CF vs. Microdrive vs. SD

ColdZero · 11-02-04, 10:56 AM

I'm just about to buy a a hx4700, actually probably tongiht. I'd like to do some video and gps stuff with it, so I'm gonna need some exra storage. I was looking at a 5GB MicroDrive, a 4GB CF or maybe a 2GB SD.

The MicroDrive seems the cheapest, that being I'm going to buy a Rio MP3 player off of ebay for around 150-170 and take the drive out of it. Nobody seems to like microdrives on this board though. Or rather I've never seen a microdrive recommended. Is there any reason for this? The only thing I could find was that somebdoy had problems getting it out of their ipaq because of a snug fit.

Compact Flash would be fine, but it costs more.

SD, I don't think 2gb is gonna be enough for me. MP3s+Video+GPS stuff

Is there any reason I should choose CF over MD or visa versa?

rob1303 · 11-02-04, 11:19 AM

Hi Coldzero (me again

)

I use a microdrive (2.2gb) in my 2210 and I have had no problems with it.

However, be aware they are more fragile than CF cards because they have moving parts (as opposed to flash cards which are solid state devices) - this means that they are more prone to damage from shocks - but as I said I have had no problesm yet.

Microdrives also use more battery (again because of moving parts) but this is only between 10-18% and at the time that I bought drive this was a fair trade off because flash drives were much more expensive (the difference would have bought me three batteries! - so I bought one and never notice the additional drain).

Whichever way choose I would recommend that you purchase a SD card AND a CF/Microdrive.

I have an SD card permanently installed in my 2210 - I load nearly all my programmes and skins on it - plus files that I want to have with me but don't change that much (timetables etc) - basically I use it as additional main memory - with a few songs that I change often on it as well.

The CF card is then only used as a media drive (music/ movies/ tv shows etc) - therefore if I need to plug something else into my PPC - modem, GPS, camera etc - I can without too much trouble). Plus as CF cards fall in price I will add more so that I can swap my media around.

If you are going to buy large memory cards (512mb+) then I strobgly recommend that you get a USB2 card reader at the same (they are cheap but you should try and get them to throw one in tonight when you buy your machine

) ActiveSync has real trouble with large files and is slow

That should give you a few pointers

(Don't forget to charge the battery properly when you get your machine - best to leave it overnight).

whitelyt · 11-02-04, 11:20 AM

ColdZero,

I don't think noone likes microdrives. Quite the opposite IMO because they are generally cheaper than CF cards of equal file size. For the most part microdrives eats up alot more battery than CF solid state memory cards. The reason for this is moving parts. Microdrives have moving parts; actually it is a mini HDD. Microdrives can tend to get hot as well. So microdrives work well for some but for others that is mobile alot and not able to keep their PPC charged microdrives may not work as well.

So it really boils down to how you use your PPC. If you feel you can sacrifice battery for the size and cost of a microdrive then that's what you should go with. If you need as much battery as you can get and you are not willing to sacrifice battery then a microdrive may not be as appealing.

Since I don't own a microdrive I cannot give you specifics in terms of battery drain ratio using microdrives. But trust me when I say that they do eat up battery.

allklrnoflr · 11-02-04, 11:27 AM

I think the bigest problem most people have with microdrives is that it drains the battery fastery since it has moving parts. I would go with both a CF and SD card and you should have more than enough room.

oneeye · 11-02-04, 01:49 PM

I had a microdrive with my ipaq 3835 and I could hear a tic every ten seconds or so when playing movies or music. I'll never buy another microdrive.

rob61280 · 11-02-04, 02:51 PM

I had problems with a microdrive too, Mp3's skipped, movies paused while caching, it got very hot and drained my h2210 battery very quickly, it took ages to reboot with the drive in the ppc. and then to top it all the drive failed and i lost all my data. it was a magicstor 2.2gb (there made by hitachi like most microdrives). I would never use one again in a pda.

linguistdude · 11-02-04, 04:18 PM

ColdZero, I took my drive from a Rio too. WOrks great.

I've never had those kind of problems. Technically, my CF hard drive is not a microdrive, as it is made by Seagate. It is a Seagate ST1 5 gigabyte drive. I watch all kinds of movies and listen to music etc and it's never skipped. Battery life isn't significantly affected either.

--Chris

CookieKid · 11-02-04, 05:14 PM

Quote:

I have an SD card permanently installed in my 2210 - I load nearly all my programmes and skins on it - plus files that I want to have with me but don't change that much (timetables etc) - basically I use it as additional main memory - with a few songs that I change often on it as well.

If I could trade my CF 1GB card for an SD one, I would...bad thing about having the CF 1GB card (for me) was that I also had a CF wifi card too...I can't have the space and surf net at the same time

MACMANIA4U · 11-02-04, 06:13 PM

dude get the microdrive. Fact: microdrives are maybe up to % slower than a lexar 80x 1gb cf card with video playback.
Fact: you will get 5 more minutes of battery life with a CF vs a microdrive

ColdZero · 11-02-04, 08:44 PM

I think I'm getting the 4gb microdrive because my friend who works at compusa just mentioned he can get it at cost for $150...yea, can't beat that.

V-Man · 11-03-04, 12:03 AM

What is the speed difference between a microdrive and a cf card?
Which one is faster and is it fast enough to make a good difference?

Thanks

rob1303 · 11-03-04, 12:43 AM

Originally Posted by V-Man

What is the speed difference between a microdrive and a cf card?
Which one is faster and is it fast enough to make a good difference?

Thanks

CF card is faster - whether it makes a difference or not is dependent on what you are using it for.

I use my microdrive for media (movies/ tv shows/ music) and I have no problems whatsever - but the software I use - betaplayer - also caches ahead, so that would solve any issues if there were any.

I would recommend putting a frequesntly used programme on one though - because you will have to wait for the drive to spin-up and it would use the battery faster.

robert_a_hudson · 07-23-05, 09:50 AM

I am thikning of getting the following microdrive, and wondered if any 4700 users had any comments about it?

Its a MagicStor 2.2GB MicroDrive

TIA,

Robert

MikeUnwired · 07-23-05, 12:23 PM

Originally Posted by robert_a_hudson

I am thikning of getting the following microdrive, and wondered if any 4700 users had any comments about it?

Its a MagicStor 2.2GB MicroDrive

TIA,

Robert

I bought one with high hopes only to have it lock-up regularly.

I've taken it out of my hx4700 and it now sits in a basket full of spare change. I wish it had worked because I have a 5GB Toshiba PC Card drive with a CF to PC Card adapter that I have to use in its place.

robert_a_hudson · 07-23-05, 12:52 PM

Originally Posted by MikeUnwired

I bought one with high hopes only to have it lock-up regularly.

I've taken it out of my hx4700 and it now sits in a basket full of spare change. I wish it had worked because I have a 5GB Toshiba PC Card drive with a CF to PC Card adapter that I have to use in its place.

Well im glad i didnt spend the best part of £50 on it without getting an opinion,

Thanks

User Name		Remember Me?
Password

iPAQ hx47xx series - Talk about the HP iPAQ hx4700 series