Notebook upgrade question

rich73 · 03-14-2008, 11:42 PM

I have a Powerbook G4, and I'm in need of upgrading its hard drive (stock: 80gb IDE, 5400RPM). I'm torn between two options: 100gb or so 7200RPM drive and higher battery drain, or 250gb 5400RPM drive and more space. Price is relatively negligible.

I'm more concerned with performance, as this is an older Mac notebook that I'm trying to squeeze life out of before letting it die. Which do y'all think would be the better bet? I know the data density of the 250 might actually allow it to perform nearly as well as the 100.

Suggestions?

Everything else is already maxed out on the machine.

BeSiege82 · 03-15-2008, 12:08 AM

personally, I would go with the faster hard drive.

rich73 · 03-16-2008, 01:50 AM

That's the kicker though, I've heard that the drives are about the same speed due to that data density or something or other on the WD 250 vs the 100gb 7200rpm drive. I dunno.

I was hoping someone here might've used them and could tell.

**Bamboo** · 03-16-2008, 01:43 PM

You could just go for a good external drive, letting you keep the internal one you have now super clean and empty, which might help with speed some.

=Sarc= · 03-16-2008, 02:32 PM

If you're concerned with performance, go with the 7200RPM drive. Although, an external drive is a pretty good option too. It won't be a lot faster but you can at least reuse the external drive when you move to a new laptop.

**=DdogG=** · 03-17-2008, 09:52 AM

a WD hard drive uses less than .6 amps even in the 7200rpm model.

I am guessing the price is where you need to be, so here is my suggestion:

get the faster drive and put the old drive in an external enclosure for the extra space.

03-14-2008, 11:42 PM	#1 (permalink)
rich73 Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 142	Notebook upgrade question I have a Powerbook G4, and I'm in need of upgrading its hard drive (stock: 80gb IDE, 5400RPM). I'm torn between two options: 100gb or so 7200RPM drive and higher battery drain, or 250gb 5400RPM drive and more space. Price is relatively negligible. I'm more concerned with performance, as this is an older Mac notebook that I'm trying to squeeze life out of before letting it die. Which do y'all think would be the better bet? I know the data density of the 250 might actually allow it to perform nearly as well as the 100. Suggestions? Everything else is already maxed out on the machine.

03-15-2008, 12:08 AM	#2 (permalink)
BeSiege82 Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: PA Posts: 1,285	Re: Notebook upgrade question personally, I would go with the faster hard drive. __________________ lTG-Irrl BeSiege82 A platoon leader in his own right... "Courage grows strong at the wound." "Virescit Vulnere Virtus." "{My grump-o-meter starts to make a high-pitched whine when I point it at your post, though.}" -- Axis Platoon Leader of Irregular's platoon Alpha

03-16-2008, 01:50 AM	#3 (permalink)
rich73 Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 142	Re: Notebook upgrade question That's the kicker though, I've heard that the drives are about the same speed due to that data density or something or other on the WD 250 vs the 100gb 7200rpm drive. I dunno. I was hoping someone here might've used them and could tell.

03-16-2008, 01:43 PM	#4 (permalink)
Bamboo Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: On the beach north of Jacksonville, NC Posts: 2,700	Re: Notebook upgrade question You could just go for a good external drive, letting you keep the internal one you have now super clean and empty, which might help with speed some. __________________ LINKS 10th Tactical Guard Server Rules and SOP * Kicked? Banned? READ THIS FIRST!* Contact an Admin * Nominate your teammates for a ribbon Stoop and you'll be stepped on; stand tall and you'll be shot at. -Carlos A. Urbizo-

03-16-2008, 02:32 PM	#5 (permalink)
=Sarc= Join Date: May 2003 Location: Ottawa, Canada Posts: 4,460	Re: Notebook upgrade question If you're concerned with performance, go with the 7200RPM drive. Although, an external drive is a pretty good option too. It won't be a lot faster but you can at least reuse the external drive when you move to a new laptop. __________________ JO Guides & Tutorials Team Element - It's who you game with.

03-17-2008, 09:52 AM	#6 (permalink)
=DdogG= Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Ennis, TX Age: 31 Posts: 1,616	Re: Notebook upgrade question a WD hard drive uses less than .6 amps even in the 7200rpm model. I am guessing the price is where you need to be, so here is my suggestion: get the faster drive and put the old drive in an external enclosure for the extra space. __________________ Only two things are infinite, the universe and human stupidity, and I'm not sure about the former. -Albert Einstein The two most common elements in the universe are Hydrogen and stupidity. -Harlan Ellison If all else fails: "rm -rf /"

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