Apple Logic Pro /LogicExpress Discussion

At home on my desktop computer I run Logic on my startup internal  
drive, and use a Mercury Elite external FW800 for samples and  
recorded audio.  I also keep iTunes mp3s on there, so anytime I am  
traveling, I grab my audio drive and my laptop and have everything I  
need.

However, after lugging my 2-ton mercury elite audio drive around the  
country for the holidays, I am seeking a sleeker solution.   I see  
that OWC has a mini version of the Mercury Elite drive with SATA,  
FW800 and USB ports.  It's a bit pricey at $200 for 500GB, but I also  
have a nice McAlly 2.5 enclosure that I could add a good drive to.

Are other people using bus-powered 2.5" drives for recording?  Is it  
a viable solution?  My track counts are not huge - about 8 stereo  
instruments, and 8 mono and 4 stereo audio tracks running  
simultaneously.

Also, do I really need FW?  There are tons of good portable USB  
drives and enclosures out there, and FW ups the costs and restricts  
my options considerably.

Thanks for any input.

Gregory



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