Ok, I have a dilemma. I had a NewerTech miniStack v.2.5 Enterprise Edition connected to my MacBook 4,1 as a backup hard drive. The miniStack case failed so I RMA'd the case and hard drive. There are no parts to fix this case anymore, so I have a choice to make: either take an OWC Mercury Elite Pro 944 or wait for the new miniStack case to come out. The ports break down as follows:
Elite Pro 944
(1) eSATA, (2) FireWire 800(1394B), (1) FireWire 400(1394A), and (1) USB 2.0+1.1 ports
new miniStack (from NewerTech homepage)
(1) eSATA (300MB/s), (2) FireWire 800 (100MB/s), and (1) USB 3.0/2.0 (500MB/s / 60MB/s)
My MacBook has FW400 and USB 2 ports.
As for the ports, the Elite Pro has one more FW port than the miniStack, but has an older USB implementation. I could connect the FW800 miniStack port to my MB FW400 port with a FW800 to FW400 cable. This would give me USB 3 for the future. With either option, I lose the USB/FW400 hub I once had on my miniStack v.2.5.
As for the design, I like the miniStack, but the Elite Pro 944 is more versatile--standing vertically as well as laying horizontally.
The only remaining question is if one will be faster than the other. The chipset in the Elite Pro is the Oxford 944SE. There has been no announcement as to the chipset in the miniStack. Does anyone know if one has been faster historically?
I will have to wait 4-6 weeks for the miniStack but could get the Elite Pro immediately.
Which option would you take and why?
I should add that aesthetically, the miniStack fits better with my Black MB and Black and Silver HP monitor.
Elite Pro 944
(1) eSATA, (2) FireWire 800(1394B), (1) FireWire 400(1394A), and (1) USB 2.0+1.1 ports
new miniStack (from NewerTech homepage)
(1) eSATA (300MB/s), (2) FireWire 800 (100MB/s), and (1) USB 3.0/2.0 (500MB/s / 60MB/s)
My MacBook has FW400 and USB 2 ports.
As for the ports, the Elite Pro has one more FW port than the miniStack, but has an older USB implementation. I could connect the FW800 miniStack port to my MB FW400 port with a FW800 to FW400 cable. This would give me USB 3 for the future. With either option, I lose the USB/FW400 hub I once had on my miniStack v.2.5.
As for the design, I like the miniStack, but the Elite Pro 944 is more versatile--standing vertically as well as laying horizontally.
The only remaining question is if one will be faster than the other. The chipset in the Elite Pro is the Oxford 944SE. There has been no announcement as to the chipset in the miniStack. Does anyone know if one has been faster historically?
I will have to wait 4-6 weeks for the miniStack but could get the Elite Pro immediately.
Which option would you take and why?
I should add that aesthetically, the miniStack fits better with my Black MB and Black and Silver HP monitor.
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