[Chimpmaster]

I need to buy an external device to backup data on my ibook.

Mainly university reports, but also files downloaded of the internet, patches all that stuff. Stuff so that you can format and start again without too much heartache. I spose as a general rule I might ahve around 1-2gbs of data to backup initially, though I will add to this over time.

Ive been looking at a couple of options. Unfortunately price is a big factor for me, which really cancels out firewire devices.

I could either go with:

a) A usb cd writer - maybe iomega or that new predator which looks good
b) A castlewood orb drive - they are on special at the moment for $399 AUS or around $230 US
c) An Iomega zip 250.
d) An external firewire HD - they are only around $599 here, which is my upper limit.

Firewire cd writers start at $679 here, and that is a little too much.

Based on price, I reckon the orb looks great. So does the Iomega cd writer.

What do you guys think? Any experiences with any of the above products would be appreciated, and any general advice would be great. My timeframe is probably the next month. Thanks ina dvance guys.

[Milio]

Some things you didn't mention are what your backup strategy will be and how accessible you want the individual backed up files to be.

All of the things you mention suggest to me that you are really looking for file storage that is easily and quickly accessible. This is really just offline file storage, but it's not a backup strategy. It's just big floppies. That's fine and what most people do.

A real backup strategy is where you set a schedule to do full system backups and periodic partials. This is usually done to tape because it holds a lot and is intended for system restoration, not access to individual files (though that's possible since they are on the tape.) A common, cheap method is to do a full backup of your entire hard drive to tape once a month, then do weekly incrementals which only backs up changed files. (You could do a full each week and incrementals every day if you're paranoid or have lots of billable work that would cost you a lot to lose.)

What this gives you is if you trash a job you're working on you would probably only need to load it from the most recent tape. If you trash your entire drive, you can get it back to near perfect in less than a day.

However, I gather from your post that you will probably be willing to do a system reinstall and major software installs. Then you would want to copy over your files and run your updates from wherever they are stored.

Given this, I would recommend using getting a Zip or CD-R. The Zip will hold an adequate amount and can also be used as big floppies. It's also more prevalent than the Orb. Zip is cheap as drives go, and you can delete from the disk making it just a big floppy.

CD-R is great for archiving because it's ubiquitous. Any computer can read a CD without much hassle. You don't have to worry about drivers, or system compatability to read the disk. The technology will be around for a while yet, which is more than can be counted on for Orb or Zip. Plus, it can be used for CD copying.

I like Orb, but my collection of old Syquest disks makes me wary of removable storage. Zip is popular enough and cheap enough that I'm less concerned about it.

An external HD is always nice to have around, but it's not the best idea for backups. You end up putting other stuff on it, then deleting what you should keep to make room for something "really cool". And that's when your system goes belly-up.

Now if you want a real backup and want to go with tape, I have used and like the Echo drives. The VXA look nice, but I haven't used them.

And of course, you have to be aware of OS X. Any drive you get will need new drivers for OS X. So far the only thing you can be sure of is Zip, CD-R (with Toast Titanium), and a Firewire HD. Orb, Echo, and VXA will probably be there, but I personally wouldn't buy one until I see it work.

[This message has been edited by Milio (edited 02-03-2001).]

[Chimpmaster]

Thanks for your advice.

Ive noticed that less stores are selling orb disks at the moment thanthey were 6 months ago. This does make me wary and I might skip the orb for now, even thogh I am impressed with the technology.

One thing I dont understand, is why the Iomega 250 zip usb is the same price as the orb usb in this country> weird how they equivalate 250 mb disks with 2.2gb ones. I guess the market dictates that

I might go with cd-r at this stage. I like the idea of making my own music cds from mp3s converted to wav files as well. Its just about finding a really portable one though.

Im an ibook user and stick all my computer stuff in the one stm backpack.

The iomega predator looks like the most portable cd writer on the market. I dont think they are available here yet though. Any ideas how much they retail for in the USA? I really dont want to buy the other model, which is a bulky ugly looking thing.

[ariella]

the iomega 6x4x4x predator is going for about $260 USD. i would not recommend it though. if you have a firewire port, then get a firewire cd-rw. usb is much too slow. if you want one that is very portable and "looks good", i would suggest this one: http://www.archos.com/zone_a/products/product_8.html
or http://www.formac.com/2k/products/cdrw_products.html (better deal)

hopefully they ship to where you live.

[This message has been edited by ariella (edited 02-04-2001).]

[Chimpmaster]

Thanks for the advice.

Unfortunately that mini cd you recommended to me is $319 US for the firewire version. That is more than I wanted to spend.

Over here the predator has just been released (I found out today) for $539AUS - which is around $280US. This may not seem much cheaper, but when i factor in the shipping cost from the US (around $50 US ) thats enough difference. Also that predator drive claims to be 8x4x32 under usb2.0. What does this mean? I checked nad my usb is only version 1.4 or something.

Is usb 2.0 a new driver to come out int he future, or is it a different technology altogether?

Lastly, Iomega claim that they have a firewire adaptor available for the predator drive., and that you can achieve 8x4x32 this way.

Unless someone can unconvince me, Im fairly sold on the predator at this point ..... :>

[Cipher13]

USB 2.0 is a totally new technology based on the same sh!tty underpinnings as USB 1. You won't be able to use a USB 2.0 product on your computer at 2.0 speeds.
Only 1.0, if that is even supported by the current USB drivers
I'd go for a real FireWire product if I were you... I can't help but recommend the Yamaha 8824 FireWire...
Sorry if I'm repeating anything here but I haven't read the thread... my eyes are killing me at the moment, so I'm not gonna read it at the moment either...
Again, sorry if I'm saying things you're already put down or whatever...

Cipher13