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General discussion

external hard drive

Dec 25, 2007 8:04PM PST

Hi

I would like to buy for a MBP an External Desktop Drive.
This will be my first one.
Could you please recommend me some good quality hard drive.
Also could you please tell me when I am choosing what options to look for please?
I am looking for sth between 300-500 GB,


thanks for your help

Discussion is locked

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External Hard Drive
Dec 25, 2007 9:00PM PST

Take a look at LaCie, 3G, Maxtor or any of the well known suppliers. They all make good enclosures.

Check out Macsales.com, MacMall.com, CDW.com or Newegg.com They all offer decent drives for decent prices.
You should be looking for a drive with a Firewire (IEE1394) interface, if it has USB 2.0 as well then that is a bonus. Firewire is the connectivity method of choice for the Mac.

Let us know what you decide

P

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I recommend SeaGate.
Dec 26, 2007 1:49PM PST

I got a 250GB USB drive at CC for just $80. Now I've seen some 320 GB ones for $150, and they are the SeaGate Desktop Pro models. But anything that fits your budget, uses FireWire, and has the appropriate storage should suffice, depending on what brand you choose. Or you could wait a year or two until the new FireWire interface comes out in multiple large external drives. Speedy! LOL.

-BMF

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external HD
Dec 27, 2007 6:38AM PST

Which Mac OS are you using? Tiger or Leopard? Advice differs depending on your current OS. How do you want to use the ext. HD? Back-up, only or bootable, too?

If you have a massive Photo collection then, also save them to archival DVDs.


For "bootable" and back-up:
I would suggest Super Duper application, the paid version, over CCC for Tiger. It is easy to set up for a newbie, reliable, & gets all the bits & pieces, plus, makes bootable drive. They are working on a Leopard version, so be sure to check if it is now available.

Also, I like these external firewire/usb 2.0 combos which are bootable:

A variety of choices and sizes from OWC sales, a very reliable company
http://eshop.macsales.com/shop/firewire/1394/USB/EliteAL/eSATA_FW800_FW400_USB

Also, this one designed especially for the Mini, but excellent for all macs.

http://www.newertech.com/products/ministackv2.php


And, from, Headgap folks:
http://resale.headgap.com/

All the above have fans to keep drives cool, as well, and are available as kits, too.

For Leopard, many are happy with CCC, I have not tried it. Always good to check the various Mac Forums, like
MacFixit.com, MacWorld.com, and google the new CCC for any issues.

Happy New Year,
Cali-Kate

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external HD
Dec 27, 2007 7:04PM PST

thanks for the reply.
i am using leopard OS on mac book pro.

i would like to ask you what exactly is bootable please?

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Bootable
Dec 27, 2007 8:55PM PST

means that if there is a valid OS installed on the external drive, then the Mac can boot from it.

With very few exceptions, external drives can be made bootable.

P

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re: what is "bootable", etc.
Dec 29, 2007 1:39AM PST

If anything should happen to your internal drive ( and it can on a portable), it is always a good idea to have a complete back-up of the drive plus have one that can boot up in Leopard. Here is an article with more info: http://tinyurl.com/2wdax5

Be sure to get a firewire external drive which is "bootable", the ones I suggested all have the proper Oxford Chipset to be "bootable" and have fans to keep the drives cool.

If you are new to using Macs, here are some tips:

Apple has a great program to help you learn about your Mac.
**One to One, which is a,
http://www.apple.com/retail/onetoone

Basics:

http://www.apple.com/support/leopard
http://www.apple.com/support/macbookpro
http://www.apple.com/support/quickassist/
http://www.apple.com/support/mac101


*There are online tutorials at Apple for iLife:
http://www.apple.com/support/ilife/
& iWork: http://www.apple.com/support/iwork

ProCare: http://www.apple.com/retail/procare
More help:
http://www.myfirstmac.com
http://www.macinstruct.com/node/124
http://newmacuser.com

You can p/u extra Ram & Applecare ( a must), for less cost by doing a dealmac.com
search or from dealers above, or off eBay or from MUGS:
http://www.apple.com/usergroups & http://MacOSG.com
*Apple offers discounts for students & educators.

*p/u a copy of David Pogue book: the Missing Manual for Leopard (invaluable resource)

*For new Switchers from PC to Mac:
http://www.apple.com/support/switch101
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?path=Mac/10.4/en/cdb_whatcalled.html

http://www.xvsxp.com

http://www.switchingtomac.com

http://lifehacker.com/software/mac/hack-attack-a-guide-for-switching-to


- No worry about viruses: Mac Viruses=0 PC=150,000+
Do not put Norton/Systemworks on your Mac!
Norton can Harm your Mac. uninstall if you have it!

*More, After purchase, support & training & seminars:
- http://www.apple.com/pro/resources/
- http://www.apple.com/retail/procare/
http://www.seminars.apple.com/cgi-bin/WebObjects/ASPRegistration.woa/wa/home?loc\
s=us_en

*There are workshops for Business, Design, and more to introduce you
to Macs; http://www.apple.com/retail/business/businessworkshops/

*For Apps, Fun & Work & Games:
http://guide.apple.com/index.lasso (all made4mac apps, utilities,
games etc.)

*For comparisons of hardware and apps, etc.
http://guides.macrumors.com/Mac_Beginner's_Guide

** For Questions, Problems, and, lots of answers:

Very good info can be found at: http://www.macfixit.com/,
www.macosxhints.com, macworld.com or google Mac forums
and, apple.com/support and go to discussions

-Invaluable resource, is Randy B.Singer:
http://www.macattorney.com/ts.html


Here is a very useful group of links for New Users, and, great for
everyone:

http://www.macmerc.com/articles/Power_User_Monday_Tip_of_the_Week/255

http://www.thexlab.com/faqs/repairprocess.html

http://macs.about.com/od/softwareandutilities/a/top_freeware.htm

*Back-up, back-up, back-up and back-up.

- Always try the Help feature in the top menu of the finder, and any
app for lots of info


**Caution: there are some issues with 3rd party apps & MAC OS Leopard which you should check out first:

The TidBITS compatibility list:
http://db.tidbits.com/article/9281

MacRumors list:
http://guides.macrumors.com/
List_of_Applications_Not_Compatible_with_Leopard

Leopard Software Incompatibilities from Macintouch:
http://www.macintouch.com/leopard/compat.html

MacFixIt: Incompatible third-party software and hardware
http://www.macfixit.com/article.php?story=20071030122926454

Happy New Year

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Stunning.
Dec 29, 2007 1:52AM PST

The answer is out there...

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re: what is "bootable", etc.
Dec 29, 2007 3:32AM PST

thank you so much for the helpful answer !