Need an External Hard Drive

[Ilpav]

I am looking for advice for external hard drives because the 80 GB on my PC is almost up.

Anyway, I am looking to spend no more than $100 and I am not looking for 32 billion TB of space. I think another 80 GB would be just fine. How low do they go anyway?

I found this so far:

Seagate Maxtor STM901603OTA3E1-RK OneTouch 4 Mini 160GB External Hard Drive - 2.5", USB 2.0 - $70



I don't really trust this brand, so can anyone recommend me a unit that has a good brand name and within my budget and specs?

Thanks.

Edit: Did some more searching and found a brand name that I recognize:

Western Digital Elements 500GB 3.5" External Hard Drive - 7200, USB 2.0 - $90

[Vette Boss]

Seagate actually bought Maxtor a few years ago, their drives are considered decent now. If you still don't trust them, Western Digital makes a similar model for just a bit more. You get to choose your colour for it.

[Ilpav]

Another thing: Do I actually have to plug the external drive in for power? Or does it run off of the PC's PSU?

[73GMCSprint]

Originally Posted by Ilpav

Another thing: Do I actually have to plug the external drive in for power? Or does it run off of the PC's PSU?

3.5" drives require an AC adaptor for power. 2.5" drives will usually run off of USB, but generally take 2 USB slots to do it (or one USB + AC adaptor).

I've seen mixed reviews on both Seagate and WD external drives. The drives themselves are OK, but I've heard of problems with the case and firmware they use.

Another option would be to buy the drive of your choice and get a case to put it in. There are tons of combinations that come out to <$100 (US, anyway).

[Ilpav]

Originally Posted by 73GMCSprint

3.5" drives require an AC adaptor for power. 2.5" drives will usually run off of USB, but generally take 2 USB slots to do it (or one USB + AC adaptor).

I've seen mixed reviews on both Seagate and WD external drives. The drives themselves are OK, but I've heard of problems with the case and firmware they use.

Another option would be to buy the drive of your choice and get a case to put it in. There are tons of combinations that come out to <$100 (US, anyway).

So, of the two which would you recommend? Are there any other brands I should be aware of?

What can go wrong with their cases? It says the WD has a durable metal case, so what can go wring with it?

And I don't think it'll be cost worthy to get a normal HD plus a case.

[Zorlac]

I would just get a good external enclosure. I use a Macally PHR-100AC that has both Firewire 400 and USB 2.0. Threw in a 320gb HD I got from Frys for $50 earlier this year. The Macally cost $35 or so when I got it.

[Viper007Bond]

Originally Posted by 73GMCSprint

2.5" drives will usually run off of USB, but generally take 2 USB slots to do it (or one USB + AC adaptor).

No they don't, as long as the cable is under a foot long or something like that. My dad's WD 2.5" external is USB only.

[BlaRo]

A word on Maxtor: my OneTouch portable HD has died on me twice and is starting to show its age - it's my second one already, and the OneTouch software always BSOD's and nukes my computer when I use it to back up files. Some files that I copy are corrupted; running CHKDSK to scan sectors freezes my computer too. It might be of its age, but personally I'm not going to trust Maxtor again next time.

I hear Iomega makes some good drives; I've got my eye on an eGo 500GB portable with Firewire. Anybody use one of those before?

[Ilpav]

I also found this:

Trekstor 3.5" 500GB for $70



I am currently debating between 3.5" and 2.5".

[RoCkStaR]

I just got this one:

WD Passport
WD Passport Amazon

Its A Western Digital Passport, 250 GB and its under $100 US.

Its really neat, mobile and good value for money.

[_HighVoltage_]

If it is going to be a non-portable external drive (meaning that requires AC power) I suggest you invest in a brandname like Seagate/Maxtor/WD.
If you want a USB-powered, pocket-size drive - get whatever you find the cheapest. They all break at the slightest drop! I've already seen 2 WD Passports broken, from people dropping them. I know, you'll say that you'll be very careful with it, but trust me - it happens.

[biasasaja]

It depends what do you use it for. If you arent going to carry the HDD around, might aswell get the 3.5" as they are faster (7.2k-10k rpm) but bigger and required AC plug. On the other hand, if you want to carry your HDD around, get 2.5" but they are slow (5.4k - 7.2k rpm) and USB is not the fastest connection.

If you still want to get 2.5" get the eSATA enclosure.
Try typing "2.5 esata" for 2.5. But you must have a sata connection which i assume you have. its pretty common these days.

With the brands, I prefer Seagate then Western Digital. I'm currently using 500gb seagate sataII and its really good so far, no problems whatsoever. Last time, I used W.D. there were some overheating problem :S

Hope that helps

[Ilpav]

I'm kinda leaning toward the 2.5" over the 3.5" mainly because of the portability and I don't have to plug it into the wall.

My final decision will probably be the Seagate Maxtor OneTouch 4 Mini 160GB for $70.

I found this deal at Tiger Direct and I found the same thing at Best Buy for $160, so I think it's an amazing deal.

I think 160GB will be plenty enough because my PC's HDD is half of that (80 GB) and I had it for 4.5 years.

Should I consider anything else before I buy?

Thanks.

[db2450]

Originally Posted by Ilpav

I also found this:

Trekstor 3.5" 500GB for $70



I am currently debating between 3.5" and 2.5".

You have a link to that? I've got a friend looking for something around $70

[Ilpav]

Originally Posted by db2450

You have a link to that? I've got a friend looking for something around $70

Yeah, sure. It's from Future Shop (Canadian company).

I've done some searching on my PC and I found that my Top Gear videos take up more than half of my current HDD capacity (45.6 GB) and the rest are important system files and programs (I don't have any games installed other than LFS which is around 700 MB).

I could either get another internal hard drive, or just get the 2.5" 160 GB Maxtor and put my Top Gear videos on there.

If I get another internal HDD can I transfer all the files on my current one to my new one?

[biasasaja]

well you can, it will be alot faster with internal HDD ofcourse since you are transfering via pata or sata instead of USB.

Careful though, too big HDD can slow your computer down if you don't have a decent comp.

If you live in Aus, try www.msy.com.au <--- they have pretty cool deals.

[Ilpav]

Another question: If I get the Maxtor 2.5" and put my Top Gear videos on it, will I be able to view them, or any other file just by plugging the portable drive into my USB port? Or will I have to transfer them to my computer first and then be able to view them?

Basically, will it act as another HDD when I plug it in?

[db2450]

Originally Posted by Ilpav

Another question: If I get the Maxtor 2.5" and put my Top Gear videos on it, will I be able to view them, or any other file just by plugging the portable drive into my USB port? Or will I have to transfer them to my computer first and then be able to view them?

Basically, will it act as another HDD when I plug it in?

It should act as another drive, with somewhat lower read/write speeds, but for even HD content you chould be easily fine.
I have even done some gaming on an external drive for a bit. (Had Half-Life 2 installed on there for a bit to test how quickly my drive would read/write.)

[Blayde]

I'm looking for an external too, and i was looking at a 1TB WD MyBook Essential Edition, any one had any gripes with that?

[Ilpav]

Originally Posted by db2450

It should act as another drive, with somewhat lower read/write speeds, but for even HD content you chould be easily fine.
I have even done some gaming on an external drive for a bit. (Had Half-Life 2 installed on there for a bit to test how quickly my drive would read/write.)

Was that on a 3.5" drive that plugs into the wall, or a portable 2.5" like the Maxtor?