Best External MBP Storage Solution? at DVinfo.net

Jordan Berry · October 25th, 2008, 01:12 AM

Hello,

I have a 17" MBP 2.5Ghz, I bought it in July so it's not the newest version.

Right now I have a 500GB external HD that connects via USB.

I'd like to get a smaller, rugged, external RAID 1 solution. Basically I really don't want to loose everything if a hd fails.

I'm not sure how much of a difference it would make but either USB or SATA appeal to me.

Suggestions?

Andy Mees · October 25th, 2008, 03:36 AM

Lacie Little Big Disc Quadra
LaCie - Little Big Disk Quadra - eSATA 3Gbits, FireWire 800, FireWire 400, USB 2.0

William Hohauser · October 25th, 2008, 08:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jordan Berry

Hello,

I have a 17" MBP 2.5Ghz, I bought it in July so it's not the newest version.

Right now I have a 500GB external HD that connects via USB.

I'd like to get a smaller, rugged, external RAID 1 solution. Basically I really don't want to loose everything if a hd fails.

I'm not sure how much of a difference it would make but either USB or SATA appeal to me.

Suggestions?

Are you using it for video or just back-up? I would suggest a FireWire400 or 800 drive if you are using it for heavy video work especially if you are using RAID1. eSATA is great but you'll need to get an ExpressCard to use it. Go to Other World Computing also and check out their wide offerings.

Justin Benn · October 25th, 2008, 09:23 AM

Sonnet Fusion F2. Got the Expresscard/eSATA card too. So far, so good. May get another. I'm using mine for video. For storage, OWC, Caldigit, or something D.I.Y. based on a Highpoint RAID card would suit my needs.

Sonnet - Fusion F2: Portable RAID SATA Storage System

Jordan Berry · October 25th, 2008, 01:13 PM

Thanks for posting guys. Both of these options look very appealing.

For me it's especially nice that the Sonnet solution can be powered via firewire. However obviously you're going to pay for that feature, along with many others.

Thank you everyone, you have provided what appears to be two great solutions.

Les Wilson · October 25th, 2008, 08:45 PM

Portable Firewire drives with 2.5" disk drives are powered by the Firewire. It's called bus powered. It's USB that is hit or miss or you have to use multiple USB ports/cables to power a single drive and then you cannot daisy chain more drives. Firewire has always supported bus powered portable drives. However, desktop drives are not bus powered. Wiebetech and G-technology have well respected bus-powered units.

October 25th, 2008, 01:12 AM	#1
Jordan Berry Regular Crew Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Kansas City, MO Posts: 128	Best External MBP Storage Solution? Hello, I have a 17" MBP 2.5Ghz, I bought it in July so it's not the newest version. Right now I have a 500GB external HD that connects via USB. I'd like to get a smaller, rugged, external RAID 1 solution. Basically I really don't want to loose everything if a hd fails. I'm not sure how much of a difference it would make but either USB or SATA appeal to me. Suggestions? __________________ BerryGood Video LLC Kansas City, Missouri

October 25th, 2008, 09:23 AM	#4
Justin Benn Major Player Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: York, UK. Posts: 224	Enjoying this one. Sonnet Fusion F2. Got the Expresscard/eSATA card too. So far, so good. May get another. I'm using mine for video. For storage, OWC, Caldigit, or something D.I.Y. based on a Highpoint RAID card would suit my needs. Sonnet - Fusion F2: Portable RAID SATA Storage System

October 25th, 2008, 01:13 PM	#5
Jordan Berry Regular Crew Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Kansas City, MO Posts: 128	Thanks for posting guys. Both of these options look very appealing. For me it's especially nice that the Sonnet solution can be powered via firewire. However obviously you're going to pay for that feature, along with many others. Thank you everyone, you have provided what appears to be two great solutions. __________________ BerryGood Video LLC Kansas City, Missouri

October 25th, 2008, 03:36 AM	#2
Andy Mees Major Player Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Posts: 645	Lacie Little Big Disc Quadra LaCie - Little Big Disk Quadra - eSATA 3Gbits, FireWire 800, FireWire 400, USB 2.0

October 25th, 2008, 08:45 PM	#6
Les Wilson Inner Circle Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Boca Raton, FL Posts: 3,014	Portable Firewire drives with 2.5" disk drives are powered by the Firewire. It's called bus powered. It's USB that is hit or miss or you have to use multiple USB ports/cables to power a single drive and then you cannot daisy chain more drives. Firewire has always supported bus powered portable drives. However, desktop drives are not bus powered. Wiebetech and G-technology have well respected bus-powered units.