on 26/01/05 20:46, Scott at [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: > Good day all, > > I am glad this list is discussing hard drives, because I have just > started looking into getting a new one for my Pismo PB. > I am wondering if I ought to replace the internal drive or just keep it > as is and get an external drive. > The current drive is the stock IBM 18GB that came with the Pismo four > years ago, and I don't know any other specs about it (rpm speed or RAM > buffer size). > I am comparing the drive speed rpms (4200 v. 5400 v. 7200) and the RAM > buffer size, which are as small as 1MB or as big as 16MB. > > I think for an external drive, faster is better, yet how does the size > of the RAM buffer figure into the equation? For an external drive is a > larger RAM buffer actually better or overkill and wasteful? Is there a > realistic buffer size where effective usefulness "tops out" and any > more is just waste? > > For an internal drive slower uses less power, yet with a large buffer > there is less drive access. So, is there a peak performance > combination? Does a faster drive access less? And therefor is more > effective? > How much more effective is a 2MB buffer v. 1MB, and a 4MB buffer v. > 2MB, etc, on up to 16MB v. 8MB? Is all that RAM actually used and > effective? > > I am looking for the fastest *and* most efficient combination. > > I appreciate any facts, opinions, tho'ts, or experiences you'd like to > share. > Thank you all and have a great day! > Scott > > "Many things which cannot be overcome when they are together, yield > themselves up when taken little by little." --- Plutarch >
I'll just say this: having to carry around an external drive is annoying after a little while, specially if you move around a bit. Plus the added cost of getting an enclosure. Plus the ridiculous cost if you buy a drive already in an enclosure. I'd say go for an internal drive. You might thank yourself you did it... -Laurent. -- ============================================================================ Laurent Daudelin AIM/iChat: LaurentDaudelin <http://nemesys.dyndns.org> Logiciels Nemesys Software mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] card walloper n.: An EDP programmer who grinds out batch programs that do stupid things like print people's paychecks. Compare code grinder. See also punched card, eighty-column mind. -- G-Books is sponsored by <http://lowendmac.com/> and... Small Dog Electronics http://www.smalldog.com | Refurbished Drives | -- Check our web site for refurbished PowerBooks | & CDRWs on Sale! | Support Low End Mac <http://lowendmac.com/lists/support.html> G-Books list info: <http://lowendmac.com/lists/g-books.html> --> AOL users, remove "mailto:"; Send list messages to: <mailto:[email protected]> To unsubscribe, email: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> For digest mode, email: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subscription questions: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Archive: <http://www.mail-archive.com/g-books%40mail.maclaunch.com/> --------------------------------------------------------------- iPod Accessories for Less at 1-800-iPOD.COM Fast Delivery, Low Price, Good Deal www.1800ipod.com ---------------------------------------------------------------
