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rozwado1 · May 1, 2002, 12:09 AM

I just got a iBook 500MHz/256MB/DVD/10GB for cheap. I'm going to need more space for music/movies, so i was looking into a 40GB drive. I've been scoping the new Toshiba MK4019GAX on their webpage, but I don't think it's out yet.

Anyone have ideas on a good brand of HD for the iBook? Anything specific I should look for in the drive (besides the size)?

Please include installation horror stories too.
Nick

x user · May 1, 2002, 06:52 PM

Well, I Think a 5400rpm drive would be very desirable

Carl Norum · May 1, 2002, 07:39 PM

Originally posted by x user:
Well, I Think a 5400rpm drive would be very desirable

The problem is finding one for sale. I have yet to see the GAX series drives or the new 60 GB 9.5mm drive for sale anywhere. They are probably still being manufactured OEM-only. I would wait for them to be released to the general public and then check prices.

rozwado1 · May 1, 2002, 10:13 PM

God Carl--you're everywhere on this thing. I felt bad sending you all those e-mails so I posted, but I guess you get the message anyways.

Feel free to take a break once in a while and thanks again for the advice. Nick

waffffffle · May 1, 2002, 10:35 PM

I have a Toshiba 30 GB in my Pismo that I bought in September. I find that the thing is kinda slow and way too loud. Most people agree that IBM drives are quieter. I only got the Toshiba one because I had this Toshiba freecard which gave me $225 off any Toshiba product but I could only buy the product from certain vendors. CDW was one of them that offered the drive for $250. OWC had it for $210 at the time but I couldn't use the freecard there. If I didn't have the freecard I probably would have bought an IBM drive.

Carl Norum · May 1, 2002, 11:09 PM

Originally posted by Nick Rozwadowski:
Feel free to take a break once in a while and thanks again for the advice.

Bah! I don't have to start work until the 13th, thanks to WWDC. I have many holidays until then.

-- Carl "Why is it snowing in May?" Norum

Carl Norum · May 1, 2002, 11:11 PM

Originally posted by waffffffle:
Most people agree that IBM drives are quieter.

I don't know that it matters that much. If you can get a fluid-dynamic bearing drive it will be quieter than the non-fluid alternatives.

My brother's iBook has an IBM 20 GB drive and it is deafeningly loud (I can hear it from the next room) compared to both the Toshiba 10 GB and Toshiba 40 GB drives that have found homes in my computer.

x user · May 1, 2002, 11:32 PM

Originally posted by Carl Norum:


The problem is finding one for sale. I have yet to see the GAX series drives or the new 60 GB 9.5mm drive for sale anywhere. They are probably still being manufactured OEM-only. I would wait for them to be released to the general public and then check prices.

But he's looking for a 40gb, which (if I'm not mistakin) is readily availible as a 5400rpm.

Carl Norum · May 1, 2002, 11:53 PM

Originally posted by x user:
But he's looking for a 40gb, which (if I'm not mistakin) is readily availible as a 5400rpm.

I've yet to see one - can you fire me a link?

-- Carl

iamnid · May 7, 2002, 09:46 PM

lots of companies sell 5400 40gb drives... seagate, ibm, maxtor.. you name it, just check out any online store.

www.megahaus.com has some.

May 7, 2002, 11:50 PM

Hi,
I have a 60 Gig drive in my powerbook G4. I'm not positive, but I think that the drives from the G4 fit in the iBook. Anyway, I got it from this page: http://www.transintl.com/store/categ...m?Category=170
Under the FIRST pulldown menu, there's the 60 gig drive for $400. I don't know if this is too much money or what, but there it is.

Gabe

Carl Norum · May 8, 2002, 04:39 PM

There are two available (maybe) 60 GB hard drives. the IBM model will *not* fit into the iBook, though it will go into the powerbook. The PowerBook can take a drive 12.5mm high or smaller, but the iBook can take only 9.5mm drives.

-- Carl

Red Wolf · Jun 21, 2002, 10:54 AM

No one really answered the brand question in this thread and since I have the same question I thought I'd bring it back. For a 4200 rpm, 40GB drive for an iBook (dual-USB) which brand drive does everyone recommend: IBM or Toshiba? Thanks.

Carl Norum · Jun 21, 2002, 11:10 AM

<blockquote>quote:<hr />Originally posted by iamnid:
lots of companies sell 5400 40gb drives... seagate, ibm, maxtor.. you name it, just check out any online store.<hr /></blockquote>This is a blatant lie. The only companies that make small enough laptop hard drives for an iBook are Toshiba and IBM, and neither of those companies' offerings are yet available for consumer purchase at 5400 rpm speeds.

Carl Norum · Jun 21, 2002, 11:12 AM

<blockquote>quote:<hr />Originally posted by Red Wolf:
No one really answered the brand question in this thread and since I have the same question I thought I'd bring it back. For a 4200 rpm, 40GB drive for an iBook (dual-USB) which brand drive does everyone recommend: IBM or Toshiba? Thanks.<hr /></blockquote>I'm sure that everyone recommends something different. I would go with the Toshiba because I know they're reasonably quiet and work great. Toshiba 4018GAPs are in several iBooks up here now. My brother's laptop has an IBM 20 GB hard disk and it is *extremely* noisy.

If you can get a fluid-dynamic bearing drive, go for it. They will certainly be quieter (Toshiba GAS or GAX series).

vmarks · Jun 22, 2002, 07:15 AM

<blockquote>quote:<hr />Originally posted by Carl Norum:
<blockquote>quote:<hr />Originally posted by iamnid:
lots of companies sell 5400 40gb drives... seagate, ibm, maxtor.. you name it, just check out any online store.<hr /></blockquote>This is a blatant lie. The only companies that make small enough laptop hard drives for an iBook are Toshiba and IBM, and neither of those companies' offerings are yet available for consumer purchase at 5400 rpm speeds.<hr /></blockquote>I think I would have used the word mis-information instead of accusing the poster of out-and-out lying.

x user · Jun 22, 2002, 08:49 PM

I think perhaps he was refering to 3.5" drives <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="wink.gif" /> . Anyway, I'm not really into the market because I don't have the money for one. But I was under the impression that both IBM and Toshiba made 2.5 5400's. Maybe those a 12.5mm though. Right now my dad has a 40gb 4200 for sale. I think it's IBM. If anyone is interested let me know.

rozwado1 · Jun 23, 2002, 06:23 PM

I found the Toshiba GAX series, with worldwide shipping from Japan.

<a href="http://shop.conics.net/laptop-hdd/" target="_blank">http://shop.conics.net/laptop-hdd/</a>

Nick