Mac Mini + Drobo/Alternative?

[rockinrocker]

Got a response from OWC on the Qx2.....

The Qx2 is quieter due to being able to use a much larger fan that can spin more slowly.

Early next year we do have a new product line that will arrive offering an alternative to the QX2 which will allow independent drive mode. In the present – we could only go to 4 drives with RAID and non-RAID span in order to support eSATA. Next year will have full independent mode available on 4+ bay solutions that offer the quad interfaces including when connecting via eSATA.

These solutions will require matched drive for RAID modes... But we expect to officially support them for non-RAID modes when using non-matched drives as well.

I will be waiting until next year when this comes out.

That's great to hear, as that's exactly what I'm looking for. I wonder if it'll be the same price?

 

[zedsdead]

Since this thread is back up, I want add that the newer Drobo S is FAR better than the original Drobo. They updated the internal hardware in addition to the extra bay, and it is significantly faster. I can actually edit HD in FCP without issue off of it, whereas I could not do that off of the Drobo. The raid structure is faster due to the new hardware.

You can also set it up to protect data even if two drives fails. I am considering doing that.

Highly recommend one.

 

[philipma1957]

here are two new items from sans digital both are 4 bay both are not low cost but the descriptions have promise.



http://www.sansdigital.com/towerstor/ts25ct.html

http://dl.sansdigital.com/images/downloads//TS25CT/TS25CT_Detailed_Users_Manual.pdf

http://www.sansdigital.com/towerstor/ts5ct.html

http://dl.sansdigital.com/images/downloads//TS5CT/TS5CT_Detailed_Users_Manual.pdf

now I will get around to testing them or at least one of them. they are around 600 bucks. they both offer an esata kit included that does not need pm this means if you have an esata hacked 2009 mac mini like I do you should be able to use the esata option to give yourself big time speed once again making the 2010 mac mini garbage in comparison. Right now my pair ofdual esata hack mac minis can use two of these



http://www.sansdigital.com/towerstor/ts2ct.html


these allow up to a raid0 of 6tb with a pair of 3tb western digital hdds and fast speed. two would give you 12tb at about 180mb/s speed but raid0 not too safe.

if these new units work as promised you can have raid5 with 5 drives at 200mb/s a total of 5 3tb drives in each unit for 12 tb and it would be safe, this is why the new 2010 mini really needs an esata port because it is really slow and outdated when compared to a 2009 mac mini with an esata hack.


look at a 2009 mac mini with a simple dual esata hack in the last two photos. that was a

server model refurb at 749

$50 for an external dvd

99 each for 2tb external hdds 20 in wires


around 1000 for a 4tb mac mini


no heating problems because no inside hdds and more room. and you can see in an ht rack it presents a decent appearance .

 

[bearcatrp]

What parts were used for the esata hack and where to order them from? Would like to do this to my 2010 mini. Just need one cable to hook up to an external.

Just did a search and came up with this cable. Will this hook up to where the hard drive hooks up to? http://www.google.com/products/cata...log_result&ct=image&resnum=1&ved=0CCEQ8gIwAA#

Also found this video....
http://www.bitetheapple.tk/mac-mini-2010-esata-mod/

But hopefully apple will use USB 3 in the next mini. Would be faster than esata.