Is this hard drive compatible with my new PowerMac?

[nesbitt_a]

I have a new Dual 2Ghz PowerMac G5 and want to add another hard drive to the second bay.

1) 250GB Maxtor Plus10 SATA 7200rpm 16MB cache
http://www.microdirect.co.uk/ProductInfo.aspx?ProductID=9458&GroupID=0

or ..

2) 300GB Maxtor DiamondMax 10 SATA 16MB cache
http://www.microdirect.co.uk/ProductInfo.aspx?ProductID=9508&GroupID=0


I'm slightly confused as I thought any hard drives could be used as long as they were SATA, but the specifications page for each drive lists as being compatible with PC only. Help.

 

[Euan]

You could try the Maxtor site (http://www.maxtor.com/). I had a quick look for you but the product page doesn't provide much information.

Try searching their knowledge base - if not send them an email.

 

[iGary]

I have a new Dual 2Ghz PowerMac G5 and want to add another hard drive to the second bay.

1) 250GB Maxtor Plus10 SATA 7200rpm 16MB cache
http://www.microdirect.co.uk/ProductInfo.aspx?ProductID=9458&GroupID=0

or ..

2) 300GB Maxtor DiamondMax 10 SATA 16MB cache
http://www.microdirect.co.uk/ProductInfo.aspx?ProductID=9508&GroupID=0


I'm slightly confused as I thought any hard drives could be used as long as they were SATA, but the specifications page for each drive lists as being compatible with PC only. Help.

Thie first one will work, the second is ATA 133 - nope.

 

[nesbitt_a]

Thie first one will work, the second is ATA 133 - nope.

So what am I looking for in a hard disk? Will any SATA drive work, or does it have to be Serial ATA-150.

What is the best drive to use for a PowerMac G5?


A

 

[crazzyeddie]

SATA is Serial ATA-150, but the second drive has either a wrong title or wrong specs. The title says SATA, but the info says:

Product Description Maxtor DiamondMax 10 - hard drive - 300 GB - ATA-133
and
Interface Type ATA-133

But any SATA drive should work. Look at Seagate drives, too. They come with a standard 5-year warranty (at least in the US).

 

[CanadaRAM]

Thie first one will work, the second is ATA 133 - nope.

There's a discrepancy in the vendor's website. The part number and title says SATA, the specifications however mix ATA and SATA and spell out ATA/133 40 pin connector. Sloppy work.

The other thing to watch out for is that you get the full Maxtor 3 year (or Seagate 5 year) warranty. THe cheapest drives on offer are "pulls" or OEM drives (meant to be sold only with a finished goods computer) and have zero to 1 year warranty. Again, the online vendor fails to state the warranty period.

The Maxtor site is an abomination - it doesn't let you find the model specs.

My instinct is to run away. Find a seller who knows what they are talking about and specifies a full warranty.

 

[FFTT]

I would check out OWC http://www.macsales.com for a complete list of compatible drives.

I would go for a Western Digital Caviar edition w/8 MB cache

As far as I know they ship international.

 

[iGary]

I would check out OWC http://www.macsales.com for a complete list of compatible drives.

I would go for a Western Digital Caviar edition w/8 MB cache

As far as I know they ship international.

Seagate has the best warranty on the market right now and they are dead silent. I loves me some Seagate.

 

[nesbitt_a]

Wouldn't the 16MB cache and the 25db noise of the Maxtor be better?

A

 

[FFTT]

Yup totally agree, them Seagates are good too!

I'd pick either Seagate or WD or IBM/Hitachi over the Maxtors