"Sluggish Seagate Hard Drive?"

[snagitseven]

So then I assume the only reason to avoid OEM is if I was purchasing the drive from a computer manufacturer, in which case it would probable have their third party firmware? (whereas someone like newegg is still gauranteed to have seagate's original firmware?)

I don't know. Call me paranoid, but there is still something about OEM that scares me. I may be stubborn, but when your putting your entire life, profession, and passion onto a little disk that spins at 7200 rpm, I can't help but be a little cautious

Seagate told me Newegg sell hundreds per week and the likelihood of getting the older goofed-up firmware at this point is pretty small. In any case, if you have access to a pc, you can upgrade the firmware easily - it's available as an update from Seagate on line (Seagate says no way to do it on a Mac). Or if you buy from Newegg, you've got a 30 day return policy.

I've been buying OEM Seagate drives for years and never, ever had a problem. "Pull outs" like you are worrying about are rare and easily avoided if you stick to the large retailers like Newegg. As for putting your entire life in a little disk, that's what backups are for. While I have never had a drive fail, it can happen no matter what the source or brand. Just be sure to get another little disk to back up your entire life. Even if the disk never fails, software usually will (believe me, I've been there) and having the back up drive allows you to breathe easy. Superduper has been my good friend (hope they get the Leopard version going real soon) - I prefer it's user interface to CCC and has never let me down however either works fine and is easy. Not to mention there's time Machine now as well.

 

[jconly]

Jconly, I undertand and had the same thought, but found the only difference btw retail and OEM is the cables and manual, nothing else. For that cable and manual you can buy for 4 buck they are charging you 30 or 50 bucks more. The packaging and shipping is just the same for the hd (at least at newegg).

Well, the savings certainly is substantial. I'll be making a call to Seagate to confirm the warranty similarities (just so I can sleep at night), but it looks like OEM it is.

EDIT: I also have an extensive backup system implemented. It's more a matter of the downtime waiting for the drive replacement.

 

[ErikAndre]

Neither the 320Gb, nor the 500Gb I guess. Adding to that the fact that the extra 180Gb would probably cost more than a brand new 500Gb, of which you could choose the exact model you want, the choice is really a no brainer...

My advice is to stick with the stock configuration, and you'll decide when it is time if it is worth it to buy a 500Gb, faster, drive.

Just what I needed to hear. It indeed is a no brainer (I just never thought of it that way... hd's used to be so expensive)... I'm guessing this is the drive everyone is looking at?

Also.. and i know this is probably a dumb question, but do I need the $800 Raid Card apple sells or is there a more affordable setup for a RAID 0? I'd like to get two of the 500GB for a RAID 0, but am not sure if there's a more affordable RAID card.

Thanks in advance.

 

[faumble]

Well, the savings certainly is substantial. I'll be making a call to Seagate to confirm the warranty similarities (just so I can sleep at night), but it looks like OEM it is.

if you can pls post what segate tells you, Thx!

 

[bigbird]

Also.. and i know this is probably a dumb question, but do I need the $800 Raid Card apple sells or is there a more affordable setup for a RAID 0? I'd like to get two of the 500GB for a RAID 0, but am not sure if there's a more affordable RAID card. Thanks in advance.

Do you even need a RAID card? What's wrong with formatting both drives as RAID 0 using Disk Utility? It will cost you nothing!

 

[jconly]

if you can pls post what segate tells you, Thx!

ill let u know