Totable hard-drive based system

[Dusty Chalk]

I've heard of it, but I haven't heard it.

[aardvark baguette]

I probably wont be getting this, but if ever anything was totable (with decent storage space) its this:

http://www.engadget.com/2008/03/10/buffalo-announces-500gb-ministation-turbousb-external-hdd/

No power outlet needed

[aardvark baguette]

http://www.buy.com/prod/cavalry-2tb-2-x-1tb-sata-drives-usb-2-0-external-hard-drive/q/loc/101/205714248.html

2 Terra bytes for $410 after rebate

[Dusty Chalk]

Alright, so back to this, I am heavily leaning towards Mac Mini + Apogee Duet. The main reason of the Mini over a laptop is I fucking hate that noise that my DAC gets when the power control software throttles the CPU speeds. The downside is that for this hypothetical totable system, I would need a screen. Anyone have any ideas? I was thinking something like the i-glasses. link of examples

grawk -- can you control a Mac Mini without a monitor with the iTouch (and, of course, an iPhone, which I am probably getting next January)?

Also, having recently started using a Mac -- is there a quick solution to the compatability issue regarding external USB drives between Mac and Windows? I couldn't get the Mac to read my USB drive, but I have to admit to not having investigated very hard (computers were networked together, so I just moved the files over that way).

Edited June 18, 2008 by Dusty Chalk

[grawk]

Alright, so back to this, I am heavily leaning towards Mac Mini + Apogee Duet. The main reason of the Mini over a laptop is I fucking hate that noise that my DAC gets when the power control software throttles the CPU speeds. The downside is that for this hypothetical totable system, I would need a screen. Anyone have any ideas? I was thinking something like the i-glasses.

I use a sonic impact ipod video-55 dock and a dvi->video out adapter cable

grawk -- can you control a Mac Mini without a monitor with the iTouch (and, of course, an iPhone, which I am probably getting next January)?

Yes - Signal

Also, having recently started using a Mac -- is there a quick solution to the compatability issue regarding external USB drives between Mac and Windows? I couldn't get the Mac to read my USB drive, but I have to admit to not having investigated very hard (computers were networked together, so I just moved the files over that way).

it should read windows drives just fine

[krrm]

Alright, so back to this, I am heavily leaning towards Mac Mini + Apogee Duet. The main reason of the Mini over a laptop is I fucking hate that noise that my DAC gets when the power control software throttles the CPU speeds. The downside is that for this hypothetical totable system, I would need a screen. Anyone have any ideas? I was thinking something like the i-glasses.

Is a LCD tv an option? I use that, and it works fairly well.

[grawk]

You can also just use vnc or remote desktop

[Dusty Chalk]

Is a LCD tv an option? I use that, and it works fairly well.

No, not really. Unless you know of a cheap, small one, I don't see that as being particularly totable. I like grawk's other idea of a video adapter and a dock, especially since I'm probably already getting an iPhone.

I mean, yeah, I have access to one for setting up, that's not the issue. The issue is the "while toting" part.

[grawk]

if you want to use it "while toting" it won't be too helpful

[aardvark baguette]

Anyone have any ideas? I was thinking something like the i-glasses. link of examples

I think people watching you wear these would assume you're looking at porn. That may or may not bother you.

[grawk]

anyone that looks at dusty thinks he's looking at porn no matter what he does. If anyone looks like a perv, it's dusty.

[Dusty Chalk]

if you want to use it "while toting" it won't be too helpful

Well, no, I don't mean that I'll be listening to it while toting, I mean that 'while toting', I'd be worried that it would receive damage, making it useless during the before and after toting sessions.

anyone that looks at dusty thinks he's looking at porn no matter what he does. If anyone looks like a perv, it's dusty.

's'truth.

[grawk]

the ipod dock I have is on woot right now (woot off) for $30 + $5 shipping

[grawk]

heh, and it's gone

[Dusty Chalk]

Western Digital quietly intros WD TV HD Media Player - Engadget

So...who's going to be the first to try this and tell me how the internal DAC is? I want the same thing except with a digital audio out (will also help with the multi-channel situation, like ripped DTS tracks), and component and/or S-video.

Or should I go iPod/iTransport (Wadia)? Or should I go laptop/external DAC?

[grawk]

the wadia is only useful with a dac. I think an appletv is a better choice than the wadia, personally.

[slwiser]

Dell Mini with Western Digital Passport 320 g HD and iBasso Boa into a ATH-ESW10JPN is what I carry to work. The Dell Mini has jRiver Media player on it. All music files are FLAC.

[Dusty Chalk]

the wadia is only useful with a dac. I think an appletv is a better choice than the wadia, personally.

So is 280 for a 160 a good deal, do ya think?

The more I think about it, the more I think this is the perfect solution for me. It gives me the opportunity to upgrade the DAC as I can afford to, and...that's pretty much it. I like 'simple'.

[grawk]

Seems like a decent price. I paid $200 for a used 160, but that was a steal

I wouldn't buy anything from apple until black friday tho...

[Dusty Chalk]

So 240 for 160 is even better, and it's not necessarily stealing, but perhaps coercing...?

[grawk]

I'd go $280 from apple rather than $240 from someone else, honestly, for the warranty

[Dusty Chalk]

Yeah, that's good advice, especially since they're both refurbs.