So, you can install a USB driver to give faster access under WIndows. Begs the question: does this then give better performance under MacOS and Linux, or are they just better written in the first place so there is no NEED for third party code? Can you do a comparison of transfer speed with the other OSs please?
As to vibration, in my experience 3.5" external hard discs can cause annoying vibrations which are often heard as much as felt. I have a rubber pad under mine to cut down on them. So it IS an issue; whether the thin coating on the faces of this drive damps it significantly is a moot point.
Rubber isn't a very good conductor of heat - I wonder how much the casing raises the temperature of the drive compared with a metal enclosure?
Enabling faster USB in Windows then unplugging the drive and connecting it to a Mac doesn't change the data-transfer speed on the Mac. The faster transfer speed is solely between Windows PC and external HDD.
Yes I understand that - it's a USB driver for Windows. What interests me is how Windows performs with that driver compared with default MacOS and Linux, as in your summary you say that "for Windows users Turbo Mode speeds up file transfers" from which it could be inferred that Windows has an advantage over the other OSs when using this driver. However, it might be the case that the other OSs are faster in the first place.
If you look at the graph they all scream the same thing "USB Bus Limits". So in order to overcome it you either have to compress or to somehow tweak the protocol. Interesting... which one are they actually doing.
I don't think that's what Handle meant, Tony. I think Handle was suggesting that the Turbo USB drivers under Windows would probably only bring transfer speeds up to those you would get by default under Linux or Mac OS's - the assumption being that Linux/Mac drivers will be far better written than Microsoft ones - and was looking for you to produce evidence to support his fanboi-ism.
You'll have to invent a new pejorative term I'm afraid - it's not "fanboi-ism" towards both MacOS and Linux (indeed how could it be towards two such philosophically-different OSs?); it's "!fanboi-ism" towards Windows!
Remember there are plenty of reports of slow file transfers under Windows Vista.
Pun not intended, but really, rubber is a rather good heat insulator. Can the drive, being sealed in the rubber case, run for extended periods of time without going whack? Heck, can the case withstand the heat without becoming sticky in a month or two? Especially when used in a tropical climate?
WD My Passport Essential 500GB Portable Hard Drive - Black (USB 2.0)
WD Caviar Black 1TB Hard Drive (Serial ATA-300, 7,200 RPM, 32MB)
WD My Book Essential Edition External 1TB Hard Drive (USB 2.0, 16MB)
Intel X25-M Gen2 160GB 2.5" Solid State Drive (SATA)
WD My Passport Essential Portable 320GB Hard Drive - Black (USB 2.0)
Freecom Hard Drive XS
handle
Faster USB under Windows; vibration; heat #
Posted Tuesday 20th October 2009 12:26 GMT
So, you can install a USB driver to give faster access under WIndows. Begs the question: does this then give better performance under MacOS and Linux, or are they just better written in the first place so there is no NEED for third party code? Can you do a comparison of transfer speed with the other OSs please?
As to vibration, in my experience 3.5" external hard discs can cause annoying vibrations which are often heard as much as felt. I have a rubber pad under mine to cut down on them. So it IS an issue; whether the thin coating on the faces of this drive damps it significantly is a moot point.
Rubber isn't a very good conductor of heat - I wonder how much the casing raises the temperature of the drive compared with a metal enclosure?
Chika
:9 #
Posted Tuesday 20th October 2009 12:30 GMT
Freecom have been doing a 2.5" version for a while now.
Mind you, "rubber-clad external hard drive" is a bit of a mouthful. Couldn't we just call them Gimpdrives instead?
Tony Smith
@handle #
Posted Tuesday 20th October 2009 12:30 GMT
Enabling faster USB in Windows then unplugging the drive and connecting it to a Mac doesn't change the data-transfer speed on the Mac. The faster transfer speed is solely between Windows PC and external HDD.
handle
@Tony #
Posted Tuesday 20th October 2009 14:04 GMT
Yes I understand that - it's a USB driver for Windows. What interests me is how Windows performs with that driver compared with default MacOS and Linux, as in your summary you say that "for Windows users Turbo Mode speeds up file transfers" from which it could be inferred that Windows has an advantage over the other OSs when using this driver. However, it might be the case that the other OSs are faster in the first place.
Anton Ivanov
Re: Faster USB under Windows #
Posted Tuesday 20th October 2009 14:04 GMT
The more interesting question here is "HOW"?
If you look at the graph they all scream the same thing "USB Bus Limits". So in order to overcome it you either have to compress or to somehow tweak the protocol. Interesting... which one are they actually doing.
Anonymous Coward
Can it be a trend please ? #
Posted Tuesday 20th October 2009 14:04 GMT
we need more rubber clad implements.
I just wonder how long it takes before this part of the industry discovers transparent latex :)
But a whole shiny black rubber computer setup.. Much better then any piano white device.
Heck, I'd even polish it with silicone..
Bassey
@ Tony and @Handle #
Posted Tuesday 20th October 2009 14:04 GMT
I don't think that's what Handle meant, Tony. I think Handle was suggesting that the Turbo USB drivers under Windows would probably only bring transfer speeds up to those you would get by default under Linux or Mac OS's - the assumption being that Linux/Mac drivers will be far better written than Microsoft ones - and was looking for you to produce evidence to support his fanboi-ism.
Bob Gulien
@handle #
Posted Tuesday 20th October 2009 14:04 GMT
I have the 1.5Tb version. There is no fan and no, it's not running hot. Also there is absolutely no noise.
I have to hold my hand on the disk to feel it working. The rubber damping the noise as well.
It's running at a adequate speed on my Mac, but my LaCie firewire 800 is obviously a lot faster.
I use the Freecom as a Time Machine backup repository, and for that task it is fast enough. Recommended!
Mathew White
Missing design element #
Posted Tuesday 20th October 2009 14:04 GMT
They forgot to add the Zip.
Tony Smith, Editor, Reg Hardware
@all #
Posted Tuesday 20th October 2009 14:13 GMT
That seems a reasonable request. I shall report back...
Colin Miller
@Anton Ivanov #
Posted Tuesday 20th October 2009 14:16 GMT
I suspect it does on-the-fly compression of data being transferred.
handle
@Bassey #
Posted Tuesday 20th October 2009 15:22 GMT
You'll have to invent a new pejorative term I'm afraid - it's not "fanboi-ism" towards both MacOS and Linux (indeed how could it be towards two such philosophically-different OSs?); it's "!fanboi-ism" towards Windows!
Remember there are plenty of reports of slow file transfers under Windows Vista.
Will 22
Bring out the GIMP!!! #
Posted Tuesday 20th October 2009 15:22 GMT
They missed a trick here.
A rubber hard drive enclosure...
Surely it should have come pre-loaded with a copy of a certain OSS image-manipulation program?
Anonymous Coward
"how often does your desk shake away like a washing machine on a fast spin cycle?" #
Posted Tuesday 20th October 2009 20:44 GMT
Every Saturday night, for the weekly office porn shoot.
Anonymous Coward
Can it take the heat? #
Posted Wednesday 21st October 2009 10:35 GMT
Pun not intended, but really, rubber is a rather good heat insulator. Can the drive, being sealed in the rubber case, run for extended periods of time without going whack? Heck, can the case withstand the heat without becoming sticky in a month or two? Especially when used in a tropical climate?