SSD vs Fusion Drive

[ashah888]

I'm thinking about what upgrades to get with the new iMac when it's ready to ship...

Can some of you give me an advice of whether I should go all SSD iMac or a Fusion Drive iMac?

I already have a 1TB external hard drive that I use for time machine. I could just start using it as a external HDD instead...

 

[flynz4]

I'm thinking about what upgrades to get with the new iMac when it's ready to ship...

Can some of you give me an advice of whether I should go all SSD iMac or a Fusion Drive iMac?

I already have a 1TB external hard drive that I use for time machine. I could just start using it as a external HDD instead...

Are you implying that you no longer need to back up your data?

/Jim

 

[Rizzm]

This is entirely up to you.

-Do you mind keeping and actively using your external HD?
-Do you need the extra storage of another HDD?
-The fusion drive starts at like $200-250. Is that within your budget?

Only you know your needs and wants, habits and workflow.

 

[ashah888]

Don't need extra storage.
Do still need to backup data.

However, can't I just partition my external drive in half and use 50% of it for time machine and then 50% for extra space? I'm assuming that's possible, I could be wrong.

I was just thinking that if I have the option to go SDD 765GB space, or Fusion Drive 125 SDD and 1TB HDD, wouldn't it make sense to go all SDD and then use a HDD external? * my numbers on disk space are probably wrong, forgive me.

 

[Apple fanboy]

If you can afford it go SSD all in. If not the fusion drive will be good. My worry with the Fusion drive is if one half breaks (after AppleCare expires) what do yo do? Can you carry on using the working part or does the thing have to be replaced?

 

[goodlittlesquid]

If you can afford it go SSD all in. If not the fusion drive will be good. My worry with the Fusion drive is if one half breaks (after AppleCare expires) what do yo do? Can you carry on using the working part or does the thing have to be replaced?

That is what I'm worried about. Is this fusion drive going to last 5 years? Anyone know how long hybrid drives hold up compared to traditional HDDs?

Torn between fusion or SSD+external. My iTunes library is ~30 GB. I create lots of large Photoshop files frequently but I'm done with them fairly quickly and I rarely need to revisit them often.

 

[swordfish5736]

That is what I'm worried about. Is this fusion drive going to last 5 years? Anyone know how long hybrid drives hold up compared to traditional HDDs?

Torn between fusion or SSD+external. My iTunes library is ~30 GB. I create lots of large Photoshop files frequently but I'm done with them fairly quickly and I rarely need to revisit them often.

It's not a hybrid drive in the iMac. They showed a separate most likely msata drive on the logic board and a standard 3.5" drive

I'm guessing on the msata part but it'd make sense. They use msata drives in the rMBP and MBA

 

[flynz4]

Don't need extra storage.
Do still need to backup data.

However, can't I just partition my external drive in half and use 50% of it for time machine and then 50% for extra space? I'm assuming that's possible, I could be wrong.

I was just thinking that if I have the option to go SDD 765GB space, or Fusion Drive 125 SDD and 1TB HDD, wouldn't it make sense to go all SDD and then use a HDD external? * my numbers on disk space are probably wrong, forgive me.

It doesn't make any sense to have your primary data, and your backup on the same device.

/Jim

 

[theSeb]

For those interested in how the fusion drive works, Anandtech has a good article that dissects it a bit more

http://www.anandtech.com/show/6406/understanding-apples-fusion-drive