External HDDs and upgrade path?

[splitpea]

What connection type would you choose when buying a new external hard drive?

USB 2 isn't very fast, but Apple seems to be de-emphasizing Firewire and eSATA isn't even an option on anything except the Mac Pros AFAICT.

 

[spinnerlys]

Firewire. It's still there.

And the connection also depends on what Mac you have.
There are several that could support eSATA.

 

[iggity pop]

external hdd's

Firewire is ok, I can't wait for USB3

 

[Samuriajackon]

Firewire is ok, I can't wait for USB3

If you look around I'd get one that has connections for both Firewire and USB2 on the back. Unless you get a portable 2.5in USB powered one a multi connection in the back is not uncommon. My WestDigital had Firewire, USB2, eSata, and UltraWide SCSI(Just kidding). No really, big drives should have more then one connection.

 

[Thunderbird]

If I were choosing a new external, and eSATA wasn't an option on my particular mac machine, I would go for firewire 800. It is almost as fast as eSATA.

In a year or two either USB 3.0 or Lightpeak is going to start becoming more widely adopted by industry (to me, Lightpeak seems like the more promising technology).

 

[joaoferro37]

If I were choosing a new external, and eSATA wasn't an option on my particular mac machine, I would go for firewire 800. It is almost as fast as eSATA.

In a year or two either USB 3.0 or Lightpeak is going to start becoming more widely adopted by industry (to me, Lightpeak seems like the more promising technology).

If it is a single drive, I would get FireWire 800 over anything else.
For more than one drive, I suggest using eSATA.
If you really need fast, portable, and not to worry about upgrade it, try this
http://www.timelinedigitalinc.com/iostudio-pcie-expansion-pcie-card-standard-length-p-848.html
Fully compatible with Fusion I/O and the speed is over 1GB/s

 

[splitpea]

And the connection also depends on what Mac you have.
There are several that could support eSATA.

Which besides the Mac Pro?

If you really need fast, portable, and not to worry about upgrade it, try this
http://www.timelinedigitalinc.com/iostudio-pcie-expansion-pcie-card-standard-length-p-848.html
Fully compatible with Fusion I/O and the speed is over 1GB/s

What is that, and what Macs would it be compatible with?