External Hard Drive Suggestion

mfmbcpman · 12-15-2006, 12:06 AM

I'm looking for an external hard drive, max $125. Recommendations?

vespoli · 12-15-2006, 12:14 AM

Take a look on newegg for a nice big 3.5 inch drive and then get yourself an enclosure for it.

Blake · 12-15-2006, 12:15 AM

Thats hard to say, it really just depends on how big you want. This was a good find, under $100 for a 320gb internal 3.5" hard drive. You can pick up an external enclosure for about $20-$30 and have yourself quite a bit of backup space. Doing it yourself is very easy, and saves you quite a bit of money. There is actually a guide on putting this setup together located here.

Zellio · 12-15-2006, 12:35 AM

I'd say this is better, LOL

http://shop1.outpost.com/product/5080555

Esp. since it's sata.

hollownail · 12-15-2006, 01:51 AM

Do you want a small unit to take with you? Or a larger unit?

I pulled out the 60gb 7200 rpm drive from my old laptop and threw it in this:
here
Works FAST, especially over FW 400. It can power the drive over FW (I don't think dual USB2 can power a 7200 rpm drive).
But yeah, good option if you need something small. It's about 2 inches taller than a pack of cigarettes.

For 3.5" drives, there are many options. Really, it's more important that you get a quality drive inside it. Are you looking to build your own or buy a unit that has the HDD already inside it? It won't matter much if it's SATA or IDE, but try to get a 7200rpm drive.

Zellio · 12-15-2006, 02:14 AM

sata will matter for vista. Vista is optimized for sata.

I'd get the sata 2 honestly.

andrew.brandon · 12-15-2006, 04:21 AM

yeah, you really need to decide if you want a 2.5" or 3.5" drive. I picked up an external 320GB WD 3.5" for $140 off newegg back in the summer. they are probibly in your price range now. it was USB though. wish I had spent the extra few dollars and gotten firewire instead.

mfmbcpman · 12-15-2006, 03:46 PM

I want a permanent one for my desk. It's probably going to be 3.5" buy hard drive then enclosure because it looks like the pricing is better. I like the looks of the Western Digital My Books though but they're expensive.

This looks like what I'm going with:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16822136003

Enclosure: Any better ideas?
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817716016

andrew.brandon · 12-16-2006, 04:34 PM

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16822136023

same price and you don't have to fool with putting it together. BTW thats the exact same one I have. lets just say its practically "military standard" tough. been through quite a lot and still holding together.

lixuelai · 12-16-2006, 04:39 PM

Find a cheap large capacity pata drive and an enclosure for it. For 250gb-320gb it can be done for around $50. Sata is a waste on an external and sata enclosures commands a premium.