External HDD for MacBook

[imported_ceefka]

I will be needing an external HDD for my MacBook soon.

The RaidSonic ICY DOCK MB-559UEA-1S seemed attractive because it will offer FW400 as well as USB 2.0. Since this will also act as my mobile recording setup I will want to be sure to reach 33MBs, whether on USB or FW. Since my recording interface uses the FW buss, I would want to be able to switch to USB if that would help.

Someone recommended a LaCie drive because that would work best with a MacBook. Is this true? What is your experience?

 

[TheStu]

I use a Seagate 7200.10 250GB Drive in an iRocks external enclosure, connected over USB. It works great. I have never really bothered to monitor transfer speeds or anything like that, so I can't give you too much information in that regard. I think that the main thing that LaCie has going for it is the fact that they cosmetically match Apple's hardware. Hard drives are hard drives really. The likelihood of one not working with OS X, in any enclosure is pretty low.

Optical drives, slightly different story, but most should still work.

 

[IlllI]

firewire>usb

 

[TheStu]

I most defintely agree, but it is hard to find an affordable FW enclosure for SATA drives.

 

[manly]

http://www.fatwallet.com/forums/messageview.php?catid=18&threadid=611804

 

[AmigaMan]

I bought a Macally USB/FW400 enclosure from Newegg for like $30 and it's worked great for me. I had two HD's for my old Dell and re-purposed one of them for my MacBook Pro.

 

[TheStu]

For the OP, are you looking for the hard drive to be SATA or IDE? If SATA, then it is (at least for me) to find an enclosure that supports FW400, or even 800... at least affordably. I found a nice one, it is $80 so a little too costly. The nice thing is that it ahs an integrated drive cage system, and comes with a spare cage, so you can swap out the drives without too much effort. The only other one that I have considered is dual drive enclosure, that supports USB, FW400, and FW800... but the FW400 port is on the front, and that ticks me off since i only have a FW400 port, and having a cable jutting out of the front of hte enclosure crimps my style.

 

[imported_ceefka]

Thank you all for chiming in.

There are two options, both 3.5" SATA enclosures
RaidSonic ICY DOCK MB-559UEA-1S: FW400/USB2.0 for 66 euro
RaidSonic ICY DOCK MB-559UEB-1S: FW800/USB2.0 for 101 euro

Prices from my favourite webshop here in The Netherlands.

Since a MacBook has no FW800 connector, I might as well buy the first one, unless all of you have real bad experiences with RaidSonic.

Cheers.

 

[TheStu]

?66 doesnt sound too bad (think i got the right symbol there) about what i have been seeing on the Egg for SATA enclosures with FW400.

 

[imported_ceefka]

I thought so too. The USB2.0 is there just in case. Euro symbol is also right
Now all I need is a good HDD to fit in.

 

[TheStu]

Seagate 7200.10 series drives are great, perpendicular recording, 16MB Cache... and pretty quiet as well. I usually only notice noise from mine when it is seeking a lot. Like the iTunes Cover Art ScreenSaver, it will sit there click click click, as it seeks the next picture... hard to fall asleep to.

 

[imported_ceefka]

I wanted to try a Seagate this time. So I will be looking for one of those 7200.10. The 320GB is the cheapest in GB/? (there's that thingy again!). I don't think I'll need more than that. For now.

The box looks like this. My guess would be that it doesn't even look bad with a MacBook. The box enables hot swap, so I could even drag around a few extra SATA HDDs.

 

[TheStu]

Yea, thats the same one I have my eye on (i couldnt remember the brand name) since on newegg right now it will come with an extra drive holder for hot swapping.

 

[imported_ceefka]

BTW, did you get Apple Care with your MacBook. I heard it would be void if you upgrade the RAM yourself. I will get 512MB with mine, but want 1GB. It's a "one size fits all" order by the school. Apple is so expensive with upgrades, it seems like they are milking it real well.

 

[TheStu]

On the MacBook, the warranty is not voided if you upgrade the RAM yourself, or the Hard Drive, however, should the replacement RAM or HDD go out, Apple will not service it.

 

[imported_ceefka]

That sounds reasonable.

edit:
I ordererd just yesterday:
RaidSonic ICY DOCK MB-559UEA-1S
Seagate 7200.10. 320GB