microdrive pros & cons

[netBookBabe]

340meg Microdrive, Ray? Lucky you! I wouldn't even think about shelling out for a paltry little 32meg DIMM in that case!

Julie

[motman]

Hi Julie,

Thank for your help on all my probs. and as far as Microdrive is concerned try Dixons 340meg drive is only £99.99 and the 1gig £129.99 a lot chaper than the 32meg dimm. If it any help the 1gig works in the P7book where it did not in the P7.

Regards to All

[netBookBabe]

Originally posted by motman
....as far as Microdrive is concerned try Dixons 340meg drive is only £99.99 and the 1gig £129.99 a lot chaper than the 32meg dimm. If it any help the 1gig works in the P7book where it did not in the P7Must admit I am seriously tempted! I've never got around to affording the 32meg DIMM for my netBook, but I've done just fine without it, so long as the majority of apps have been installed to CF. I think the money would be much better spent on a Microdrive, yes. A 1 gig, definitely! :D

Julie

[spegru]

I tend to install apps to the C drive because previously I've noticed some of them at least (esp Route planner) run a heck of alot faster. Anyone else noticed this?.

So for me anyway the limiting factor is the number of apps installable on 16M of C drive. If anyone else does the same, how many apps have you fitte on - and still have a bit left over for temporary storage?

I put all data files - word/ sheet/ etc / etc files, plus the app SIS files on the D drive (80m - getting full now) in case I have to reboot. I would need a bigger CF if the OS.img were on D too.
Probably 128 would be ok for me - but it depends on whetehr I start using the same CF for photos and MP3s etc

rgds

spegru

[spegru]

I'ts quite often the case that I get 'battery too low to write to disk' with CF

Have you noticed what battery life (and access times) is like on Microdrive compared to CF?

spegru

[motman]

I have not taken a lot of notice to be honest it does not seem to make that much difference to the life of the battery.

The one thing that is noticeable is the fact that a CF card is a bit quicker to read than the MD as being a small Hard Disk you have to wait a few seconds for it to build up speed.

A bit like the old computer after standing Idle for a while when the HD goes to sleep.

But even then it still is a lot more memory than the 32meg dimm don't you agree.

I am quite happy on the situation.

Hope this helps on your decission.

[boris12]

I have a 1Gb in the E-slot of my netbook
I use it only to store info and documentation
consulting makes nearly no difference in battery-use
so for me it is excellent
I think the situation changes if one install programms on the microdrive - which keep it running very frequently
regards

[motman]

Hi boris12

You state that the 1gb works in your E drive may I ask if it is a Genuine nb or a P7nb as mine will not recognise the MD at all CF is OK but not the MDs.

[boris12]

Hello Ray
its a genuine nb
I only wanted to comment on the batteryconsumption
I think I read somewhere that 7 does not have anough power on the E slot but I am not certain about that
anyway - the E slot is critical - you have to push the CF or pcmcia card deep anough for to make contact
regards
Boris

[motman]

Hi Boris,

My E slot works fine on CF but not with the Microdrive but I have it in the D slot at all times. Iuse the E slot for CF and backing up mainly.

[nmbaker]

I've been using it in D on the 7 and not 7book, but noticed that with over 7000 pages of my website as quick reference, takes ages to load and run some apps and it doesn't help having large numbers of european street plans on it too. Cosidering moving apps to C and data staying on D to see if change is markedly better as not much to choose in terms of speed since upgrading to 7book.

Since I use it with hi res camera, I am able to show clients detail of pictures very rapidly without use of PC and I find on average I can store about 200 pictures in addition to all of the apps which is running to 5 columns on the extras bar (all at the moment are on the microdrive and regularly backup C to it as well, so when camera is connected to PC I can copy contents via USB quickly.

Will report back on speed differences if markedly better

[Fred_R]

I have been using a 1 Gb microdrive on D drive for a couple of months on my S7, and now my 7book. I use E drive to plug either the Voyager or a CF from my camera.

I takes a long time to access some directories on D:, but I trade this off against the start up time for M$ Windows and it seems trivial.

My main use is graphics and the 7book wins hands down!
Access to graphics using MBMView, 5FX or Presentation Maker are all much faster and this makes it easier to work with clients!

I feel that the batteries are used faster with the microdrive, but this is not a quantitative measure as I plug into mains ea night.

I have yet to hear of a benefit of going to 32 DIMM, as I am happy with the microdrive and the 7's new personality! It does all I want of it, for now anyway.

Fred
:D