External Hard Drive Advice Needed!!

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Author Message   composerjohn Citizen Username: Composerjohn Post Number: 49 Registered: 8-2004 Posted on Sunday, November 7, 2004 - 2:40 pm:        I am planning to buy a LaCie 400GB Triple Interface Hard Drive. One model comes with a buffer of 2MB (SKU #300720), the other with a buffer of 8MB (SKU 300927). Which is better? Why? Also, is LaCie a good brand to get? Any other recommendations for a 400GB drive? I need the drive for audio and visual files.   monster Citizen Username: Monster Post Number: 359 Registered: 7-2002 Posted on Sunday, November 7, 2004 - 11:45 pm:        For your uses it would be better to get a 8MB buffer drive (or larger now), this will allow for faster access to your data as needed over a 2MB buffer. If you are only using the drive as storage and your work disk (your scratch disk) will be different, then it really doesn't matter. I usually prefer to recommend Seagate drives, I've found that not only are they quieter than other drives but overall they tend to have greater reliability. That being said, right now I would probably buy 2 of these Maxtor drives: 300GB, 7200RPM, Internal ATA/133, WITH 16MB cache, for $199.99 http://www.compusa.com/products/product_info.asp?product_code=316141&pfp=srch1 or $399.98 for 2 drives equaling 600 gigs before formatting. I would take these two drives and put them each in one of these external cases, http://eshop.macsales.com/AddToBasket.cfm?ID=5775&Item=OWCMEFW800 granted they are $119.99 each, but if I was a professional or serious amateur, this is what I would do. Of course this assumes that I am using these two disks as my working disks and not my storage disks, I would also be using a Mac running OS 10.3.6 (Panther), and using Disk Utility to set up these 2 drives as a software striped RAID array. After finishing the project I was working on I would archive the raw data to DVD's and burn the finished project on the same or on a CD depending on the format and/or size. One might also consider putting 2 (or more) drives into a case such as the ones found here, http://www.cooldrives.com/firen.html , either for a RAID array or as individual drives. The type of interface you plan on using is a factor in the case you need, if you must have an external case or internal, if you need FireWire (800/400), and/or USB 2, or all 3 if you plan on using the drives in various locations or various computer interfaces. Also keep in mind that as soon as you think you find the best deal, have it in your hands, and hook it up...you run across something better within a few days...almost never fails.