Which (FW 800) External HD for PB??

[crdean1]

Hello,

I am wanting to get an external HD for my powerbook, but I don't know anything about them. I did a search for a related thread, but didn't find one this specific. Please let me know if there is one.

Question: I have never owned an external hd, but want something to store video on and back up files. I can probably afford something in the 160-250GB range. I have heard good things about LaCie but am unsure if there are any better ones for the price. I will probably be buying one at the apple store with some gift cards, but would consider buying elsewhere if recommended.

Finally, I have heard that I should go FW 800. Is that faster than usb 2.0?

Thansk for your help.

-crdean1

 

[Duff-Man]

Duff-Man says...actually, for most stuff Firewire 400 is faster than USB2...Firewire 800 is *definitely* faster. But whether or not you go that route depends on your hardware. You do not say which PB you have - if it does not have FW800 then buying a FW800 drive is not going to be your best option. If you do have a FW800 model, then yes, the LaCie drives are pretty good...but you may want to shop around and see if the stuff that OtherWorld etc is a better deal, or look into buying an enclosure and drive and putting it together yourself....oh yeah!

 

[Nuc]

My opinion

I would get a FW800 enclosure. I also use a cable that allows you to use the 800 on a 400 capable computer...
Here are a few options, you will come out ahead if you put together your own HD enclosure:

Link 1
or USB2 and FW800
Link 2
I have this drive, has a great cooling system!
Link 3

You can find great deals on hard drives from places online or Best Buy or Comp USA. I found a Maxtor 250GB HD 7200rpm for $99 dollars. Bought 2 of them, and they work great! Plus I didn't have to mail in stupid rebates...

Depending on which Lacie you get some of them get really hot, which I don't particularly like. But if it's the size your after don't get a dual enclosure instead find another drive enclosure on newegg or one of the sites I have in the links above.

Nuc

 

[crdean1]

Duff-Man says...actually, for most stuff Firewire 400 is faster than USB2...Firewire 800 is *definitely* faster. But whether or not you go that route depends on your hardware. You do not say which PB you have - if it does not have FW800 then buying a FW800 drive is not going to be your best option. If you do have a FW800 model, then yes, the LaCie drives are pretty good...but you may want to shop around and see if the stuff that OtherWorld etc is a better deal, or look into buying an enclosure and drive and putting it together yourself....oh yeah!

Thanks you guys. ...I have a 15" 1.67 pb w/ fw 800, 400, usb 2.0.

About the enclosure, I don't have a seperate hd to put in an enclosure. I guess you are recommending get a seperate hd and enclosure?

crd.

 

[drno9999]

I personally use a 250 GB LaCie HD, it has a triple interface, usb 2.0, FW 400 and 800, I use FW 800 with my 15" PB, but if ind having the other oprions is nice if you need to transfer to another computer. I have not experienced any heat issues and the HD looks great when pairded with the Pbook.

 

[puckhead193]

go for the lacie triple interface 250 gig one, i plan on buying one as at the end of aug.

 

[xsedrinam]

LaCie 250 Gb

go for the lacie triple interface 250 gig one, i plan on buying one as at the end of aug.

I'm very pleased with mine.
X

 

[hayduke]

Firewire 800

If you go the Firewire 800 route make sure the drive itself supports FW800 write speeds. From Lacie's website you'll note that FW800 is NOT 2x faster than FW400:

FireWire 800: up to 61MB/s
FireWire 400: up to 40MB/s
USB 2.0: up to 34MB/s

I have noticed drives before that offer FW800, but can't write data at a rate that is ANY faster than FW400 speeds.

 

[amberashby]

Check out the Wiebetech combo dock. You can buy many hard drives and switch them out real easily. I love mine.

 

[briangig]

I was always told FW= sustained high speeds, USB=bursts of speed...

FW has its own controller, where USB uses the cpu.

 

[crdean1]

Thank You.

Thanks very much for the replies. I have actually had my eye on the LaCie 250 GB because of the triple interface, and I am glad some of you use it and gave the good recommendations above. That makes me feel better about the purchase.

CRD.