#G TECHNOLOGY EXTERNAL HARD DRIVE FOR MAC REVIEW PORTABLE#
The G-DRIVE mini clearly posts benefits associated from the faster drive inside, making this the fastest non-flash portable hard drive we’ve tested to date. The WD My Passport Studio posts 83.2MB/s read speeds and write speeds of 73.4MB/s over FireWire 800. The Buffalo MiniStation with Thunderbolt posts 115.1MB/s on both the sequential read and write tests and large-block random access speeds of 46.3MB/s for reads and 49.1MB/s for writes. For bulk storage and the occasional backup, the G-DRIVE mini offers a lot of punch for a 2.5-inch external hard drive.īy comparison, the mini outpaces similarly targeted products.
Sequential read and write speeds measured 127.6MB/s and 121.2MB/s respectively, while random large-block transfers measured 55.1MB/s read and 55.9MB/s write. Using our consumer test platform, we measured transfer speeds from the G-DRIVE mini utilizing its USB 3.0 interface with IOMeter. Even so, since a USB 3.0 cable is included and the new Macs support that interface, the lack of Thunderbolt may be annoying to some but not likely a deal breaker for many. If anything it could be argued that mobile users who use Mac platforms would prefer to standardize accessories on a single interface. The obvious missing piece is Thunderbolt, but as we’ve seen time and again the benefit for Thunderbolt in hard drive scenarios is nonexistent. The drive also includes a power switch, which is a nice inclusion, giving users more control over the drive’s power consumption. The drive is bus powered but in some cases depending on how the drive is connected additional power could be required. Underneath, the enclosure is highlighted by an impressive heatsync and the access points for the lid screws. The back houses all of the ports, including USB 3.0, twin FireWire ports and an optional power supply. The main body houses the HGST 7K1000 hard drive inside and a top piece that covers the drive sled is held in place with six screws. The front of the enclosure houses the G-Technology G logo and a small white access LED behind the front vents on the right side. Even under extreme pressure, the case barely flexes thanks to the two-piece design. The entire body is aluminum, with a rigid build that exudes quality throughout. The G-DRIVE mini immediately blends in well next to any of the current generation Mac notebooks that would likely pair with a portable hard drive like this.
Cooling System: Fanless, integrated heat sink.The drives are shipping now with a street price of $185. Where other drives provide the minimum amount of accessories in the box, HGST includes dual FireWire cords, a USB 3.0 cord and a black carrying pouch for the drive. The current generation of G-DRIVE mini with USB 3.0 ships in 500GB and 1TB capacities with a three-year warranty. Inside the enclosure, the mini always gets 7,200 RPM hard drives, which is not common in the portable hard drive space (most use 5,400 RPM drives) and comes out of the box formatted for Mac users. The G-DRIVE mini does nothing to tarnish that image, providing a combination of performance and capacity with near silent operation. The HGST G-Technology brand has long been synonymous with quality, earning a special place in the hearts of Mac users and creative professionals. The G-Technology G-DRIVE mini is a 1TB portable hard drive designed for Mac users who want an elegant yet rugged enclosure with plenty of connectivity options.
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