Quiet external hard drive??

Justin · Justin #1 (**permalink**)

02-03-2007, 12:34 PM

Anyone know a quiet external hard drive, around 350 to 500GB? I have seen an I-O DATA 500GB hard drive that has no fan, but it still makes an annoying whizzing sound as the disk rotates, and on top of that if it sits on a desk the vibration is transmitted through the desk to be very loud! Anyone know a good quiet product, that is also reliable?
Thanks!
Justin

Jeff · Jeff #2 (**permalink**)

02-04-2007, 04:08 AM

I really like Western Digital MyBooks. I like them for their looks, their features, and they are quiet. Check 'em out.

Justin · Justin #3 (**permalink**)

02-04-2007, 06:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jeff

I really like Western Digital MyBooks. I like them for their looks, their features, and they are quiet. Check 'em out.

I have seen them on the net. The trouble is, it is impossible to "check them out" in the shops, because they don't let you plug them in and listen to them, which is a shame. And I am failing to find in the net any comparison of drives in terms of noise.

Does anyone have experience with the MiniMax? And the Ministack? I can't work out if they are 2 different products - they look the same. Seems they are designed for the mac mini, as they have the same footprint. They seem expensive compared to other external hard disks. I was hoping that might indicate better reliability and lower noise? Anyone have any experience about them?

Most important for me is really to hear comparisons. Noisy or quiet is so subjective, but it is more clear if "a" is less noisy than "b" and so on!
Or if you know any links!
Thanks all!
Best wishes
Justin

bobtomay · bobtomay #4 (**permalink**)

02-04-2007, 08:30 AM

The only site I'm aware of that really tests sound issues for hardware is www.silentpcreview.com And they are very good at it.

Their hardware reviews focus specifically on audio output of devices. HERE is a link to their storage main page.

christm · christm #5 (**permalink**)

02-04-2007, 11:41 AM

I have a 'MyBook' external hard drive - 320gb

it is quiet as it has no fan and you can rarely here it.

Jeff · Jeff #6 (**permalink**)

02-05-2007, 01:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by christm

I have a 'MyBook' external hard drive - 320gb

it is quiet as it has no fan and you can rarely here it.

I was fairly sure they didn't have fans, but I didn't know if some of the bigger models did, therwise I probably would have mentioned that. Thanks for the clarification though.

slyseeker · slyseeker #7 (**permalink**)

02-05-2007, 10:36 AM

Not sure about Fantom Drives, but this deal came in the mail today.

I'm personally running a Firewire 800 RAID setup I built myself, 2 500GB seagate drives coupled with a Galaxy enclosure. The drives are incredibly quiet, but my enclosure has a fan that could keep babies awake (no off switch).

caribiner23 · caribiner23 #8 (**permalink**)

02-05-2007, 12:57 PM

I've owned a MiniStack V2 for the past year. I put my own WD 300 GB hard drive in it, and when it's running it's quiet as can be.

When it's idle, you don't even know it's standing by.

Hope this helps.

Justin #1 (permalink)
Member Since: Jan 09, 2007 Posts: 178	02-03-2007, 12:34 PM Anyone know a quiet external hard drive, around 350 to 500GB? I have seen an I-O DATA 500GB hard drive that has no fan, but it still makes an annoying whizzing sound as the disk rotates, and on top of that if it sits on a desk the vibration is transmitted through the desk to be very loud! Anyone know a good quiet product, that is also reliable? Thanks! Justin Using brand new macbook
	QUOTE Thanks

Jeff #2 (permalink)
Member Since: Sep 30, 2006 Location: Kansas Posts: 808 Mac Specs: Black MacBook Black 2GB iPod Nano & Black 80GB iPod Classic B&W G3 G4's - PowerMac & Cube	02-04-2007, 04:08 AM I really like Western Digital MyBooks. I like them for their looks, their features, and they are quiet. Check 'em out. Black MacBook Black 2GB iPod Nano & Black 80GB iPod Classic B&W G3 G4's - PowerMac & Cube
	QUOTE Thanks

bobtomay #4 (permalink)
Member Since: Dec 22, 2006 Location: Texas, where else? Posts: 21,819 Mac Specs: 15" MBP 2.33 C2D 256 4GB, MBA 13" i7 1.8, MB 2.0 2GB, Nano 4th, 3GS, iPad 1	02-04-2007, 08:30 AM The only site I'm aware of that really tests sound issues for hardware is www.silentpcreview.com And they are very good at it. Their hardware reviews focus specifically on audio output of devices. HERE is a link to their storage main page. I cannot be held responsible for the things that come out of my mouth. In the Windows world, most everything folks don't understand is called a virus. Place your vote for our Member of the Month
	QUOTE Thanks

christm #5 (permalink)
Member Since: Dec 18, 2005 Location: Devon, England Posts: 2,295 Mac Specs: ibook g4, imac 2ghz c2d, mbp 2.4ghz c2d - 10.5.1	02-04-2007, 11:41 AM I have a 'MyBook' external hard drive - 320gb it is quiet as it has no fan and you can rarely here it. my website-templemurray.com professional event photography updated daily http://www.last.fm/user/christm3 mac tips n tricks - http://uk.youtube.com/christm3
	QUOTE Thanks

caribiner23 #8 (permalink)
Member Since: Feb 06, 2005 Location: Chicago Posts: 1,404 Mac Specs: Macbook; iBook G4 12"; iPod 5G 30GB; iPod Shuffle 1GB	02-05-2007, 12:57 PM I've owned a MiniStack V2 for the past year. I put my own WD 300 GB hard drive in it, and when it's running it's quiet as can be. When it's idle, you don't even know it's standing by. Hope this helps. Cheap Date Show: Real people. Real food. Real date.
	QUOTE Thanks

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slyseeker #7 (permalink)
Member Since: Jun 15, 2006 Location: New York, NY Posts: 103 Mac Specs: 15" PBook G4 1.67/1.5GB	02-05-2007, 10:36 AM Not sure about Fantom Drives, but this deal came in the mail today. I'm personally running a Firewire 800 RAID setup I built myself, 2 500GB seagate drives coupled with a Galaxy enclosure. The drives are incredibly quiet, but my enclosure has a fan that could keep babies awake (no off switch).
	QUOTE Thanks

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