External HD suggestions for FCP and MBP

[maclamb]

I work alot in FCP and will soon be traveling for work and plan to buy a MBP C2D 17". My questions:

1. Is it worth it to upgrade to the 7200RPM internal drive (this will mean buying a BTO new machine - very $$$ I can settle for refurb/5400 RPM) Will FCP work OK (render, play) with the 5400 internal drive OK? Will I notice a HUGE diff in FCP performance (rendering, RT playthrough)

2. For external storage - I am thinking of a FW 800/USB/eSata 2.5 enclosure and 5400/7200 drive.

Will I need the 7200 drives for FCP (to do work on the road) or will the 5400 drives do ok? $ is the main issue here. With 5400 drives I can save ALOT of $

What am I basically asking is:
Do I *need* the 7300 rpm or will 5400 be "usable" - i know this is highly subjective ;-)
Will the FW 800 be fast enough or do I need eSata? I figure to use FW 800 in places I can't plug in and esata in the hotel.

 

[vicious7]

You don't really need a 7200RPM internal drive since you will most likely be using an external drive as a scratch disk and to save finished product. The external drives should be 7200RPM which will make life much easier for you.

I would also max out the RAM.

 

[maclamb]

You don't really need a 7200RPM internal drive since you will most likely be using an external drive as a scratch disk and to save finished product. The external drives should be 7200RPM which will make life much easier for you.

I would also max out the RAM.

that's what I thought - I can go with a refurb/5400 rpm and max ram and external 7200 rpm drive.
Is esata needed or can I get buy with FW800? the ac adapter is a pain.

 

[squeeks]

there is no esata port on the mbps, good luck finding and enclosure with fw800, you are most likely going to have to go with something with a power-supply i recommend a WD mybook Pro 500gb i have two they are great

 

[maclamb]

there is no esata port on the mbps, good luck finding and enclosure with fw800, you are most likely going to have to go with something with a power-supply i recommend a WD mybook Pro 500gb i have two they are great

Thank you, I know that - I was going to use this: for the eSata PCMCIA card:
http://eshop.macsales.com/item/Apiotek/EC0003D/

and this for the esata/fw800 enclosure
http://cgi.ebay.com/2-5-USB-SATA-Fi...Enclosure_W0QQitemZ140135744816QQcmdZViewItem

I use a mybook at work - but it is too big for travel and use on an airplane

thanks