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Apple Computing Products:
macOS - Desktop Hardware
Speed of my USB?
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<blockquote data-quote="hughvane" data-source="post: 762055" data-attributes="member: 56231"><p>With respect to Chilbear, and I'm almost sure it's what he meant, 400 and 800 refer to <strong>Firewire</strong> speed (not USB). </p><p></p><p>USB2 on your machine is rated at 480 Mb/sec and that's as fast as it gets. USB on Macs isn't the greatest, so Apple say that 480 is an indicative speed, and generally qualify USB speed as 'variable'.</p><p></p><p>Do as much research into WD external drives. Lots of people use them, but read the critical reviews rather than opinions.</p><p></p><p>In your situation, with such a powerhouse Intel machine, I would strongly suggest that you go firewire, or combo firewire/USB2. Buy a reputable enclosure with a fully Mac-compatible chipset (Oxford).</p><p></p><p>I note you're in NZ (like me) but one of the better places to look for both the right type of external hard drive and a good enclosure is OWC <a href="http://eshop.macsales.com/" target="_blank">Find the latest Performance Upgrades, Firewire and USB Hard Drives, SATA, Memory, Laptop Battery, and more at OWC</a></p><p></p><p>Importing hardware from the US is not hugely expensive, and for personal use you're unlikely to have to pay duty. Prices of Mac hardware in NZ are too expensive. Maybe look across the Tasman for places there, since they often mirror US sales sites. TradeMe and Zillion might have something too.</p><p></p><p>FWIW - I like Hitachi drives, reliable and quiet, with good reviews. Some will say Seagate, others Samsung, so in the end it's your choice. Happy buying!</p><p></p><p>PS. PM me if you think I can help you directly.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="hughvane, post: 762055, member: 56231"] With respect to Chilbear, and I'm almost sure it's what he meant, 400 and 800 refer to [B]Firewire[/B] speed (not USB). USB2 on your machine is rated at 480 Mb/sec and that's as fast as it gets. USB on Macs isn't the greatest, so Apple say that 480 is an indicative speed, and generally qualify USB speed as 'variable'. Do as much research into WD external drives. Lots of people use them, but read the critical reviews rather than opinions. In your situation, with such a powerhouse Intel machine, I would strongly suggest that you go firewire, or combo firewire/USB2. Buy a reputable enclosure with a fully Mac-compatible chipset (Oxford). I note you're in NZ (like me) but one of the better places to look for both the right type of external hard drive and a good enclosure is OWC [URL="http://eshop.macsales.com/"]Find the latest Performance Upgrades, Firewire and USB Hard Drives, SATA, Memory, Laptop Battery, and more at OWC[/URL] Importing hardware from the US is not hugely expensive, and for personal use you're unlikely to have to pay duty. Prices of Mac hardware in NZ are too expensive. Maybe look across the Tasman for places there, since they often mirror US sales sites. TradeMe and Zillion might have something too. FWIW - I like Hitachi drives, reliable and quiet, with good reviews. Some will say Seagate, others Samsung, so in the end it's your choice. Happy buying! PS. PM me if you think I can help you directly. [/QUOTE]
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Apple Computing Products:
macOS - Desktop Hardware
Speed of my USB?
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