USB ? FireWire ? external hard drives

midiw · Post by **midiw** » Thu Dec 14, 2006 6:05 am

It is my understanding that FireWire external hard drives is the best choice.

However when I take a look at the USB specs for data flow in and out seems to be OK especially with the "new" USB specs in the MacIntel's.

I've been price shopping and the USB devices cost less.

Has anyone here had problems using USB external hard drives ?

Dwetmaster · Post by **Dwetmaster** » Thu Dec 14, 2006 11:15 am

My advice would be go at least FW400. FW800 is better and if you want to go all the way, esata is probably your best bet. Even If USB2.0 is aid to have have hypothetically faster speed than FW400 it is not applicable in real life. but, sharing your FW bus with an audio interface is not great either because of bottlenecks. So That's why I decided to go esata and been happy ever since

midiw · Post by **midiw** » Sat Dec 16, 2006 8:22 pm

TVM

That's what I'll: go esta FW (short term pain in price long term gain in performance).

chucks · Post by **chucks** » Sun Dec 17, 2006 4:10 am

If you can spend a little extra check out the Toughtech XE:

ToughTech XE
The newest addition to the ToughTech series - This is the ToughTech has it all! It boasts FireWire 800 (400 compatible), USB 2, and an eSATA connection over a screaming fast Oxford 924 bridge. The 924 outperforms the 922 in FireWire and USB, making ToughTech XE the all around most connectable, and fastest ToughTech available.

http://www.wiebetech.com/products/toughtech.php

It's the best of all worlds, USB 2.0, FW 400, FW 800 and eSATA. Its takes a SATA drive and they provide you with cables for each type of connection. This gives you the maximum flexability when it comes to connections on your rig and when taking the drive to other rigs.

midiw · Post by **midiw** » Sun Dec 17, 2006 6:50 am

TVM
Looks good.
First I'll have to find out if it's available here in Canada.

HCMarkus · Post by **HCMarkus** » Sun Dec 17, 2006 12:46 pm

I second eSATA as the preferred solution, but question whether an iMac will allow you to add the appropriate interface. Getting a drive with both Firewire and USB2.0 interfaces will allow you to experiment without pain.

chucks · Post by **chucks** » Sun Dec 17, 2006 2:54 pm

Sorry I missed the iMac in your specs. There aren't any expansion slots so eSATA isn't an option. You are limited to USB 2.0 and FW (400 on 17" and 20", 800 and 400 on 24"). It may not be worth spending the extra $$ on the Toughtech XE or any eSATA combo. But . . . you never know what's in the cards for the future.

Timeline · Post by **Timeline** » Sun Dec 17, 2006 4:48 pm

HCMarkus wrote:I second eSATA as the preferred solution, but question whether an iMac will allow you to add the appropriate interface. Getting a drive with both Firewire and USB2.0 interfaces will allow you to experiment without pain.

Agreed for the most part. Get a fast SATA for your machine and leave the FW alone and dedicated to IO's and such.