[iStudent 2003]

I am stuck trying to decide which external enclosure interface I should go with to backup my MacBook Pro Core 2 Duo (Santa Rosa) using Time Machine. I’ve narrowed it down between Firewire 800 and eSATA. I know that you can’t boot off eSATA like you can with Firewire, but I don’t need that option since Time Machine doesn’t support a bootable backup. I also know that “theoretically” eSATA is faster than Firewire 800 since there’s no encapsulation. I am only using about 50GB out of my 120GB internal hard drive.

Here are my options:

Fantom GF500Q 500GB Quad interface (USB, Firewire 400, Firewire 800, and eSATA)
Price $150

Fantom G-Force GF500EU 500GB USB and eSATA
Price $105
Rosewill ExpressCard/34 Card
Price $20

[CharlesS]

eSATA is faster, but FireWire is more compatible with existing Macs since none have an eSATA port built-in currently. Of course, if you've got USB 2.0, you have compatibility covered anyway, although FW800 can be reasonably fast without the need for an extra card sticking out the side of your machine.

In the end, it's your call.

[bearcatrp]

I would suggest the 500gb firewire/esata, divide the disk in half, clone your drive to one and use time machine for the other. Being able to boot right away from a crash comes in handy.

[CharlesS]

Frankly, I don't understand why eSATA wouldn't be able to boot your Mac, unless the ExpressCard to add eSATA support sucks. After all, eSATA is just a different connector type for SATA, which is the same connection your internal hard drive is using. At any rate, though, Intel Macs can boot from USB 2.0. It's very slow, but better than a boot CD in a pinch.

One nice thing I forgot to mention about FireWire 800 is that it is daisy-chainable, unlike eSATA. If you plan to connect more than one external device to your Mac over time, FW800 is more convenient for that. If that's not an issue, you may be most happy with eSATA as long as you can tolerate the ExpressCard always sticking out the side of your machine.

[mduell]

eSATA any day, especially if you're going to have more than one drive. Faster, cheaper (cost-neutral with one external drive, eSATA is cheaper with two or more external drives), more reliable, etc.