Plan to Improve FAT32?

[Confuzzeled23]

Hey Everyone,

Does anyone know if Apple plans on improving the way Mac OS X handles Fat32 USB drives? It is impossibly slow to transfer anything to these sticks. a file which is 1.5 GB takes 8 minutes on my Macbook Pro which would have taken a minute or less on my old Windows 7 computer. This is not an issue to ever make me bail on OS X. Just seems like a major oversight by Apple.

Before you tell me FAT32 is useless and to format it as Journaled. These drives are used for TV's, Xbox etc. which will only read files if the drive is formatted as FAT32.

Therefore, just wondering if anyone has an update regarding the slow transfer speeds as my search of the forms could only find old threads.

Thanks

 

[SlCKB0Y]

1. What Mac is this on?
2. How can you be sure that the USB drive is not the limiting factor?

As far as filesystems go, FAT32 is extremely well documented so I doubt that Apple's implementation is to blame.

 

[Freyqq]

ExFat is the replacement for Fat32. I recommend you use this instead.

 

[simon lefisch]

ExFat is the replacement for Fat32. I recommend you use this instead.

This....

 

[Confuzzeled23]

1. What Mac is this on?
2. How can you be sure that the USB drive is not the limiting factor?

As far as filesystems go, FAT32 is extremely well documented so I doubt that Apple's implementation is to blame.

I am using the MacBook Pro listed in my signature.

I blame Apple's implementation because as stated under windows it transfers 8x faster. However, I will try the above suggestions of ExFAT.

Thanks again.

 

[NT1440]

This....

Don't use ExFat if there is even a remote possibility of the drive being ejected improperly. Working at a university we've had many professors learn the hard way....

 

[SlCKB0Y]

ExFat is the replacement for Fat32. I recommend you use this instead.

OP stated this:

These drives are used for TV's, Xbox etc. which will only read files if the drive is formatted as FAT32.

Also, for the size of files the OP is using, there is very little difference in speed between fat32 and exfat:
http://www.flexense.com/fat32_exfat_ntfs_usb3_performance_comparison.html

If the OP is not using files that are too large for fat32, switching to exfat will do little more than reduce compatibility considerably.

 

[Confuzzeled23]

OP stated this:



Also, for the size of files the OP is using, there is very little difference in speed between fat32 and exfat:
http://www.flexense.com/fat32_exfat_ntfs_usb3_performance_comparison.html

If the OP is not using files that are too large for fat32, switching to exfat will do little more than reduce compatibility considerably.

These statements are true. I will continue to use FAT32 as I am able to wait a few extra minutes. Just started the thread to see if the difference between OS X and Windows transfer rates have been mentioned and looked upon in any Apple News.

 

[SlCKB0Y]

Just started the thread to see if the difference between OS X and Windows transfer rates have been mentioned and looked upon in any Apple News.

What year is your Mac? Are you using the same USB drive when comparing Windows vs Mac speed? Because the 8x speed difference you are seeing almost seems like you are comparing USB2 to USB3.

 

[Confuzzeled23]

What year is your Mac? Are you using the same USB drive when comparing Windows vs Mac speed? Because the 8x speed difference you are seeing almost seems like you are comparing USB2 to USB3.

I am using a USB 2 on both Windows and Mac. It is a Late-2013 Retina Macbook Pro. Windows has always had extremely better transfer speeds when it comes to FAT32.

 

[wrldwzrd89]

Remember also that USB 2 drives connected to a USB 3 port can make a difference as well, vs. a USB 2 drive in a USB 2 port, a USB 3 drive in a USB 3 port, or a USB 3 drive in a USB 2 port. Bottom line: Make sure you're comparing with other variables removed - the operating system should be the only difference in your comparison. Tip: USB 3 ports on most PCs are easily identified by their blue color. USB 2 ports are generally black, silver, or both. Apple's Macs do NOT follow this rule, but that's because Apple never mixes USB 2 and USB 3 ports on the same computer.