iBooks are still too ice cool for words, especially dollar for dollar.
spaceballl said:
Here are the two drives i'm deciding between:
http://www.mwave.com/mwave/viewspec.hmx?scriteria=AA25180
http://www.mwave.com/mwave/skusearch.hmx?&scriteria=AA22680
Price isn't an issue and neither is capacity. I'm interested in power drain, noise, and speed. I can't find any info.
-Kevin
Speed is my bigger concern, but
8mb more cache doesn't necessarily mean a faster drive. There are so many components. I wish i could find some performance numbers.
For you and your needs, what kind of speed is a factor, crunching numbers or moving data? Answering that question should help you decide on the efficacy of 8 vs. 16 MB cache.
Thanks for the URLs. Congratulations, you found your Toshiba 50Gb with 16 MB cache (highest I've ever seen), which by GB : $ is not even in the same ballpark with the Hitachi, but the extra size Cache has to be it's saving grace. How are you going to benchmark the differences in cache, as applied to your computer use?
So, is it worth it to you to overpay in $$ per GB just so you can get double the amount of cache from 8 to 16? Hard to answer - up to you.
Unlike you, I'm starting to push the limit of my 30GB drive and need to double the size to 60. And, I don't do anything on my iBook that demands that much cache. Disc rotation speed will help in startup / shutdown and CPU intensive tasking. Having roots in a
16MHz MacLC in 1991, I know my Dual 1GHz G4 is really fast enough for everything except occasional video editing and DVD burning. I don't game...except Solitaire using Ultimate from DeltaTao.com. So
getting a G5 is a pure luxury I would WANT far more than I really NEED.
From a practical standpoint, the same is true with my G3 iBook - max RAM, perfect pixel LCD, good AirPort reception, a faster, larger Hard Drive, what else could a guy want...or, need!
And, at $600 in realistic value (even "replacement"), if it gets lost or stolen, I buy a new one and move on with my life. If (when) I max out a 15" PB and BTO, that's $3,000+ tied up in a 1" wider screen, and
superb good looks and performance. 😀
iBook owners have 90% (loose statistics) of what a PB owners really USE day-to-day, and
without 5x the cost. Would I like to have all the added capability including a "built-in SuperDrive" and FW800? Sure...I just don't feel comfortable dumping a fully functional $600 G3 iBook that does everything I need it to do, for a $3,000 mobile dream machine.
WANT vs. NEED. I have exactly what I NEED. How about you?
Now, when the 2nd generation G5 PowerBook comes along boasting 6-hour batteries and built-in color laser printer (I can dream can't I ?), and FinalCut Pro 6 is out, maybe it will be time. Yes, it will absolutely be time. In the meantime, I love the size and capability of my G3 iBook, and the way PC and Mac users look at it with admiration (except, of course, Mac PB G4 owners - because they do have a right to be proud in their books).
Because S&H is FREE with NewEgg.com and ZipZoomFly.com, shipping costs put MWAVE $5 on the "high side" on purchase of a Hitachi drive.
I am totally content to keep on keeping on with my current iBook until just the right moment, when moving up to a new PB will feel sooooo perfect.
😎
