Right now we are in discussion on which FireWire interface we should use for the next ICY DOCK MAC enclosure.
Should ICY DOCK choose FireWire 400 (IEEE 1394a) or FireWire 800 (IEEE 1394b)?
IC Y DOCK would like to know what does Mac user think about what would be the best interface for Mac and what is the Mac user working habit and preference on enclosure interface?
Why choose? Why not have both, as well as USB 2.0 with a Serial-ATA connection for the hard drive.
ReplyDeleteOK, this one is tough for me.
ReplyDeleteEventually, I know I am going to have a machine with FW 800, though I don't now. Thing is, I think Apple has 3 computers with FireWire 800. Actually, the only ones that don't is the Mac Mini and the Macbook. So all but 2 of the new models use FW800.
I'm reviewing a hard drive enclosure right now that has eSATA and FW800 (2) on it. My Mac Mini only has one 400 port, so I have to use a 9 pin to 6 pin cable. Not a problem, unless you want to daisy-chain something else to it, say my video camera. Try getting a 9 pin to 4 pin cable!
Now, will eSATA get bigger than 800? It's twice as fast, but none of the macs use it, and you have to get a card for the Mac Pro.
So, the tough part. Is the drive being faster justify the expense? What is the external drive usually used for? Backup? Data storage? Does it HAVE to be twice as fast as 400? Or just convenient? Is 800 stable enough? How will Leopard and Time Machine change the external drive requirements?
Personally, I think RAID options will be more important than speed right now.
We found FW800<->FW400 Cable
ReplyDeletePlease check the link below:
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http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00016W6MS/yahoo-ce-20/ref=nosim
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Any suggestion?
Thats all fine and dandy.... but where can I find a MB561???
ReplyDeleteI've looked everywhere, and nobody seems to carry it. Is there a way to purchase direct from you?
-d0c-
You may find MB561s-4s selling at newegg.com
ReplyDelete(http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16817994037)
FW is not yet as widely available and I am not sure if it will ever be, since it seems like apple itself is not even pushing it. I think FW 400 is fine but if that drives the price too high, then drop it. From what I see it, eSATA will eventually overtake the FW and even possible USB. I think USB and eSATA (and possibly the Nic) are more of the future.
ReplyDeleteFireWire800 is *not* just for Macs. I have on in my PC exactly for speed reasons as I normaly do full backups. A eSATA+FW800+USB2.0 combo therefore would be the best. But obviously the most expensive solution too. But I would allways pay for speed if I can get it.
ReplyDeleteHey, forget Newegg, they want $400, I found it for $260!
ReplyDeleteGuy
https://www.centralcomputer.com/itemdetail.asp?item=DRIZZZICYB4R
I'm inclined to agree with Paul. The more connections you can offer your customers, the happier they'll be.
ReplyDeletefirewire 800 please. I have a powerbook and new 24" c2d iMac so it's my best option...
ReplyDeleteI'm currently using 2 icy dock enclosures. MB559UEB-1SMB with a WD Black 1Tb using FW800 and an MB559UEA-1S with a WD Black 640Mb drive connected with USB 2.0. The UEA was my first purchase to replace an external that was coupled to a Dell laptop. I recently upgraded to the new Macbook Pro laptop and decided to add the UEB to take advantage of the FW800. After the significant increase in transfer speeds I plan to upgrade at least one and possibly add another TB of storage coupled with an Expresscard/34 using eSata to run both getting the 3Gb/s speeds.
ReplyDeleteWhat would be great however since my MbP is a late 2008 edition with the expansion slot would be an enclosure with FW800 and eSata since Mac is replacing the FW400 with the bilingual FW800. This would eliminate any problems in case I need to connect the drive to another mac that does not have the ability to connect via eSata but does have FW.
FW 800 is best because it is backwards compatible with FW400 if you don't have a 800 port than you can use a 800 to 400 cable
ReplyDeleteThe first comment is the most sensible after all do you want to limit who you can sell to? The more options the more different people and computers can use it and thus the more purchasers
ReplyDelete