(no subject)

[jgrafton]

Fairly standard I-want-feedback post:

I'm looking to get an external hard drive for my laptop for various uses; it should be "fast enough" and needs to be USB 2.0.

What should I look for, what brands are good/bad, etc? I feel so bad that I don't know these things, but I just want to make sure I don't get screwed 6 months down the road...

Whee.

Comments

[scyhunter.livejournal.com]

I got my 160 GB buffalo external at comp USA or Micro Center (cant remember which) for about 80 dollars. It hasnt died, and its nice and fast (quick enough to be limited by the USB 2 not by the drive itself) It is a happy drive, plus its a buffalo, and who doesnt love them large mammals?

[yangsta.livejournal.com]

most of the cheapo ones will work just fine; the only thing to look out for is upper limit for HD size (some of them mysteriously have a limit of 160). also, brands don't really matter since no "respectable" brand is going to make HD enclosures.

[brpxqzme.livejournal.com]

I dunno... my current one is from Western Digital and it's been runnin' two years strong. Then again, I'm one of those people around whom computers just DON'T break; I'm sure Jeff isn't going to trust WD too much again, EVAR.

Coincidentially, I'm still looking for a new one, though, coz 80GB just doesn't cut it for a space whore like me... and it's the biggest drive in the house!

[telemenar]

Well there are really two directions you can take this. You can either go for something portable or something stationary. The stationary options are much larger(Both in capacity and physically) and typically require external power. However the portable ones are smaller in form factor and such and ideally run off USB power.

If you are looking for a portable model I would suggest this: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16822144344

I have one myself and have been very pleased with it.

If you want something with more capacity that will be stationary I can't help quite as much but searching through new egg using power search tends to be a good way to look at the options that meet your requirements.

[experiment6.livejournal.com]

On the portable side, I'd recommend any of the Pocketec portable drives (http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.asp?Submit=Browse&Manufactory=8053). They also have 40 and 60 GB models, Newegg doesn't list them for some reason but I'm sure Amazon does. Don't have the size of the bigger ones, but they're very small and durable, carry anywhere, work with anything.

[logicnerd411.livejournal.com]

If you're looking for maximum configurability and space, I've had a 300 GB Seagate hooked into a 3.5" aluminum enclosure (all ordered on Newegg) for a reasonable price (IIRC $.50ish/GB). Of course, if you need max portability, the 2.5" USB powered ones will do - only limit is RPM maybe and size.

And of course, you missed Black Friday, where they had decent deals on decent prebuilt external HDs.

[angeldesignpro.livejournal.com]

I did this a while ago, and here is what I learned:

Aboid pre-assembled hard drives like the plague unless you REALLY need it to be tiny. They tend to be slow, overly expensive, and bigger than they have to be (even in the "portable" size)

Just buy a good harddrive for a low amount of dollars and slap it in an enclosure. I got a 2.5" 5400 RPM laptop harddrive and enclosure for ~100 bucks, and the previous poster had a link to the same deal (at today's prices) for the same config but more $$$.

Obviously you can do it with 2.5" or 3.5" drives. The bigger drives usually need to be powered externally, which bites and is what made me choose the laptop size. Portable and less plugs for the win!

Again: Avoid pre-packaged external hard drives

[kades905.livejournal.com]

I can definitely vouch for any of the Maxtor OneTouches. I've got a 250GB drive that wasn't too expensive and is very reliable (and also comes with auto comp-backup software). I use it for all my photos, and even applications and stuff. It's not too small, but is still easy to lug around. It doesn't get hot; I keep it attached to my computer at all times. It's "fast enough."

It can connect to both USB 2.0 AND Firewire; in fact, the newer models even connect to the new Firewire port (I forget the name of the upgrade, off the top of my head, myself.)

[alanv]

Build your own.
I built my own (bought a HD and a case), and it ended up being much cheaper than the pre-made ones. Only thing though... if you plan to use it extensively (more as another HD than an external drive), get one that has a fan (or a case wiht a fan) since they'll tend to heat up rather fast in an enclosed case.

[jgrafton]

I was originally thinking of going the "roll your own" route, but now I'm looking at these portable 2.5" drives and they're just so sexy and stuff, though also much more expensive. Sigh, decisions, decisions...

[genuinekfc.livejournal.com]

Is this to backup your computer? Do you only have *one* computer to backup?

My parents got an external hard drive to backup their three computers, then discovered that due to proprietary software, they could only use it to backup one computer.

I'm about to get an external DVD writer (or build-your-own route) for the purpose of making backups. Multiple copies can be stored in multiple locations, and I'll be able to use it with my work laptop.