I have studio XPS 1640 Windows 7. I want external HDD . whst is my fstest port?

[shmuelyosef]

I have studio XPS 1640 Windows 7 64 . I want external HDD . whst is my fastest port? USB, SATA or 1394? I will be using it for ADOBE temporary files. I do not care if I need to a power source.

 

[Rab1d-BDGR]

If your USB ports are USB 3.0 then these are easily the fastest. However, it is more likely that they are USB 2.0 - the speed differences between 1394, eSATA and USB 2 are probably too small to notice. It depends on what other devices you intend to plug into your laptop. For example: Personally I use a lot of USB devices so I would choose the eSATA as this frees up the limited number of 1394 and USB ports for other gadgets.

 

[shmuelyosef]

If your USB ports are USB 3.0 then these are easily the fastest. However, it is more likely that they are USB 2.0 - the speed differences between 1394, eSATA and USB 2 are probably too small to notice. It depends on what other devices you intend to plug into your laptop. For example: Personally I use a lot of USB devices so I would choose the eSATA as this frees up the limited number of 1394 and USB ports for other gadgets.

Thank you very much for your guidance. I made my choice and went with eSATA for this LaCie External 1 terrabyte drive. It claims 3000gbs transfer rate over eSata which is 10 times faster than USB 2, they claim. But I also have the problem as you do with not enough USB ports and my 1394 port is what I need for my movie camera. Adobe CS5 Premiere pro will only capture from that port (1394).

So again, thank you.