G-Tech G-RAID
To those in the know, G-Tech is really Hitachi in disguise and with the G-RAID it takes the G-Drive to the next level by cramming style, finish and impressive performance into the same box. Despite all this, it’s still not the fastest drive on the list, but certainly one of my favourites.
The G-RAID sports all of the same features as the G-Drive, but is a double-height unit accommodating two hard disks. The review model weighed in at 6TB and, given this unit’s immense capacity. I had hoped that I would be able to configure it to use RAID-1 for data protection, but it is disappointingly fixed as RAID-0. However, the G-RAID mini has a RAID-1 capability, as does the G-SAFE.
Even with the lack of RAID options, the G-RAID is still an excellent drive if you’re after performance and high capacity, bringing the speed improvements that the G-Drive really needed.
Reg Rating 85%
Price £220 (2TB), £350 (3TB), £520 (6TB)
More info G-Tech
Iomega eGo Mac
It seems that there are two worlds of design when it comes to FireWire hard drives – there are imitators of the Mac's unibody aluminium and there are also clones of the iDevice theme. Going with the latter, Iomega’s eGo Mac looks like an overfed iPhone 4 with its piano black centre and aluminium edge. It also includes a rubber bumper case to protect it from knocks.
While features are sparse, as this is a portable drive, it does include USB 2.0 as well as two FireWire 800 ports and is the fastest writing portable drive on test, with read speeds for the 500GB unit exceeding 70MB/s and writes at nearly 80MB/s. Even so, there's no escaping that you do pay a premium for this stylish portable package.
Reg Rating 75%
Price £155 (500GB), £192 (1TB)
More info Iomega
Next page: Iomega Mac Companion
COMMENTS
Alternatives
How about some reviews of disk caddies? 2.5s, 3.5s etc with such connections. I use an OWC with FW800, 400, USB and eSATA on it and it's not exactly difficult for a novice to load in a drive.
So, what conclusion ?
Where's the roundup table? where's the conclusion? This article is lacking in providing a clear view of the 10 contenders.
Realistically anyone thinking of the G-Raid would be better to go for something with a Thunderbolt connection (yes newer Macs only I know) but Firewire tops out at about 80Mb per second - the Lacie RAID (thunderbolt) drive I now use gets 320-330Mb per second.
If you want 'cheaper' storage (i.e. for backups etc.) and are happy with Firewire's limitation then the best value drive is probably the 'Western Digital My Book Studio II' as it costs barely any more than the drives it contains. So worst case you could use it now and may be able to buy a Thunderbolt enclosure in the future and re-home the drives.
No review of Lacie Rugged triple? (FW800, USB3.0/2.0)
http://www.lacie.com/uk/products/product.htm?id=10553
Iomega Mac companion is rubbish
Have you actually tested that thing ?
Hook it up through firewire and the high power port is just that : a high power charger. you lose ALL USB capability.
Hook it up using USB and you lose the high power charger port. it becomes a dumb usb hub. Firewire disables as well.
You cannot hook it up using both cables. It is or USb, or Firewire ... not BOTH. and you need to sacrifice the usb ports or the high power charger ...
on USB the drive als o has the annoyance that it keeps waking up the MAc from sleep mode.
THe LEd's in the front require installation of a special piece of software form iomega that is also buggy. ...
In other words : FAIL. And, yes , i do have one. Sandpaper exterior. Works fine as a drive .. but that's it. the additional stuff doesn't work right.
