USB or Firewire?

[bsheridan]

Basically, I'm looking into getting an external HD for backing up purposes and am wondering if there is any noticeable difference in transfer rates for a USB 2.0 and Firewire 400 HD transfer?

Will one slow down my mac more than the other?

Thanks,B.

 

[Eidorian]

Go with FireWire 400 over USB.

 

[flopticalcube]

FW400 > USB2.0 for large transfers. USB uses the CPU more than FireWire but I doubt the difference would be appreciable.

 

[R0ck-Ch1ck]

Go with FireWire 400 over USB.

I second that.

 

[CalBoy]

Most HDs these days offer both so this shouldn't be a major problem. If you really can't get your hands on a FW one, USB will be slower the first time, but with smaller transfers the difference becomes less and less noticeable.

Nonetheless, I still love FW and recommend that above all else.

 

[CJRhoades]

Firewire 400 = 400Mb/s = 50MB/s.
USB 2.0 = 480Mb/s = 60MB/s

You decide.

 

[CalBoy]

Firewire 400 = 400Mb/s = 50MB/s.
USB 2.0 = 480Mb/s = 60MB/s

You decide.

I love how false this is. I've seen this on so many boxes and it's laughable.

USB will not sustain that speed for long. If you have an older iPod that came with Firewire, you can test the transfer rate for yourself, and you will find just how much faster FW is over USB. 😉

 

[CJRhoades]

Actually I was being sarcastic. Go for firewire.

 

[CalBoy]

Actually I was being sarcastic. Go for firewire.

For god's sake, next time use an emoticon! 😛

 

[djejrejk]

FW400 is nice... FW800 is very nice.. if you can afford it.

 

[CJRhoades]

For god's sake, next time use an emoticon! 😛

Ok ok... sheesh... 😀