MBP: External HD

I'm looking for at least 500 GB external hard drive to connect to my MacBook Pro for purposes of backup and retention of files like old pictures, music, documents, and to keep my MBP clean.

I found this particular one on Dell:

Western Digital My World Book

Not only does it store information, but I love the fact that you can connect it to a network connection and access the information from anywhere. Unfortunately, its not listed as being compatible with a Mac. Can it be connected with a Mac? Are there any other external drives like this - that can be connected to a network and accessed remotely?

 

It's a USB 2.0 hard drive so it should certainly be compatible with your Mac. Personally I would see if there's a hard drive you like that also has Firewire, perhaps even a FW800 port, since you have one on your MBP (if you have a C2D model).

 

Well, since I'll be connecting it to my router, I'll most certaintly use it wirelessly most of the time. If I'm going to be transferring large amounts of data, at one time, I'll be connecting it through a wire.

I'll be ordering it through Dell since the price is damn good. It's such a pain to return things through the mail....

 

Actually, looking at Western Digital's site:

http://www.wdc.com/en/products/products.asp?driveid=279&language=en

I guess the question is whether the remote access features work in anything besides Windows.

From reading the install guide, it looks like this "WD Anywhere Access" program that you have to install to access it remotely is Windows-only. I think this means you'd need to use Boot Camp or Parallels to run it.

 

Yeah, I'm not sure. It looks like the remote access stuff requires this WD Anywhere Access client for Windows.

I did find this post which might help though:

 

That's really unfortunate. I really LOVED the idea of being able to access my files remotely. This is the one small thing about Macs that I really despise.

 

It's not like this is the only way to do it. As mentioned above, there's plenty of other ways to remotely access your files - setting up a VPN is the most common and standard way.

The person above set up their hard drive using it as a NAS.

In this case, Western Digital is using a third party solution that is Windows-only.

I think a standard-based way is a much better way to go anyway; the only way to use this is to install the WD Access Anywhere client on any computer you want to access your files from remotely, which is not always even an option.

If you do install Windows using Boot Camp or Parallels, you could run the WD Access Anywhere application on your Mac; in the case of Parallels, you could run it easily while using the Mac.

-Zadillo

 

A NAS? (performing search as we speak)

Ok, doing a quick educational lesson. Is this right?

I can set up the HD as a NAS (network attached storage) by connecting it to my router. Then I can set up a VPN, via my MBP, to be able access my files outside of the router's radius?

 

If you don't install any Operating Systems on it and make sure you format it as fat32(ask me if u need help on that), I dont see why it wont work. Oh yeah, and if you have hidden files shown on your PC, i recommend googling ".ds_store remove". Have fun

 

Yeah, you could also find another company that makes a NAS drive that has software for the mac.
But honestly, if you're using it as a NAS, then don't worry about using firewire or usb2 if you're going to transfer large amounts of data. Just connect your laptop via ethernet cable to your router. This method is faster than any other (especially if your nas drive and router support gigabit transfers).

 

I would give the My Book Pro a shot...it seems designed for Macs. It supports FW800, and comes in white.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136047

Or, you could get the My Book Premium ES (eSATA) and an eSATA Expresscard module.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136082
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16839229001

Edit - By the way, eSATA will the fastest of all your choices. Theoretically speaking, the maximum throughputs are as follows:

USB 2.0: 480mbps
Firewire 400: 400mbps
Firewire 800: 800mbps
Gigabit Ethernet: 1000mbps
eSATA: 1500-3000mbps

 

Can I attach the External HD to my router and access the HD wirelessly? I know the particular one I highlighted allows you to access remotely using XP, but can I still use it wirelessly?

WD My World Book

If I go with an alternative External HD, I'd have to also replace the router because my current router does not support USB or firewire connection.

 

Unfortunely the Macbook lacks an expresscard... I've tried an USB2.0, but it doesn't seem fit to what I want (games) - it can't sustain the throughput. I wonder, is a FW400 good enough (lower throughput but better sustained rate) or should I try an gigabit ethernet? they're more expensive.

 

Well the thread title says "MBP", so I assumed the threadstarter had one. If you don't, FW400 is definitely better than USB 2.0, because, like you said, it has a better sustained rate. In the end, FW400 ends up being faster than USB 2.0 for appreciably large files.

However, gigabit ethernet is the fastest of your options. Beyond that, you can plug it right into your router and set it up as NAS for your whole house.

 

If you're still looking for NAS options...

http://www.silverstonetek.com/products/ns311/ns311.html This allows you to select any drive you like. Plus silverstone makes sexy products...

http://www.phoronix.com/scan.php?page=article&item=630&num=1 here's a review of it. it has a built-in web management tool. compatible with Win/Mac/Linux through either SMB (windows-type filesharing) or as an FTP server.

 

if you get a router with a USB port, like the Apple Airport Extreme, etc. get the Apple to make setup rediculously rediculously easy, and have wireless access to your HDD all over the place.

it is very cool to be able to watch the movies, etc. on my HDD anyware in the apt. without transfering them to my computer.