Level 1

2 points

Porsche Design External Hard Drive for Time Machine back-up

This is what I am looking to buy for my back up: http://www.amazon.com/LaCie-Porsche-Design-External-9000296/dp/B008SA69L8/ref=sr _1_10?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1393398362&sr=1-10&keywords=porsche+design.

But this is not available on online Apple Store. Only "desktop drives" are available. What is the difference between "desktop drive" and "external drive?"

Also, how do these Porsche Design hard drives rank in terms of reliability and longevity?

Do I need to install LaCie software to use this hard drive for back-up? Or is it possible to directly use Time Machine to use this hard drive for back-up?

Lastly, how does password protection work? Does the LaCie software have to be installed to take advantage of this?

iMac (21.5-inch, Late 2012), OS X Mountain Lion (10.8.5)

Posted on Feb 25, 2014 11:36 PM

87 replies

Csound1

Level 9

60,063 points

Feb 28, 2014 11:27 AM in response to mrq0604

mrq0604 wrote:

Can you please explain to me why they are the same instead of repeating "they are the same?" I'm most perplexed by the fact that one (desktop) comes with power adaptor while the other one (external) doesn't.

Do some more research then, 'some' external drives have power adaptors, others do not.

You have been wrong consistently, do or do you not want to backup your data, because if you just want to argue about the semantics of labeling you are doing fine without any help. nothing about is a waste of every

Arguing with you on subject you know little to nothing about is a waste of everyones time.

mrq0604 Author

Level 1

2 points

Feb 28, 2014 11:52 AM in response to PlotinusVeritas

I don't have to explain how awful that post is, especially this:

"So, yes, any person that writes a review that owns, a few, 10, 20 hard drives, has no basis upon which to make a well informed conclusion about "X" hard drive."

That logic doesn't work in the real world I live in. Each person's experience from different sources contributes to AND forms collective set of conclusions. No, that doesn't mean, for exmaple, Amazon reviews are everything. Just like that failure rate chart is sourced from one website. Yes, I read it. And that chart is sourced from one tech firm. However, you have to understand regular people, like me, use these drives differently.

And what do you make of Toshiba Canvio's 4.5 star ratings? Are they to be ignored as well?

Like you said, nothing is perfect. And we don't have every single owner's experience on a given product. However, these reviews are valuable information for consumers. The fewer the negative reviews, the more favorable the product is. Not just hard drive, but also cars, restaurants, coffee grinders, toachers, electric guitars, etc. We need these upset people to write reviews to determine which products are worthy of our hard-earned money.

seventy one

Level 7

27,460 points

Feb 28, 2014 12:03 PM in response to Csound1

Troll. Nothing more, nothing less. For heavens sake, he's just goading you all. PV is to be admired for his patience (and HD knowledge) but otherwise this post has achieved nothing. Lets put it to bed, once and for all.

Feb 28, 2014 12:11 PM in response to mrq0604

mrq0604 wrote:

1. However, these reviews are valuable information for consumers

2. Each person's experience from different sources contributes to AND forms collective set of conclusions

1. They are not valuable at all, they are in fact completely without value. However many do, wrongly, consider such reviews 'valuable'

They comprise only one thing: 'individual hearsay' , and subjective conjecture about a single unit. 😉

2. No, it contributes to collective conjecture, hyperbole, and uninformed consensus.

Truth by consensus doesn't occur and is not genuinely useful, rather truth by extensive empirical testing of 1000s of units is useful.

Apple uses Hitachi and Toshiba in its units for a reason, They are the best 2.5" HD than can be had.

All HD can and do fail (eventually), this is what redundancy for.

Any professional in the arena of data protection will inform you that the single best HD made, used as a backup, is an utterly horrible idea.

Why? Because only redundancy is most important, meaning multiple copies of your data.

There is no divergence or disagreement from this advice by any professional on this topic.

seventy one

It may help others in the topic, who are watching. Ultimately thats the only premise at this point, since all questions have been answered in full.

Civil discussions are always ok. 😍 Even if they may fall into a circular feedback loop, as this one has so clearly done.

mrq0604 Author

Level 1

2 points

Feb 28, 2014 12:11 PM in response to Csound1

"Arguing with you on subject you know little to nothing about is a waste of everyones time." Wow. That just shows us what kind of person you are.

First, I'm not arguing with anyone. I'm just asking for answers to question I asked, hence doing the research. Before I back up my data on my new drive, I have to know what I am purchasing. You have to understand my position. I know nothing about computers. From my point of view, different labelling means a whole different world of challenges. Second, yes I know nothing. And that's why I'm here.

Do these drives work the same as USB drive? If it comes with power adaptor, then how do I eject it? Is the one with power adaptor better for power outages? Will that keep backing up during power outage? Which one should be better in the long run in terms of quality? Can I connect powered one to multiple computers at the same time? Do I have to install something to use powered external drive? etc.

Feb 28, 2014 12:22 PM in response to mrq0604

mrq0604 wrote:

Do these drives work the same as USB drive? If it comes with power adaptor, then how do I eject it? Is the one with power adaptor better for power outages? Will that keep backing up during power outage? Which one should be better in the long run in terms of quality? Can I connect powered one to multiple computers at the same time? Do I have to install something to use powered external drive? etc.

Thats a good question(s).

You right click on the drive on desktop and click "eject" to eject the HD.

These are powered adapters, they will not provide power if there is a power outage.

That's what power backup are for, which are huge boxes basically full of a couple car batteries for power outages.

Same HD connected to diff. Macs at the same time, no.

You can use the same HD on many computers as you want, .. just not at the same time.

You do not have to install anything with a powered external HD versus one without a power adapter.

mrq0604 wrote:

If anything, that poster is the hired troll by Toshiba to push their products.

You cannot post rude and defamatory things on this board. Re-read the TOU for this board please.

Such posts will be reported for abuse.

Regards 😊

clodo9

Level 2

194 points

Feb 28, 2014 12:46 PM in response to PlotinusVeritas

loud applause to you seventy one !!!!

very loud and long applause to you P.V. !!!!!

And down go the curtains....

P.S. I think my previous post ( to mrq ) was blocked by moderators ( justly so , i admit )

mrq0604 Author

Level 1

2 points

Feb 28, 2014 1:13 PM in response to PlotinusVeritas

And who was rude enough to call me troll first? I will report you too because you are trying to sell your company's products here.

Csound1

Level 9

60,063 points

Feb 28, 2014 1:22 PM in response to mrq0604

PV does not work for any of the companies mentioned, and you are just plain rude.

You appear to be a troll, if that is not what you are quit posting like one.

apw2

Level 1

5 points

Mar 2, 2014 2:34 AM in response to mrq0604

You said, mrq0604: 'And I know nothing about computers'

Yet, you are contesting the expert advice and facts on hard drives from Plotinus?

Well that makes sense in some parallel dimension where up is down I suppose.

Csound1

Level 9

60,063 points

Mar 2, 2014 2:36 AM in response to apw2

Ignore anything mrq says. It is not well founded.

clodo9

Level 2

194 points

Mar 2, 2014 5:22 AM in response to apw2

i'd compare mrq's posts to an gum you walk on, and you think " o sh...ucks", but you think you'll wait to be home to scrape it off. Then when you do, you find a diamond stuck in there... The diamond was P.V.'s posts.🙂

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Porsche Design External Hard Drive for Time Machine back-up