External HD for Mac mini

Hi there.
I'm looking for an external HD for my mini, 250GB will be ok.
I saw the LaCie, Iomega and the Ministack and was wondering if some of you have experience with any of these or know better ones. Another question is are the LaCie and Iomega 3.5" [that makes them faster doesn't it?].
Any recommandation welcome thanx in advance, Rob.

I suppose you're asking about the LaCie Mini and Iomega (is it MiniMax) drives ?
As far as I know, all these drives carry 7200 rpm, 3.5" drives, which makes them faster than the Mini's internal (4200 or - maybe - 5400 rpm, 2.5").
Personally, I chose to get a standard external HD (LaCie d2, 250 GB, 7200 rpm, 3.5", 8 MB cache - I think the new models come with "at least 8 MB of cache", which means some models come with a 16 MB cache that makes them even faster) because, even though the Mini-clone hard drives are faster than the Mini's internal (typical spec. 34-35 MB per second - maximum sustained data transfer rate), the standard ones are even faster (mine is supposed to reach 40 MB per second). When booting off that drive, the difference in speed, when compared to the internal, is substantial. I have never tried a LaCie Mini or similar drive, so I can't tell you if my drive is really faster or if I "wasted" my money. However, I'm really happy with it.
Apart from the Iomega and the LaCie, which come from reputable brands and should serve you well, there are other similar drives, such as MacWay's Mini Partner or Micronet's (not to be confused with Micromat > TechTool) Mini Mate, which have pretty much the same functionality, but also act as FireWire/USB 2 hubs. Don't know where you can get them, but if you are in the US it shouldn't be too complicated.
Hope this helps.

Similar Messages

Compatible external displays for Mac Mini

I just purchased the Mac Mini (Mid 2010 Build) and would like to use an external display aside from the displays sold at the Apple Store.
What are the compatible displays (monitors) for the Mac Mini (Mid 2010 Build)?
With these compatible displays, what connection wires are necessary?

Pretty much any display with HDMI input should be supported. The mini should have come with an HDMI to DVI adapter, so you can also use it with most DVI equipped displays. You can buy an adapter from mini Displayport to VGA, which would allow you to support most VGA displays, but is more likely to have compatibility issues, especially if you use older, 4:3 aspect ratio displays.

In disk utility, how do i format new external ssd for mac mini?

In disk utility, how do I format a new external SSD for late 2009 Mac Mini?

Format it as: Mac OS Extended (Journaled)

External drive for Mac Mini !

Does the new Mac mini work with any other third party external Drives? Or must it by all means be a MacBook Air external drive?

any of these should work
http://eshop.macsales.com/shop/firewire/optical-drives/
but I did get the MacBook Air external optical drive form Apple.

External Superdrive for Mac mini?

Recently I got a disc stuck in the drive of my mini and for the life of me I can't get it out so...I was wondering if they make an external Superdrive that will work with the mini. I had a look at the website and found one that says its for the macbook air, would that one work?Thanks in advance.

Speaking for myself, I typically offer links to that vendor because they have Mac, and system specific, solutions which helps with a level of confidence that the problem is more likely than not to be solved. My personal experience with them as a vendor has born that out.
That said, there are other competent vendors out there too who also offer good service and stand by their products, so it's up to you who you use. The only thing that encourages me to OWC is that if you buy something they are offering as a viable upgrade or add-on to your mini and it proves otherwise, they'll resolve the problem.

External speakers for Mac Mini

I am new to this.
What adapter do I need to use some Imac Flat Panel G4 speakers with my mini? They are Pro Speakers.
Another topic- is there a download to make my HP 880c printer operable with this mini?
thanks

I did a search for you and HP is not developing a driver for your printer and Snow Leopard:
http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/document?docname=c01856359&lc=en&dlc=en&cc=us &product=61607&lang=en
I don't know about the speakers. What kind of connector do they use? Maybe an iMic from Griffin will work:
http://www.griffintechnology.com/products/imic/
Claire

Advice on External HDD for Mac & Windows

Hello
I am looking for advice regarding using a external HHD for Mac & Windows.
I searched the forum, but failed to find a updated thread on this subject matter.
I will be using the drive on both platforms regularly.
Should i use HFS+ with a small FAT32 partition to keep MacDrive on?
What is a good way to approach this?
Im not sure what would be optimal for both platforms.
Thanks in advance for your input.

Why just one?
Shopping list I can think of:
Vista: NTFS for backups and storage. Can be read by, but not written, Mac OS.
MacDrive 7: can access HFS+ from within Windows (but not x64 versions)
WinClone 1.5: to make backups of Windows from within Mac OS (requires disk image or partition to hold volume image)
SuperDuper: essential for OS X backups and bootable clone.
A drive that is used for emergency only and maybe backup partition, separate from your OS X and windows clone drive.
You can create large partitions with Disk Utility to be FAT32. Read and write in both, but not the best file system and limited to files less than 4GB.
FW800 would be fast and efficient interface. Also, eSATA if possible.

Formatted External drive for Mac OS extended

Hi,
I actually change from windows to Mac (no comparison...!!) but trying to transfer my photos (Pictures in finder) to an external hard disk i can`t drag and drop and i do not know why....i read in one forume that i have to formatted the external drive for Mac OS extended. First question: how could i do that? if my hard disk was originally formatted for windows, do i lose the info when i formatted?
Thanks!!

You will lose the files on the HD when you reformat it. So copy what you want off the drive to a folder on your Mac temporarily.
select the HD on the Desktop and launch Disk Utility.
select the HD in the left hand page of DU.
click on the Partiton button
select 1 Partition
select OS X Extended (journaled) in the drop down Format menu.
click on the Apply button
drag the folder of files onto the EHD to copy back and then delete from your Mac's drive after verifying that they all copied back successfully.
OT

I have an external hardrive for MAC, I needed to save something from my work computer so I can pass it on to my MAC, it requiered me to re-format my external HD and now when I connected to my MAC I only have "read only rights". How do I fix it?

I have an external hardrive for MAC, I needed to save something from my work computer so I can pass it on to my MAC, it requiered me to re-format my external HD and now when I connected to my MAC I only have "read only rights". How do I fix it? I run my Itnues from this external and now my library is gone. Luckily I have it saved somewhere else, which is not a problem, but I won't be able to write to this HD for right now. I can't see an option to give those permission back.

cptjuanjvarona wrote:
I have an external hardrive for MAC, I needed to save something from my work computer so I can pass it on to my MAC, it requiered me to re-format my external HD and now when I connected to my MAC I only have "read only rights". How do I fix it?...
Unless what you have to transfer is enormous, skip the external HD altogether and use a USB flash drive; you can get them with capacities to 128GB. Format the flash drive as FAT32 or ExFAT as LowLuster suggests so it can be read and written to on both PC's and your Mac.

How do I adjust display resolution for Mac Mini?

How do I adjust display resolution for Mac Mini? Text does not look crisp. Using Samsung 27 inch monitor with HDMI input

Apple menu -> System Preferences -> Displays. Depending on your version of Mac OS X, it may be set for "Best for Display" in which case it should already be set at the optimum for your monitor, or it may display resolution options in which case you should set it for the native resolution of your display.
Regards.

Should I necessarily use an external hard "for mac" to get a backup from my macbook?

I want to get a backup from my macbook pro using the time machine. Should I necessarily use an external hard "for mac" to get a backup from my macbook? Because I have an external hard, but its not for mac. Is there any way I can use this one?

You can use the external drive you want with your Mac. However, the "for Mac" external drives come prepared to connect them and start using them, and probably you will have to do some additional steps with your external drive.
First, you will have to format the external drive with "Mac OS Extended (Journaled)", the only filesystem compatible with OS X. If you have got files on the external drive, you have to copy them to your Mac before erasing the drive. Then, follow these steps to format the external drive with "Mac OS Extended (Journaled)" > http://pondini.org/TM/5.html
Then, to use Time Machine, open System Preferences > Time Machine > Select Disk, and choose your external drive, so your Mac will start making backups to your external drive

Best LED TV to be used as monitor for Mac Mini (Late 2012 model)

Hi All,
I am having a mac mini (late 2012 model). Now, I am planning to buy a HD LED Tv from my home. So I would like to know which one will be best suited to be used as a monitor for mac mini so that I can buy a TV which will be used as both TV and Monitor
--jR

You'll want something that's 1080p. Best to have one with HDMI input, too. Other than that, let price and warranty be your guide.

Suggest me a usb sound card for mac mini

please suggest me a usb sound card for mac mini (i need 5.1 sound)

The Griffin Technology FireWave will give you the 3 'cables' ("FireWave outputs six channel audio through three 1/8” (3.5mm) stereo mini-jacks: Left/Right, Center/Subwoofer and Right Surround/Left Surround.") connection for surround sound (speakers) audio. Whether or not a particular headphone set is compatible, you might ask Griffin directly about that. If you're playing a DVD with VLC or the Apple DVD Player, you will get surround sound. But, you'd have to find an MP3 with multi-channel audio inside it to play surround sound out of iTunes.
-Doug

Use 24 in iMac as a screen for mac mini

Can I use 24 in iMac as screen for mac mini?

I can see that there is no way to use the iMac screen thru standard methods. As the iMac is out of warranty and the DVD/CD drive no longer works I am willing to have the iMac's case opened and have some jerry-rigged solution installed. Does anyone have an idea as to how that can be done

What is best antivirus software for Mac Mini? Recently the Trovi virus was on my computer and I want to make sure it is completely gone.

What is the best antivirus software for Mac Mini? I had thought Mac's were safer from viruses but recently I think the Trovi virus infected my computer, I have taken steps to remove but want to make sure computer is clean.

To learn how to defend yourself from the threat of adware read How to install adware.
There will always be threats to your information security associated with using any Internet - connected communications tool:
You can mitigate those threats by following commonsense practices
Delegating that responsibility to software is an ineffective defense
Assuming that any product will protect you from those threats is a hazardous attitude that is likely to result in neglecting point #1 above.
OS X already includes everything it needs to protect itself from viruses and malware. Keep it that way with software updates from Apple.
A much better question is "how should I protect my Mac":
Never install any product that claims to "clean up", "speed up", "optimize", "boost" or "accelerate" your Mac; to "wash" it, "tune" it, or to make it "shiny". Those claims are absurd.Such products are very aggressively marketed. They are all scams.
Never install pirated or "cracked" software, software obtained from dubious websites, or other questionable sources.
Illegally obtained software is almost certain to contain malware.
"Questionable sources" include but are not limited to spontaneously appearing web pages or popups, download hosting sites such as C net dot com, Softonic dot com, Soft pedia dot com, Download dot com, Mac Update dot com, or any other site whose revenue is primarily derived from junk product advertisements.
If you need to install software that isn't available from the Mac App Store, obtain it only from legitimate sources authorized by the software's developer.
Don’t supply your password in response to a popup window requesting it, unless you know what it is and the reason your credentials are required.
Don’t open email attachments from email addresses that you do not recognize, or click links contained in an email:
Most of these are scams that direct you to fraudulent sites that attempt to convince you to disclose personal information.
Such "phishing" attempts are the 21st century equivalent of a social exploit that has existed since the dawn of civilization. Don’t fall for it.
Apple will never ask you to reveal personal information in an email. If you receive an unexpected email from Apple saying your account will be closed unless you take immediate action, just ignore it. If your iCloud, iTunes, or App Store account becomes disabled for valid reasons, you will know when you try to buy something or log in to this support site, and are unable to.
Don’t install browser extensions unless you understand their purpose. Go to the Safari menu > Preferences > Extensions. If you see any extensions that you do not recognize or understand, simply click the Uninstall button and they will be gone.
Don’t install Java unless you are certain that you need it:
Java, a non-Apple product, is a potential vector for malware. If you are required to use Java, be mindful of that possibility.
Java can be disabled in System Preferences.
Despite its name JavaScript is unrelated to Java. No malware can infect your Mac through JavaScript. It’s OK to leave it enabled.
Beware spontaneous popups: Safari menu > Preferences > Security > check "Block popup windows".
Popup windows are useful and required for some websites, but unsolicited popups are commonly used to deceive people into installing unwanted software they would never intentionally install.
Popups themselves cannot infect your Mac, but many contain resource-hungry code that will slow down Internet browsing.
If you ever receive a popup window indicating that your Mac is infected with some ick or that you won some prize, it is 100% fraudulent. Ignore it.
The same goes for a spontaneously appearing dialog insisting that you upgrade your video player right this instant. Such popups are frequently associated with sites that promise to deliver movies or other copyrighted content "for free".
The more insistent it is that you upgrade or install something, the more likely it is to be a scam. Close the window or tab and forget it.
Ignore hyperventilating popular media outlets that thrive by promoting fear and discord with entertainment products arrogantly presented as "news". Learn what real threats actually exist and how to arm yourself against them:
The most serious threat to your data security is phishing. Most of these attempts are pathetic and are easily recognized, but that hasn't stopped prominent public figures from recently succumbing to this age-old scam.
OS X viruses do not exist, but intentionally malicious or poorly written code, created by either nefarious or inept individuals, is nothing new.
Never install something without first knowing what it is, what it does, how it works, and how to get rid of it when you don’t want it any more.
If you elect to use "anti-virus" software, familiarize yourself with its limitations and potential to cause adverse effects, and apply the principle immediately preceding this one.
Most such utilities will only slow down and destabilize your Mac while they look for viruses that do not exist, conveying no benefit whatsoever - other than to make you "feel good" about security, when you should actually be exercising sound judgment, derived from accurate knowledge, based on verifiable facts.
Do install updates from Apple as they become available. No one knows more about Macs and how to protect them than the company that builds them.
Summary: Use common sense and caution when you use your Mac, just like you would in any social context. There is no product, utility, or magic talisman that can protect you from all the evils of mankind.

External HD for Mac mini

Similar Messages

Maybe you are looking for