Power cable for Firewire drive needed?

[djsound]

I have to get a external drive for backup with Time Machine. Everyone says to get Firewire I guess because its faster...but.Do you need to use the power cord for those? I know some USB drives you can only use the USB cable and it powers it which is handy because I move the drive a lot and I hate connecting two cables....do firewire drives need both cables?

 

[Intell]

If it's a full sized desktop drive, yes. If its a portable 2.5" sized drive, no.

 

[alust2013]

That depends on if you get a portable or desktop type drive. Portables don't require them, but the bigger desktop type does.

 

[GGJstudios]

Requires a power cord:OWC Mercury Elite-AL Pro™

Doesn't require a power cord (bus powered):OWC Mercury On-The-Go Pro

 

[djsound]

ah I see . thanks =)

so what's a good portable one to get? I do music so the bigger the better. Ive heard the names Lacie and Western Digital?

 

[GGJstudios]

so what's a good portable one to get? I do music so the bigger the better. Ive heard the names Lacie and Western Digital?

I just posted a pic and link to one.

 

[djsound]

Oh I'll buy one of those portable ones cool.

In my system profiler it says this...



FireWire Bus:

Maximum Speed: Up to 800 Mb/sec

0x101800:

Manufacturer: 0x1F2
Model: 0x101800
GUID: 0x1F2000001A5D3
Maximum Speed: Up to 400 Mb/sec
Connection Speed: Up to 400 Mb/sec
Sub-units:
Unknown Unit:
Unit Software Version: 0x3
Unit Spec ID: 0x1F2


is that a firewire 800 or 400 port? its an older imac...

 

[GGJstudios]

In my system profiler it says this...
FireWire Bus:

Maximum Speed: Up to 800 Mb/sec

is that a firewire 800 or 400 port? its an older imac...

You answered your own question. You can find specs on all Apple products, including yours, with Mactracker. You have 2 FW ports, one 400 and one 800.

 

[djsound]

Well I knew it was a stupid question but oh well hehe.. I thought it was 800 but I saw the 400's there so....asked anyways =) thanks

 

[spinnerlys]

Well I knew it was a stupid question but oh well hehe.. I thought it was 800 but I saw the 400's there so....asked anyways =) thanks