I have a Firewire 800 WD hard drive but since the rMBP's adapter for firewire is not out yet, I'm planning to get a 3.0 external hard drive.

My main usage will be having photos and video on the external hard drive for editing (iPhoto and iMovie) and viewing video.

Will the USB 3.0 be fast enough for these type of tasks? By fast I mean not much lag during edits and viewing.

I have heard that USB 3.0 is fast but Firewire is more stable...not sure what it means so I'm debating between should I wait for the Firewire adapter or get an USB 3.0 external hard drive.

If I do get one planning to get WD 1TB USB 3.0 portable external hard drive. (might go full 7200 rpm if that's noticably faster than portable version's 5400 rpm).

Thanks in advance...
 
There are too much devices using USB so if you keep the USB external disk plugged in, only one USB port is left. I personally recommend you to make use of the two thunderbolt ports...
 
Any reputable USB 3.0 drive will do. Yes, it's more than fast enough (even a single drive) for what you want to do.

I would forget about FW800, unless you have legacy drives which you still want to use (in this case you do, but you need to get the adapter).
 
nowstime said:
Hi!

I'm loving my new rMBP but having a space issue. I wish I could get the 526GB model but just too much for me.

I have a Firewire 800 WD hard drive but since the rMBP's adapter for firewire is not out yet, I'm planning to get a 3.0 external hard drive.

My main usage will be having photos and video on the external hard drive for editing (iPhoto and iMovie) and viewing video.

Will the USB 3.0 be fast enough for these type of tasks? By fast I mean not much lag during edits and viewing.

I have heard that USB 3.0 is fast but Firewire is more stable...not sure what it means so I'm debating between should I wait for the Firewire adapter or get an USB 3.0 external hard drive.

If I do get one planning to get WD 1TB USB 3.0 portable external hard drive. (might go full 7200 rpm if that's noticably faster than portable version's 5400 rpm).

Thanks in advance...
Click to expand...
Don't get anything FireWire, it's dead and buried.
You also don't need to spend a fortune on a good USB enclosure. Micro Sata Cables makes an excellent enclosure with the 1051e chipset that's good up to 6GB/s. You'll never get close to that with a mechanical hard drive though.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/290660885116?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1497.l2649
 
I'd recommend a WD My Book USB 3.0 Drive. I am using one right in combo with my rMBP. Read/Write speeds are insane. Copying 4GB files in seconds is just awesome. I am using a 2 TB drive.
 
Wish I could afford a thunderbolt hard drive but just too much...But good to hear any usb 3.0 will do...So I guess not much of a speed difference between 5400 vs 7200 external drives?
 
Just get this.

Should be able to get ~140MB/sec. It definitely has a 5400RPM drive.

Or if you ever want to put in an SSD yourself, get this little guy and an SSD of your choice (or this guy, it's on sale). You'll get super fast speeds via USB3.0.
 
Crisis said:
There are too much devices using USB so if you keep the USB external disk plugged in, only one USB port is left. I personally recommend you to make use of the two thunderbolt ports...
Click to expand...
If it doesn't leave the desk, get a USB3 hub, connect the hub directly to the MBP/R, then connect the external storage at the hub.
 
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