iMac external HD questions. Have 3, need more.

Bod

Bod

Bod

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I have the following configuration

IcyBox (USB2) with 2 x Sata HD's in it
AnotherCaddy (USB2) with 1 x IDE HD in it

I'd like to keep these, but need more space.
I've been looking at 1TB External HD's (USB2), which would go into the mac via another USB Hub.

At the moment though, I've noticed the current setup is not the quickest when accessing files (For example copying from one ext HD to the other....)

I looked at getting an External HD that uses the Firewire port but theyre not cost-effective.

I also looked at the Sharkoon Lanport 400, but that runs software (Windows :( ) and it seems its browser accessible only.



Basically I want more HD space, and I want to use this opportunity (if I can) to make my accessing of all my external space quicker and easier.
I also have a Win7 laptop.

The only options as I understand it are

A NAS Drive like the Iomega 1GB jobbie
or
USB2.0 Drive and plug them into a USB hub...(Would this cause more speed issues with them all operating from the same usb port?)

Yours, Confused of Manchester
 
Last edited:
Actually, I think I may have answered my own question.

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=HD-288-WD

FireWire800, Nice and nippy. 1.5TB. Can move one or two of the drives in use over to it, and leave those as TimeMachine Backup drives........Meaning I only use one FW drive (partitioned ofc), and 1 external USB for day to day use, this negating any speed/ bottleneck concerns?
 
FW should be much faster, paying extra for a FW drive over a USB2 does make sense if you need the speed.

The other option would be a networked pc / nas, don't think the cheap ones give you decent speed, even though they are gigabit. I have a P4 fileserver and get 40+ meg a second when copying some files.
 
Indeed.

USB2 sucks for hard drives. You'll be lucky to see over 25MB/sec and it gets worse the more USB devices and hubs you add. It's great for scanners, webcams and printers but not for frequently used mass storage.

Options : FW800 or a gigabit NAS. A decent NAS is £££ so I'd go with FW800. It's worth the extra over USB if you need the performance.
 
Fair point.

I'd already bought that WD Book this morning from a local supplier.

I've now got 2.5 Terryboobs to play with. Scary how storage has shot up in size the past 10 years.

Now comes the next question, how to split it up (I have 7 different partitions overall), and what sizes to allocate to each, although I've got a fair idea of which for what tbh :)

Thanks again
 
I have 14TB on my DroboPro.. option to go to 16 if I feel so inclined.

No porn :p
 
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