Thanks, Moose. Since I only backup once a week, speed is not an issue for
me. Your setup, however, does sound interesting.
Jim Nichols
Tullahoma, TN USA
----- Original Message -----
From: "Moose" <olymoose@xxxxxxxxx>
To: "Olympus Camera Discussion" <olympus@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Monday, February 02, 2009 4:30 PM
Subject: Re: [OM] Western Digital My Passport Essential USB 2.0-Powered
External Drives
> Jim Nichols wrote:
>> Are any of you using Western Digital My Passport Essential USB
>> 2.0-powered external hard drives? If so, what are your comments on these
>> as to suitability for backup use, and reliability?
>>
>
> I'm simply not buying any external HD which is USB 2.0 only. eSATA is
> WAY faster, 5x the speed, and only a very few $ more, if that. Maybe it
> shouldn't make a difference for a drive planned for backup use only, but
> it does for me. I simply find it easier when the process goes faster.
>
> I have a couple of earlier external HDs with only USB 2.0, one also with
> Firewire 400/800, a couple with eSATA and an eSATA docking station (or
> "toaster"). So far, all eSATA devices I've seen also have a USB 2.0
> interface. Specs say USB 2.0 should be slightly faster than Firewire
> 400. PC users seem to find USB better and Mac user seem to generally
> find Firewire 400 faster. I don't know how much is perception and how
> much is actual hardware/software implementation. I haven't noticed any
> obvious difference.
>
> The difference between them and eSATA is huge and immediately obvious.
> The external drive connection is just the same speed as my internal
> drives. For regular use as additional HD space, an enclosed device is
> smaller and prettier. I have a Vantech and a BeyondMicro and both have
> been flawless in use. For back-up use, where multiple drives and/or
> remote storage are contemplated, a docking station is most convenient
> and cost effective, as one needs only one device for multiple HDs. I've
> been happily using the Thermaltake BlacX docking station that Chuck
> posted links to more than once.
> <http://www.amazon.com/Thermaltake-BlacX-eSATA-Docking-Station/dp/B001A4HAFS/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1233613481&sr=8-1>
>
>
> The WD and Seagate back-up hard drive packages are nice marketing, but
> really offer nothing a toaster or other brand HD enclosure and a free
> back-up app like SyncBack don't have, but don't offer eSATA. Even if I
> didn't have eSATA yet, I'd look to the future and get a device that
> supported both USB 2.0 and eSATA.
>
> Before I went eSATA, I looked at the MyBooks and similar devices. As I
> recall there were some reports of overheating related failures of
> MyBooks in user reviews. What % of users that might represent and what
> local conditions might contribute to the problem, I don't know.
>
> Moose
> --
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