Disk space to be precise. So this evenings debate is storage related. I have a couple of 2TB Freecom FW800 devices (upgraded Freecom Datatank 800 – added 2x1TB drives to each box – great kit, but i’ve reached the limits of the chipset).
Current one is setup as Raid 1 (Mirror) and other is setup as 2 drives. The first disk is used as my primary drive for images (hence the reason for Raid) and is backed up to the 2nd drive. The 2nd drive is also used Time Machine and other storage.
Now disk 1 is down to 80gb spare, the backup volume slightly less. The other volumes aren’t important, but still utilised.
A temporary solution might be to setup the Raid disk as Raid 0 (data spanned across the 2 internal disk) – however this isn’t ideal as it’s not redundant (no idea why its classed as Raid then?) – I’ve probably have to set the backup disk to be the same, plus get another external drive for other data.
Now owning a Thunderbolt enabled Mac I’m tempted to get a Thunderbolt device. Sadly they are stupid prices (thanks Intel/Apple!), even worse prices if I want Raid with 4TB (mirrored will be 2TB). So chances are this is a none starter.
The one single drive device i’m tempted with is the LaCie d2 USB 3.0 3TB Thunderbolt – priced at a stupid £230-250 – still it’s Thunderbolt, plus it’s USB3 which might be handy for the Mac purchase.
A Western Digital 3TB USB2/3 drive however is around £120, plus the Lacie is a Lacie – so you can probably expect the drive to die.
Rant over – chances are i’ll end up with something completely different.