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GBB
09-30-2009, 11:07 PM
It's time for me to get an external hard drive for my macbook. After doing extensive research, I have come to the conclusion that these two models offer me the best bang for my buck. I'm not exactly in a position to be dropping loads of money on an external hard drive right now.

Option 1 (http://eshop.macsales.com/item/Other%20World%20Computing/MAU4S7320G16/) is a 320gb OWC with Firewire 400.

Option 2 is 500gb Iomega also with Firewire 400.

Anyone have any experience with any of these, or have any other suggestions?
ml242
09-30-2009, 11:29 PM
voting for option 2.
ml242
09-30-2009, 11:32 PM
ah, 1TB though for $120 shipped.

http://www.pcconnection.com/IPA/Shop/Product/Detail.htm?sku=8515324&SourceID=k77616
GBB
09-30-2009, 11:33 PM
Any particular reason why you pick option 2?
ml242
09-30-2009, 11:41 PM
yes.

OWC is overpriced.
advres
10-01-2009, 03:45 AM
Option 1.

While OWC may be slightly higher priced than competitiors, I have never had one fail, their customer service is top notch, RMA's go quick with them (got bad RAM), etc.

That OWC has a 3 year warranty in case anything goes wrong and the Iomega has a 1 year warranty.

Even on Iomegas website they don't list what drive is in the enclosure. With OWC, you are getting a nice Hitachi drive.

Iomega doesn't list (again, even on their website) how many RPMs the drive spins at. Buying anything that spins under 7200RPM is a mistake. Unfortunately, you don't know if it is 7200 with the Iomega.

Given the vagueness on the Iomega website, I wouldn't touch that thing with a 10-foot pole.

Quick rule of thumb... buy the most capacity you can afford. If you are doing ANYTHING that involves video files (even keeping movies on there you *cough* bought online *cough*). With video quality getting better daily, file sizes are growing like crazy. I was amazed how quick 2TB filled up, but then again I work with HD video for a living.
The Dad
10-01-2009, 04:30 AM
Different league, I know, but I am officially a very happy Time Capsule user. With my MacBook, backups seriously could not be easier. The print sharing function works well. And I had a colleague over today, working on editing some sound files she had on her machine, and we just moved them to the Time Capsule and used them as a server. Seamless.

If you think you might want to add or replace a router or print server, it's tough to beat.
gaijin
10-01-2009, 05:34 AM
I don't see any reason not to go a full TB. The prices have come down by roughly 400% in the last year.
ml242
10-01-2009, 08:32 AM
from Amazon right in the middle of the page:

Technical Details
Device Type - External
Removable Storage Type - Hard Drive
Storage Capacity - 500GB
Storage Interface Type - USB2.0/ FireWire 400
Rotational Speed -- 7200 rpm

OWC costs too much. IF he was set on the OWC hard drive, i would tell him to search for that make and model on new egg and to pocket the $35. They sell the same shit to mac JONGS who can't bother looking anywhere else to save money.

My vote remains the Lacie I linked to. $20 more for twice as much storage.
kalisto
10-01-2009, 08:36 AM
from Amazon right in the middle of the page:

Technical Details
Device Type - External
Removable Storage Type - Hard Drive
Storage Capacity - 500GB
Storage Interface Type - USB2.0/ FireWire 400
Rotational Speed -- 7200 rpm

OWC costs too much. IF he was set on the OWC hard drive, i would tell him to search for that make and model on new egg and to pocket the $35. They sell the same shit to mac JONGS who can't bother looking anywhere else to save money.

My vote remains the Lacie I linked to. $20 more for twice as much storage.

Meh... Lacie quality scares me a bit... and by a bit, I mean a lot.

If this makes any sense to the OP, get an external enclosure, then just pick up a quality HD. You should save a bunch, and have the potential to swap out the drive at a later date, or if the enclosure hardware dies...
ml242
10-01-2009, 08:49 AM
yeah, it kind of depends what you want to do with it.

But would I rather have a cheapo 320 for $100 or a lacie TB for $120?
It isn't even close. I also use the Lacie enclosures as just that - there's usually just a few screws keeping the drive together so I can keep different hard drives stored in my desk drawer. I always like to have one clean install to carbon copy just in case.
advres
10-01-2009, 10:24 AM
Funny you should mention Lacie. I just had 2 500Gers crap out this week at work. And I have had a couple more crap out in the past. They are the ONLY FW drives I have had continue problems with.

Yeah... maybe I'm not COOL enough to search to save a couple of bucks. I have used Other World for longer than NewEgg has been around. You know, back when there were only a select few people used macs and getting hardware and decent support wasn't easy?

I'll continue to support and awesome company, that makes kickass products and spend a couple extra bucks.
ml242
10-01-2009, 10:55 AM
Was it the drive or the enclosure that crapped out? They're on my shit list right now but i've had seagates, maxtors, ibm's, and toshibas crap out on me.

and FWIW

I'm not exactly in a position to be dropping loads of money on an external hard drive right now.
grskier
10-01-2009, 11:03 AM
Been stoked on OWC, and their customer service.. they hooked it up when I fried my drive (my fault), they just replaced a few pieces and sent it back, no questions, no delay.
GBB
10-01-2009, 06:49 PM
Thanks for all the input everyone.
Just pulled the trigger on a 500gb OWC.
advres
10-01-2009, 09:05 PM
Thanks for all the input everyone.
Just pulled the trigger on a 500gb OWC.

Good choice, I don't think you will be disappointed. Seriously the shit is quality and if ANYTHING happens in the next 3 years you are sure to get it replaced but that still doesn't do anything for the info you stored. ;)
ml242
10-05-2009, 09:49 AM
this is stupid cheap and flexible.

http://www.techbargains.com/news_displayItem.cfm/180148
dfinn
10-05-2009, 12:44 PM
this is stupid cheap and flexible.

http://www.techbargains.com/news_displayItem.cfm/180148

That would've been an insane deal but it appears that first Dell raised the price and now they are out of stock.
advres
10-05-2009, 12:46 PM
Their cables suck, you will need to buy a new one. This guy I was cutting a promo for gave me one and it would unmount by just bumping the table too hard. Constant annoyance when using it as a media drive editing video. Maybe it was just a fluke, but I saw them all the time for mad cheap at Micro Center and just because of that one experience I didn't buy them. I did get the job done though and I finished the project with it. I just had to walk on egg shells around the table. ;)