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External HD question

M

macappletex

macrumors member
Original poster
Nov 18, 2009
35
0
Just bought a new MBP 15 mid-2012 and I need to find an external hd to use as a backup drive. I'm looking for at least 750 gb with USB 3.0 that is simple o setup using time machine. Open to all suggestions.
 
macappletex said:
Just bought a new MBP 15 mid-2012 and I need to find an external hd to use as a backup drive. I'm looking for at least 750 gb with USB 3.0 that is simple o setup using time machine. Open to all suggestions.
Click to expand...

check out any of these: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...484 600030767 600030800&IsNodeId=1&name=750GB


I'd get the WD. Have had good experiences with their products. And i believe they give lifetime warranty. Had to replace one, replacement by WD went smoothly.
 
My Choice

Well I looked at different options and I also checked out the Go flex made by Seagate but it just looks so bulky. My goals for me in getting an external hd is that it is portable where I can slip it in my incase laptop bag and move around without issue like I had previously with my 2008 pre unibody MBP. So I decided like back then to buy a WD hard drive because like previous one I currently have I had no issues with so why not stick with a good product.

I went ahead an ordered this one and I bought the silver since I thought it matched the MBPR the best and I am a sucker for keeping things looking uniform.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B007FQNLR6/ref=oh_details_o00_s00_i00
 
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How does the WD work with Time Machine? I'm thinking about using TM rather than prepackaged software. I have been leaning toward the Seagate but WD has been around a long time. I just remember a few years back when WD had a few problems with Macs.
 
macappletex said:
I thought that USB 3.0 is faster than Thunderbolt. Is this correct?
Click to expand...

A single USB port can handle up to 5GB/s. A single Thunderbolt port has two 10GB/s channels in each direction.

However, either of those is much higher than a single mechanical hard drive can use, and a USB 3 drive will most likely be cheaper.
 
macappletex said:
I thought that USB 3.0 is faster than Thunderbolt. Is this correct?
Click to expand...

No, thunderbolt is faster. It's growing slowly. Peripherals like external HD are still very pricey for thunderbolt. Stick with USB 3.0, it's fast and prices for external HD are reasonable.

Thunderbolt HD 1TB ($270): http://www.amazon.com/Seagate-Ultra...45771&sr=1-2&keywords=macbook+pro+thunderbolt

USB 3.0 HD 1TB ($113): http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B007FQNLR6/ref=oh_details_o00_s00_i00?tag=5336090759-20

big price difference.
 
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Seagate comes formatted to use on a Mac. Does Western Digital hd's need to be reformatted? Everything I read says yes.
 
I think I will go with the Seagate! Everything being even between the two-I don't have to reformat the Seagate for my Mac. It would seem that Seagate went a little extra to make their hd compatible with Macs!
 
Thunderbolt drives cost way more, and is not needed for a backup. Inexpensive drives are fine for backups.

I will say, in case anyone is interested, the Western Digital My Duo Thunderbolt drive is awesome. I got the 4TB version and it screams in Raid 0, at near SSD speeds.
 
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