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MadanKnightRyukendo · Mar 20, 2009, 03:29 PM

Okay, so I've read that USB 1.1 ports can run up to 12 MB/s. Assuming I'm looking at it the right way, and I'm pretty sure I am, my Titanium PowerBook's ports don't seem to be operating anywhere near that. Is there any way I can test to see just how they're operating, and if somehow they're not transferring near the correct rate, is there a way to boost the ports?

I ask because I'm transferring to a new college in the fall where I'll be living on campus, and I'd like to get an external hard drive for backup, but Firewire isn't too easy to find outside of online ordering, and with how slow my USB ports seem to be operating, I don't think a USB hard drive would be a good enough choice.

Laminar · Mar 20, 2009, 03:41 PM

Open up Activity Monitor (Found in /Applications/Utilities/) and click the "Disk Activity" tab. Start copying a big file to a USB hard drive or flash drive and monitor the transfer rates. Keep in mind that one megabyte (MB) is 8 megabits (mb). So your 12 megabit USB 1.1 connection should transfer data no faster than 1.5 megabytes/second.

MadanKnightRyukendo · Mar 20, 2009, 03:49 PM

Okay, so during a transfer of a roughly 230 MB video file onto my Sandisk Cruzer Micro (USB 2.0), the highest I've seen the "Data Written/Sec." go is around 900 KB/s, but that was only momentarily. The general speed it's remained around is somewhere between 700-770 KB/s, which obviously seems relatively slow.

Laminar · Mar 20, 2009, 04:19 PM

It's my general perception that transfers to flash drives are slower than hard drives. Is there a specific reason you're avoiding buying a hard drive online? Firewire really does look like the best option for you and you'll find just about anything cheaper online.

MadanKnightRyukendo · Mar 20, 2009, 04:34 PM

When it comes to electronics, I'm not a big fan of buying online in case something is up with my purchase or I'm not happy with it. The last time I bought computer stuff online, an LCD I bought was completely defective, and the site I bought it from had a no return policy, and I couldn't get a hold of the manufacturer with any number I could find.

Laminar · Mar 20, 2009, 05:01 PM

If it provides any comfort, millions of people purchase things online without issue - buy from someone wellknown (NewEgg, TigerDirect, Amazon, etc.) and you're less likely to have problems, and when you do you have real customer service.

mduell · Mar 20, 2009, 05:19 PM

750KBps (6Mbps) is about all you can expect from USB 1.x.

Simon · Mar 21, 2009, 03:19 AM

Originally Posted by MadanKnightRyukendo

Okay, so I've read that USB 1.1 ports can run up to 12 MB/s.

You're expecting far too much from USB 1. It's 12 Mb/s, not MB/s. Typical figures for real world use are below 900 KB/s (~7 Mb/s).

ghporter · Mar 21, 2009, 08:01 AM

Originally Posted by MadanKnightRyukendo

Okay, so I've read that USB 1.1 ports can run up to 12 MB/s.

Originally Posted by Simon

You're expecting far too much from USB 1. It's 12 Mb/s, not MB/s. Typical figures for real world use are below 900 KB/s (~7 Mb/s).

The whole "MB/s" vs "Mb/s" thing catches a lot of people. The theoretical max transfer speed for USB 1.1 is approximately 12 megaBITS per second-and like with the distinction between "GB" versus "trillions of bytes" in hard drives, I think USB device manufacturers take advantage of so few people recognizing the difference between the 'b' and 'B' in the abbreviations they use.

12Mb ~~ 1.5megaBYTES, and remember, the stated "12Mbps" is a theoretical maximum, discounting things like flow control and error handling. Further, Simon's "real world" 900 kBps reflects the use of good quality cables and good drivers. I'd call that number "very good performance" for USB 1.1.

Cold Warrior · Mar 21, 2009, 10:53 AM

madan, bottom line is everything looks in order with the speeds you're getting. I suggest reconsidering your feelings about online ordering. Stick to top reputable sites (Laminar suggested several) and you'll be fine. This way you could get a Firewire + USB 2.0 solution.

Andrew Stephens · Mar 22, 2009, 03:53 AM

or buy a PCMCIA card for your TiBooks Cardbus slot. USB 2.0 cards are quite cheap.

Cold Warrior · Mar 22, 2009, 08:34 AM

Originally Posted by Andrew Stephens

or buy a PCMCIA card for your TiBooks Cardbus slot. USB 2.0 cards are quite cheap.

I forgot about its card slot. Good idea.

ghporter · Mar 22, 2009, 09:29 PM

I saw USB 2.0 PC cards (the old "initials" term was depricated years ago) yesterday for less than $35 at a discount store. Well worth it, I think.