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Apple IDE Cannot Access Beyond 137GB

Posted by pudge on from the hard-drives-for-dummies dept.

An anonymous reader writes: "iMacLinux reported on a PenguinPPC story about Apple hardware being unable to address more than 137GB of space on IDE drives. The Apple computers only have ATA-66, which can only address 28 bits, while ATA-100/133 can address 48 bits. Solutions include using a PCI controller, FireWire or SCSI."

9 of 112 comments (clear)

  1. Re:Why is this just an Apple problem? by benh57 · · Score: 2, Insightful

    And Macs are "all PCI based" and you can easily upgrade them as well. C'mon, think.

  2. Kings to Paupers by dtype · · Score: 5, Insightful
    Sadly, this is an area where Apple really has dropped the ball. It used to be that machines came with SCSI drives and interfaces, in a technology push similar to the USB push of a few years ago, and the current Firewire bonanza.

    Now, while Apple's FireWire support is certainly commendable, lack of USB 2.0 (in a slight war with Intel in competition with Firewire) and the inferior hard drives that ship with even the best machines is lackluster at best.

    It is time to let Apple know that drive performance is just as high on our list as such cool things as 1394. I can't plug my DV camcorder up to it (which certainly does reduce marketing value), but a fast IDE bus is still extremely important.

    If you're in the mac market, or own one now, make sure to let Apple sales know what you think.

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    Drew Streib, dtype.org

    1. Re:Kings to Paupers by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Insightful

      Personally, I love ATA drives. Really. Even doing digital multitrack I/O I don't want or need SCSI.
      Apple offers IDE as the default because it works well and inexpensively. If you want SCSI, you can order Ultra 160 drives in your PowerMac direct from Apple. They give you an option, so take it. I instead ordered an ATA RAID card and have never hard a problem with drive performance. Imagine if Apple started putting SCSI drives in their iMacs - nicer drives and they also had to raise the price tag by $300. Doesn't really sound like a smart move for a consumer oriented product, does it?

  3. Waiting for SerialATA by ChadN · · Score: 3, Insightful

    I assume Apple (like myself) is waiting for deployment of serial ATA technology; this will get around the current size restrictions as well as offer other improvements. I had hoped it would be available by now, but it seems it will be another year or so before it is even targeted for high end consumer level products.

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  4. Re:Why is this just an Apple problem? by schnacky · · Score: 2, Insightful

    And if you own an imac or a cube, exactly where do you put the PCI card? C'mon, think!

  5. I don't really see a problem here. by sg3000 · · Score: 2, Insightful

    I mean, if you're going to address that much hard drive space, wouldn't you use SCSI anyway?

    Apple's online store shows the dual 1 GHz systems with 2x80 GB ATA drives, but with an option to do 3x72 GB Ultra 160 SCSI drives. Then, of course there's always FireWire.

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  6. Standard hardware has limitations, over. by Kris_J · · Score: 5, Insightful
    "Whoa, well thank God that's over, I was worried there for a second."

    Seriously, the problem and the solution were all neatly bundled up into this story. Hey, I bet a standard Mac can only use 4 IDE devices before you have to add another hard drive controller. *Gasp*. I assume people who need more devices add appropriate upgrades.

  7. Why is this an apple story? by Lally+Singh · · Score: 3, Insightful

    This sounds like an ATA/66 issue, not an Apple issue. What's the deal with all this spin?

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  8. Re:Why is this just an Apple problem? by jasonwileymac.com · · Score: 3, Insightful

    OOOOO... BURN... Seriously, the ATA thing is really a non-issue. If you have an iMac or a Cube, you didn't buy it for expandability. i have a 100GB crive in mine, but I don't think I'll go any bigger. If you have a tower, you get a PCI card, just like any PC user that doesn't have bleeding-edge technology. No biggie. Personally, I prefer LOTS of hard drives over a few big ones. When OS X RAID starts working propperly.... Oh... I see colors....