Raid 1 Laptops under $1,000

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ToySoldier

ToySoldier

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Dec 17, 2003
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I will entertain an eBay purchase but after Google searching, I am having trouble finding RAID 1 laptops. I will be used for Office 2010 and general business apps... nothing intensive.

Unless I use eBay for something used... is it possible to find something new for under $1,000? My friend is reluctant to use online backup storage or external storage. She wants to keep it simple with a RAID 1 solution.

Thanks
 
corkyg

corkyg

Elite Member | Peripherals
Super Moderator
Mar 4, 2000
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RAID 1 is not a backup. It does provide for data redundancy as long as there is no malware infection. If there is the latter, then both drives will be contaminated. I have two drives in my Lenovo T510, and also an external USB driv. My data is on the secondary drive and that is duplicated on the USB external. Data can also be backed up on flash memory devices. Further, I have my main OS drive duplicated and ready to go in a spare caddy. I rotate that drive every week.
 
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unokitty

Diamond Member
Jan 5, 2012
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I wouldn't expect to find RAID in a laptop.

Personally, I rarely store data on my laptop. For the most part, I keep my working files on a set of USB drives.

If your friend needs data redundancy, I suspect that it would be more productive to look for some sort of a docking station with an external drive...

Best of luck,
Uno
 
billyb0b

billyb0b

Golden Member
Nov 8, 2009
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usually only big desktop replacement machines (i.e. 17" + screens) offer RAID support.
 
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unokitty

Diamond Member
Jan 5, 2012
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Corkyg,

Thanks for the correction I wasn't aware that RAID was available.

Having said that, I still think the original poster would be prudent to consider an alternative technology.

Uno
 
alfa147x

alfa147x

Lifer
Jul 14, 2005
29,307
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106
Does Win 7 have a disk utility type application? I've set up my 13 inch MacBook Pro in RAID 0 and 1
 
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unokitty

Diamond Member
Jan 5, 2012
3,346
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alfa147x,

RAID 0 doubles your single points of failure. (Lose either drive, lose all of your data).

RAID 1 implemented with a single drive controller doesn't protect you from a drive controller failure. (Have a problem with your controller, both drives likely impacted.)

But if that worked for you, then good for you. Though, I'd be reluctant to make those tradeoffs on my laptop.

Did I understand you correctly to say that a standard MacBook Pro can implement RAID 0 or RAID 1?

If the original poster can find one of those at his price point, then that might be a solution for him.

Uno
 
alfa147x

alfa147x

Lifer
Jul 14, 2005
29,307
106
106
unokitty said:
alfa147x,

RAID 0 doubles your single points of failure. (Lose either drive, lose all of your data).

RAID 1 implemented with a single drive controller doesn't protect you from a drive controller failure. (Have a problem with your controller, both drives likely impacted.)

But if that worked for you, then good for you. Though, I'd be reluctant to make those tradeoffs on my laptop.

Did I understand you correctly to say that a standard MacBook Pro can implement RAID 0 or RAID 1?

If the original poster can find one of those at his price point, then that might be a solution for him.

Uno
Click to expand...

I know what RAID 0 and 1 are used for. I just wanted to try it and see if it was possible to run either system. Currently I am running a 120GB SSD and a 500GB Hybrid
 
E

Emulex

Diamond Member
Jan 28, 2001
9,759
1
71
intel has this hybrid. it essentially takes two drives and raid's them but its designed to be broken. so you eject the drive and store it. then you plug in another drive and you can re-sync it. i forgot what its called but that might do what you need. plug in a drive, sync it, unplug it.
 
ToySoldier

ToySoldier

Member
Dec 17, 2003
186
0
76
Jawadali said:
I believe many of the ASUS G-series (gaming-oriented) laptops have dual drive bays (i.e. G53 / G73 / G74).

I'm not sure about the exact RAID options on them, though. Depending on if they are on sale and condition (new/refurb), I've seen them for around ~$800-1200. Here is one model right at $1000:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834230028
Click to expand...

I've read each response. Thanks for ALL the input.

She's a stubborn Lieutenant ;) so RAID 1 it will be. I will be sure to remind her about the malware issue with RAID 1. She has an external HD but only cares to take the time to back her info on that maybe once a week or every other week.

Let me see if I can find a Gxx series laptop on Ebay within her budget. I have sata hd's of the same brand/size (250gb to 350gb) lying around collecting dust.

*** EDIT *** After searching, I think the ASUS G Series is too expensive... is there an older series "last generation" or older that would work? She could easily get away an old AMD/Intel "Dual Core" or more.
 
Last edited:
R

rabbitz

Member
Dec 21, 2011
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ToySoldier said:
*** EDIT *** After searching, I think the ASUS G Series is too expensive... is there an older series "last generation" or older that would work? She could easily get away an old AMD/Intel "Dual Core" or more.
Click to expand...

Does she need an optical drive? If not, you can take almost any new laptop with a standard optical drive and stick in a generic optical bay hard drive adapter + 2nd hdd. I'm not sure exactly what you need for raid but I believe that most newer intel core series notebooks have chipsets that features intel rapid storage technology which supports some types of RAID.
 
M

Meaker10

Senior member
Apr 2, 2002
370
0
0
You need to look for the specific chipsets, each generation intel has one supporting raid.

HM67 this gen, HM57 last gen.
 
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