Powerbook – Dead Hard Drive? Recommendations?

[srobert]

Hello.

My machine:
PowerBook G4 12"
1.33 GHz

I think my hard drive is about to die:

I had a huge hard drive reletad Kernel Panic last week but I though DiskWarrior fixed it. You can see the details on this Apple Support Discussion thread (It worked fine for a few days)

Any suggestions for a good quality, reliable, replacement hard drive?

I'm looking for something starting at 60GB.

5400 RPM would be nice but I could settle for 4200.

I'm looking for something not too noisy/hot.

If possible $200 or less.

I've akready had a look at PB FIX IT but most of the drives are out of stock and they don'T provide reviews.

Any pointers would be appreciated.

Thanks

 

[macEfan]

Get one on http://www.newegg.com

 

[srobert]

Get one on http://www.newegg.com

Thanks. That's a good start. I'll have a look but I was also looking for personnal recommendations/experiences. For example, they won't say on this store if a certain drive is noisy or silent.

 

[CanadaRAM]

A 60 or 80 Gb Seagate Momentus 5400.2 with 8 Mb cache would be the one - quiet, anda 5 year warranty.
The jump from 4200 to 5400 is significant. Although there are a few 7200 RPM drives, they are pricey and the delta 5400 to 7200 is not as dramatic in performance benefit. Both should be in your price range of CAN$200 or less

PM me for more details.

Thanks
Trevor
CanadaRAM.com

 

[srobert]

A 60 or 80 Gb Seagate Momentus 5400.2 with 8 Mb cache would be the one - quiet, anda 5 year warranty.
The jump from 4200 to 5400 is significant. Although there are a few 7200 RPM drives, they are pricey and the delta 5400 to 7200 is not as dramatic in performance benefit. Both should be in your price range of CAN$200 or less

PM me for more details.

Thanks
Trevor
CanadaRAM.com

What difference does a 8MB or 16MB cache make?

 

[Mitthrawnuruodo]

I know you set a $200 limit, but for $263 you can get a Seagate Momentus 5400 disk at 120 GB. That's an awesome disk, and I want this bad for my iBook.

Edit: Just noticed you probably meant Canadian dollars, and then USD260 may become a bit too much. Sorry if I tempted you...

 

[njmac]

I know you set a $200 limit, but for $263 you can get a Seagate Momentus 5400 disk at 120 GB. That's an awesome disk, and I want this bad for my iBook.

That looks awesome. If my HD goes, I'll spring for that one.

 

[CanadaRAM]

What difference does a 8MB or 16MB cache make?

There is one available, a Toshiba 5400 with 16 Mb cache. In theory, the larger cache means more of the repetitive reads from the drive can be got from cache instead of from the hard drive, saving time. I have not yet been able to find test comparisons of performance between the Toshiba and Seagate. The Toshiba is apparently a touch (2 dB) quieter than the Seagate.

 

[dollystereo]

The Toshiba 16Mb cache drive is the best drive out there!!!
Get that one!

 

[srobert]

Thanks for all the help.

I've somewhat narrowed down my choice to 4 80GM drives and 3 100GB drives. That's quite enough disk space for my needs. Primary criterias were availability and positive reviews. All are 5400-RPM, 2.5" drives.

I found no mention but I assume these drives are the required height for my powerbook? (9.5 mm)

SAMSUNG SPINPOINT M 80GB 2.5" NOTEBOOK HARD DRIVE - OEM
$100.50

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16822152503

Average Latency: 5.6ms
Average Seek Time: 12.5ms
Cache: 8MB
Features: SoftSonic FDB motor 5400-RPM spin speed 8-Mbyte cache buffer QuietStep ramp load
technology
Form Factor: 2.5"
Interface: ATA-6
Manufacturer Warranty: 5 Years
Model #: ST9100823A
Item #: N82E16822146221

TOSHIBA SUPER SLIMLINE 80GB 2.5" NOTEBOOK HARD DRIVE - OEM
$103.50
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16822149020

Average Latency: 5.55ms
Average Seek Time: 12ms
Cache: 16MB
Features: Fluid Dynamic Bearing (FDB) Motor, Low Power Consumption, Improved Noise
Reduction Technology
Form Factor: 2.5"
Interface: ATA-6
Manufacturer Warranty: 3 Years
Model #: HDD2191/MK8026GAX
Item #: N82E16822149020

FUJITSU MHT-AH 80GB 2.5" NOTEBOOK HARD DRIVE - OEM
$108.75
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16822153016

Average Latency: 5.56ms
Average Seek Time: 12ms
Cache: 8MB
Features: Fourth-generation Fluid Dynamic Bearing (FDB) motors dramatically reduce acoustic noise
Form Factor: 2.5"
Interface: ATA-6
Manufacturer Warranty: 3 Years
Model #: MHT2080AH
Item #: N82E16822153016

HITACHI TRAVELSTAR 5K100 80GB 2.5" NOTEBOOK HARD DRIVE - OEM
$111.00
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16822146043

Average Latency: 5.5ms
Average Seek Time: 12ms
Cache: 8MB
Features: Outstanding operating and non-operating shock Doubling of industry standard load/unload
cycles to 600,000 RoHS compliant
Form Factor: 2.5"
Interface: ATA-6
Manufacturer Warranty: 3 Years
Model #: HTS541080G9AT00
Item #: N82E16822146043

TOSHIBA SLIM 100GB 2.5" NOTEBOOK HARD DRIVE - OEM
$166.75
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16822149030

Average Seek Time: 12ms
Cache: 16MB
Features: Large capacity in a tiny package.
Form Factor: 2.5"
Interface: ATA-6
Manufacturer Warranty: 3 Years
Model #: HDD2D08/MK1032GAX
Item #: N82E16822149030

SEAGATE MOMENTUS 5400.2 100GB 2.5" NOTEBOOK HARD DRIVE - RETAIL
$173.00
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16822146223

Average Seek Time: 12.5ms
Cache: 8MB
Features: QuietStep ramp load technology
Form Factor: 2.5"
Interface: ATA-6
Manufacturer Warranty: 5 Years
Model #: ST9100823A-RK
Item #: N82E16822146223

SEAGATE MOMENTUS 5400.2 100GB 2.5" NOTEBOOK HARD DRIVE - OEM
$177.50
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16822146221

Average Latency: 5.6ms
Average Seek Time: 12.5ms
Cache: 8MB
Features: SoftSonic FDB motor 5400-RPM spin speed 8-Mbyte cache buffer
QuietStep ramp load technology
Form Factor: 2.5"
Interface: ATA-6
Manufacturer Warranty: 5 Years
Model #: ST9100823A
Item #: N82E16822146221

Can you guys help me narrow the list further? ^_^

All that quick help is VERY appreciated.

 

[srobert]

The Toshiba 16Mb cache drive is the best drive out there!!!
Get that one!

Thanks for the tip. I was eying the 100 GB Toshiba (16Mb cache). Have you owned that drive? I wonder how cool (as in temperature) and silent it is.

Anybody knows where I could get this one around here? (Montreal, Canada)

 

[livingfortoday]

I'd be careful, some of the newegg.com reviews say that the slim Toshiba drives are really noisy.

I would recommend you spring for a 7200rpm drive, I just got a 40GB Hitachi one for $120 on eBay shipped, and it's silent, and fast like nothin' else. They're hard to find, but well worth it, I think.

 

[faintember]

Hitachi 5400 rpm 100gb. You will get a speed boost, plus an increase in storage space, for a decent price, plus they are quiet. 7200 rpm drives are just too expensive for laptops right now IMHO.

 

[livingfortoday]

7200 rpm drives are just too expensive for laptops right now IMHO.

I totally agree - it comes down to what you're going to be using the PB for. I use my Powerbook as an on-the-go machine, so storage space isn't that important, but speed is. My Cube serves as my main desktop machine for storage. If you need a lot of space, I would go with a 5400rpm drive. But if you want something fast and are willing to give up some space, go with the 7200.

 

[neocell]

Thanks for the tip. I was eying the 100 GB Toshiba (16Mb cache). Have you owned that drive? I wonder how cool (as in temperature) and silent it is.

Anybody knows where I could get this one around here? (Montreal, Canada)

Try MicroBytes they have a large selection (even though they don't have the Toshiba online). A friend of mine bought a hard drive there that they ordered in specifically for him. You could also try MegaPC they order stuff in as well, and they're located right outside De La Savane Metro (bought from them before, no problems)

**EDIT**

If your a student or associated with a uni, I would suggest asking the uni store to order it for you. They seem to have student setups with everyone and can give you pretty low prices.

 

[srobert]

Ordered

Interesting bit:

I went to the store and ordered de Toshiba. They had none of those I had on my list in store but they could have the Tosh delivered from another store for tomorrow.

The PC guy behind the counter was kind of puzzled. He said something that sounded like: "16MB cache? Who need 16MB cache… except maybe people who run 8 applications at the same time but nobody does that."

^_^

I find it interesting since I rarely run less than 8 apps at the same time. (Running as we speak: 1) Safari, 2) Mail.app, 3) Adobe Acrobat. 4) Adobe Acrobat Distiller, 5) Suitcase, 6) Word, 7) Excel, 8) Photoshop, 9) Quark, 10) Illustrator, 11) Outlook, 12) iTunes, 13) MacLorem, 14) Transmit. That's 14 not counting the few apps that I open/quit as needed (iCal, Preview, Calculator, etc…)