Hardware - USB2?

[Big Dave]

Save my googlefinger - Is USB2 backwards compatible?

Was just down the 'puter store and there is a external 1 terra drive that is USB2 - $350. I'm thinking for backing up photos and files.

My last of the Power PC mac tower is all ordinary USB as far as I can tell.

[jrandom]

You're the sort of person the phrase 'RTFM' was invented for.

http://www.google.co.nz/search?hl=en&q=usb+2+backwards+compatibility&btnG=Google+Search&meta=

First two links:

http://www.everythingusb.com/usb2/faq.htm

http://www.everythingusb.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=2561

[Big Dave]

Thanks but a simple yes or no from someone who knows will do.

[jrandom]

Thanks but a simple yes or no from someone who knows will do.

Some people just don't want to learn to fish, do they...

Yes, it's backwards compatible. But it'll be a lot slower transferring the data. If there's a USB 2.0 host expansion thingamajiggy that you can get for your Mac, get it.

[Big Dave]

Some people just don't want to learn to fish, do they...

Yes, it's backwards compatible.

Thank you again.

There are three types of data.

That you need to know.
That you need only to know where to find it.
That you don't need to know.

[Big Dave]

The reason I was there originally was the serial (yes serial) to USB port converter that has kept a 1990ish HP Laserjet on the network - has futzed.

Payed around $5,000 for that B&W printer and a scanner. Nixing it is tough - it still works fine.

I replaced it with a Canon colour everything injet photo unit for $49.95. Not that tough.

[Gremlin]

The only difference between the usb formats is basically the transfer speed.

And believe me, transferring data to a tb drive (depending on how much I guess) could be eye-watering slow

Then again, the 1.5tb drives have just come out :devil2:

[Usarka]

http://www.gleezorp.com/pun-images/serial-bus.jpg

[Big Dave]

The only difference between the usb formats is basically the transfer speed.

And believe me, transferring data to a tb drive (depending on how much I guess) could be eye-watering slow

Then again, the 1.5tb drives have just come out :devil2:

Yeah understand - a new powerbook is also on the agenda. this will be quicker than a box of DVDs

[scracha]

Save my googlefinger - Is USB2 backwards compatible?

Was just down the 'puter store and there is a external 1 terra drive that is USB2 - $350. I'm thinking for backing up photos and files.

My last of the Power PC mac tower is all ordinary USB as far as I can tell.

USB 1 is a waste of time for that sort of storage. Go USB 2, firewire or better still eSATA (MUCH quicker).
FYI
1TB drives are about $250 and 1.5TB $350. eSata (with USB) enclosures can be picked up for about 50 peso's.

[Big Dave]

USB 1 is a waste of time for that sort of storage. Go USB 2, firewire or better still eSATA (MUCH quicker).
FYI
1TB drives are about $250 and 1.5TB $350. eSata (with USB) enclosures can be picked up for about 50 peso's.

Yeah thanks - $280 at Duck Smuths.

I have a firewire as well - this is just backup and archive of stuff currently living on DVDs - for now. Working fine. Around a Gb a minute transfer.

I remember when 16mhz was a fast machine.

[paturoa]

Yeah thanks - $280 at Duck Smuths.


Try pricespy if you are after the best price.

http://www.pricespy.co.nz/pno_6372.html

[nadroj]

Just bought a 500gig 2.5" Imation portable hard drive from DSE for under $300. I'm impressed with xfer speed & no powerpack to cart around.

[xwhatsit]

Why didn't you just buy another serial-usb converter? $10 max. Hell I've got one you can have, as long as I can find the bastard.

Re: USB1/2 -- sure, no problem, but you'll rage and smash the thing on your desktop from the frustration of waiting around.

[Big Dave]

Why didn't you just buy another serial-usb converter? $10 max. Hell I've got one you can have, as long as I can find the bastard.

Re: USB1/2 -- sure, no problem, but you'll rage and smash the thing on your desktop from the frustration of waiting around.

Nah - it's fine. Job done - only using it for archive stuff and backup backup.
The scars from the crash of 98 are still raw. Moved 150gb onto it already. No stresses.

As for the printer, The photoprinter thing is worth a fiftya - maybe - It needs a USB to USB cable - not included - thanks canon. I have 10 usb cables - none male both ends.

[Big Dave]

Try pricespy if you are after the best price.

http://www.pricespy.co.nz/pno_6372.html

Hmmm price - I went out for light globes - near 4 hundy later I'm still using the lamp. But my data is relatively secure and my letterheads will be crisp.

[Gremlin]

Try pricespy if you are after the best price.

http://www.pricespy.co.nz/pno_6372.html
Just watch the service, usual caveat buying from the cheapest place.

They'll dodge warranties, refuse this or that etc... can be worth it going to somewhere a little more expensive, but more professional.

[Slyer]

Using an external hard drive with USB1 will be very very very slow.
It will work, but it will be painful.

They're developing USB3 at the moment, should be good.

[nadroj]

Just watch the service, usual caveat buying from the cheapest place.

They'll dodge warranties, refuse this or that etc... can be worth it going to somewhere a little more expensive, but more professional.

Are you speaking from experience? I've had nothing but professional service from Pricespy listers.

[Gremlin]

Are you speaking from experience? I've had nothing but professional service from Pricespy listers.
My experience, and mates.

[Cajun]

As for the printer, The photoprinter thing is worth a fiftya - maybe - It needs a USB to USB cable - not included - thanks canon. I have 10 usb cables - none male both ends.

One thing that starting to annoy me with alot of these things you can buy, printers etc, don't come with the usb cables, i mean buying in bulk might cost them about $0.50 if lucky to throw one in the box. so no real extra expense for them.

[Big Dave]

Using an external hard drive with USB1 will be very very very slow.
It will work, but it will be painful.

They're developing USB3 at the moment, should be good.

It's not too bad at all using it for my photo archives and shifting bunches of 1-5mb files around.

If you were working/processing with it - different story.

[Big Dave]

One thing that starting to annoy me with alot of these things you can buy, printers etc, don't come with the usb cables, i mean buying in bulk might cost them about $0.50 if lucky to throw one in the box. so no real extra expense for them.


Cunning plan - I'll spend more when I go back to get it. May as well stock up on cartridges now.

[enigma51]

If for some reason it doesnt work connect it to one of those external usb hub thingy's that are connect to power