External HD

  • Thread starter Thread starter Zed Rafi
  • Start date Start date
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Zed Rafi

Hello all,

I'm shopping for an external hard drive.

I've got a couple of questions, and hoping some of you guys can answer
them:

- How important is the buffer size? does a difference between 2 MB et 8
MB buffer size in HDs make a big difference in access speed?
- a lot of external disks are called "backup disks" and comprise a
"backup button" that backup a predetermined data set directly onto the
backup disk. Are these drives nevertheless accessible via the explorer
(drag and drop files onto them)?
- usb or firewire? pro and cons for each? got both connector on my
laptop, so both options are open.

thanks a lot
 
Zed Rafi said:
Hello all,

I'm shopping for an external hard drive.

I've got a couple of questions, and hoping some of you guys can answer
them:

- How important is the buffer size? does a difference between 2 MB et 8
MB buffer size in HDs make a big difference in access speed?
Click to expand...

Buffer size improves speed, but is not the only story. There are disks with
2MB that out perform disks with 8MB
- a lot of external disks are called "backup disks" and comprise a
"backup button" that backup a predetermined data set directly onto the
backup disk. Are these drives nevertheless accessible via the explorer
(drag and drop files onto them)?
Click to expand...

I don't know!
- usb or firewire? pro and cons for each? got both connector on my
laptop, so both options are open.
Click to expand...

Speed will be limited by the drive, not the interface, so you choose which
connector you want to use. USB is probably better as you will probably have
more ports. I assume you have USB 2.0. Don't even think about it with USB 1.
 
Zed Rafi said:
I'm shopping for an external hard drive.
Click to expand...

Avoid the Maxtors, the housings are inadequately
designed, not enough cooling for the drive, and
their drives dont like running too hot as well.

None of them have better than a 1 year warranty, so I would
personally buy the housing separately and install a normal drive
in one so I get the full 3 or 5 year warranty normal drives have.
I've got a couple of questions, and hoping
some of you guys can answer them:
Click to expand...
- How important is the buffer size? does a difference between 2 MB
et 8 MB buffer size in HDs make a big difference in access speed?
Click to expand...

You wouldnt be able to pick it in a proper double blind trial.
- a lot of external disks are called "backup disks" and comprise
a "backup button" that backup a predetermined data set directly
onto the backup disk. Are these drives nevertheless accessible
via the explorer (drag and drop files onto them)?
Click to expand...

Normally not.
- usb or firewire? pro and cons for each?
Click to expand...

USB is rather more common on PCs. Firewire is
a little faster, but there isnt a huge amount in it.
got both connector on my laptop, so both options are open.
Click to expand...

It would make sense to get a drive with both, then if the laptop
dies, you can get the data off on a normal PC if required etc.
 
Hello all,

I'm shopping for an external hard drive.

I've got a couple of questions, and hoping some of you guys can answer
them:

- How important is the buffer size?
Click to expand...

Less important than RPM or platter density
does a difference between 2 MB et 8
MB buffer size in HDs make a big difference in access speed?
Click to expand...

No, it makes a little bit of difference. Most things only
make a little bit of difference but cache, even less for
most uses. If you have an unusual use, you should seek
benchmarks for that use.

- a lot of external disks are called "backup disks" and comprise a
"backup button" that backup a predetermined data set directly onto the
backup disk. Are these drives nevertheless accessible via the explorer
(drag and drop files onto them)?
Click to expand...

Normally yes, but there are a LOT of products out there, I
won't guarantee this is how it is on every last one of them,
some might deliberately do something odd and proprietary.

- usb or firewire? pro and cons for each? got both connector on my
laptop, so both options are open.
Click to expand...

Firewire is faster. USB is more common on desktops so it
would be easier to connect it to any random desktop system
you come across. Decide which of these two factors is more
important, OR just buy an external that supports them both.
 
kony said:
No, it makes a little bit of difference. Most things only
make a little bit of difference but cache, even less for
most uses.
Click to expand...

"Most things only make a little bit of difference but cache,
even less for most uses."

WTF are *trying* to say? Did you flunk English?

*TimDaniels*
 
"Most things only make a little bit of difference but cache,
even less for most uses."

WTF are *trying* to say? Did you flunk English?
Click to expand...


You don't have to suffer with ADHD anymore Tim, you could be
enjoying each day instead of being a whiney Troll... just
something to think about.
 
Timothy Daniels said:
"Most things only make a little bit of difference but cache,
even less for most uses."

WTF are *trying* to say? Did you flunk English?
Click to expand...

Since when was the word 'flunk' english? American perhaps, but not English!
 
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