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" UPDATED REVIEW: "
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17.OCT.2011
I recently purchased and received another Iomega eGo drive via Amazon. This time I selected the 2TB model - 34796. The drive looks and feels physically identical to the 1TB drive I purchased last year, which by the way, is still toiling along quite strong. So on the strength of my first experience with Iomega in the HD arena, I bought this one...
First task: I plugged in, and the drive immediately displayed on my desktop using Snow Leopard OS. I bought the drive to help begin my transition to Lion. I transferred all the contents of a LaCie Poulton 1TB drive, via 400-800 firewire. It took 11 hours and 3 minutes for 999.36GB, 64MB shy of 1TB. I then transferred over 200GB from the Iomega 1TB eGo using 800-800 firewire in (Oops I forgot but it seemed quick enough) somewhere around 2 hours I think...
Everything I have done so far with these drives just seemed effortless, (I will leave it to others to do a drop test).
Surprising Observation: I mentioned in my first review about power adapter being the same conventional black, and how it would have been neat to see a grey one, then was shocked to see that this 2TB HD came with a white one. Hmmm Interesting... Still think the power cable should be on the bottom, below the FW800 ports (if standing vertical) and not next the power button.
I also mentioned before, the blue sliver of light located at the back of the drive. Well, I have stacked the drives one atop of the other, and indeed the light is obstructed from view. I still think this is design flaw...
Conclusion: If you want to take advantage of the price drops in firewire hard drives before the thunderbolt wave, this drive is a definite winner in my book. BTW I still have not used the USB. However, I did consider the Seagate drives too. my thoughts on their product is as follows. I like their design idea that allows you to change the connection technologies via adapters, USB to Firewire, to eSata, etc. etc, which leads me to believe that you should be able to use existing drives with the new USB 3.0 technology or even thunderbolt. This seems like a great benefit to consumers, except for the fact the adapters seem over priced for a drive you already own, and that the connector design seems iffy to me. I have a Free Agent 750 drive, and not really encouraged by the adapter technology on it...
Note: I wish other reviewer would disclose what computer and OS they are using, cause that could have an affect on ones experience, having as much to do with their setup than the drive itself...
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" PREVIOUS REVIEW: "
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07.OCT.2010
First, I'd like to start by saying I usually buy LaCie drives, and would have this time, if the one I was going to get, did not say it would ship in 1-4 months. So I looked again and found this Iomega drive.
Initial impression: It looks really nice and matches my MacBook Pro (4,1) with Snow Leopard aesthetically, also worked seamlessly out of the box. I have both the LaCe Porsche drives, and the Poulton drives too, in various storage capacities. Comparison physically, this drive is thinner in height, shallower in depth, and slightly wider. The connection cables are white, which I find a refreshing change. If they really wanted to be different they could have gone w/ grey for the power supply and cord over the standard black.
Function wise: I never use USB, but it's nice that its there incase. Used the FW400 to transfer 187 GB folder in 159 minutes. Then used FW800, transferred 53 GB folder in 36 min. So far everything looks and works great. It has a 3 year warranty and thats a plus, hope I don't have to use it. Oh, and its quiet. I hear the computer over this thing.
Only knock I have about the product is minor in my opinion and for others might be a plus. The light indicator, is a tiny vertical blue sliver, which is cool and all, but its located near the back end of the drive in the middle, as you can see in the images of the product. It flashes when in use which is great, but if I decide to buy another one and stack them, how will I know its On at a glance or flashing when its toiling, if I can't see it. A minor design flaw if you ask me, it should be at the front.
Also, when positioned vertically on the stand, the power cord is near the top at the rear. I thought that it was usually positioned near the bottom on devices to reduce tension on the cord. This too, is a design flaw in my opinion as well, but not worth deducting a star for.
Got it here online for a good price, and the shipping was timely. Since I just received it, I can't address longevity or reliability. Maybe a year or two from now I will update this review, or if or when an issue arises, I will be sure to let all of you know.
Ultimately I am satisfied so far (usually very picky) and fortunate I feel to have discovered this item.
Ciao...