How Big a Difference......
 

How big a difference is it between Usb 1.1, Usb 2.0 and firewire. I am currently using Usb 1.1 and want to know what is the advantage or difference between firewire and Usb 2.0 in plain english.

Thanks
Dudelive

USB 1.1 has a raw data rate at 12Mbps
USB 2.0 has a raw data rate at 480Mbps

And
Firewire 400 speed is at 400 Mbps
Firewire 800 speed is at 800 Mbps

Just to give you an idea, it took me on my USB2 external HD to transfer a couple of HD backups (connected to USB1 interface) around 2 hours. Now the same transfer on a USB2 Interface took me only 20 minutes! THats a huge difference, it would be faster with firewire 800 of course, but i dont have that! :) It a very worthy difference, and very noticible

~PCTech

If your wanting an external drive and don't mind adding a PCI card, go with a external SATA setup.
It blows away USB2 and Firewire, no noticible speed difference from an internal drive.

Highpoint makes a couple resonable kits called "RocketMate" that come with an eSata card and external hard drive enclosure.
Dave