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    Relative external drive durability

    Discussion in 'Apple and Mac OS X' started by SP Forsythe, Aug 2, 2010.

  1. SP Forsythe

    SP Forsythe Notebook Evangelist

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    I have a number of portable 2.5" drives that I have acquired and a Airport Extreme. I would like to mate one of the drives to be used as a time machine backup.

    I am wondering if this is a mis-use of a 2.5" drive, as to it's longevity in a continuous spinning state. Anyone have an opinion on the MTBF?

    Most 2.5" external portables use a passive cooling, whilst 3.5" drives often use a fan. I've always wondered if the fan was out of necessity due to greater heat production than passive cooling could handle, or is used for potential continuous duty cycle longevity. Is then passive cooling contraindicated for continuous use in any drive set, or just 3.5"?

    Botton lining it, would using a desktop 3.5" drive have a demonstrable difference in longevity, or would the difference be rather negligible?
     
    SP Forsythe, Aug 2, 2010
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