External Hard Drives Buyer's Guide

[ronjor]

We assess 25 of the hottest external hard disk drives from Cavalry, Iomega, LaCie, Maxtor, Seagate, Western Digital, and more.{QUOTE-> The dark secret about hard drives is that no matter how much storage space you start with, you'll probably need more before very long.

It's a consequence of living in a digital age. Not only do we have data files containing our papers, letters, spreadsheets, and e-mails, but now we also store an interminable amount of music, pictures, and even video on our computers. And always -- always -- just when you thought you had everything you needed tucked neatly on your hard drive, up pops something new that you must also have and keep forever. <-QUOTE}Article (http://www.informationweek.com/news/storage/portable/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=207401334)

[ThunderZ]

Thanks for the article. Despite multiple hard drives on both towers the statement of how quickly they fill up is all to true. This gives me a great starting point for the long over due purchase of an external storage drive. Will also help keep the internal towers heat down by placing a BTU producer externally. :thumb:

[RAD]

Interesting article. I am using an external SATA enclosure with a SATA to eSATA converter panel. It seems like the most economical way to go. I can swap out an inexpensive internal style SATA drive of any size whenever I need to.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817145026

[jfd15]

i bought Seagate 500 gb external.....i wish i had bought something flat instead like the maxtor external because i bring my seagate in my backpack w/laptop and am always aworried about the little stand part breaking off....from what i can tell the maxtor is just a block, nothing to break off..

[jpcummins]

I am now ready to purchase an external drive and I am looking at no larger than a 250gb. I am looking at both Seagate and Maxtor but cannot decide between the two. Any suggestions or recommendations would be very much appreciated. Thanking you in advance for your replies.

John

[WSFuser]

Didnt Seagate buy Maxtor? Anyways go for Seagate.

[MikeNAS]

Buffalo Linkstation/Kurobox with Linux inside :D

[acr1965]

What about this deal?

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=3595494&CatId=2421

$99.99

Specifications

Capacity (GB): 500
Interface: USB 2.0
Spindle Speed (RPM): 7200
Buffer Memory: 16MB
Average Seek (msec): <8.9
Track-to-Track Seek Time (typical read, ms): 2.0
Data Transfer Rate on USB 2.0: Up to 480 Mb/sec
Temperature, Operating (°C): 5 to 35
Temperature, Nonoperating (°C): -40 to 65
Type: Retail

I plan on using it for back ups and to store an image. Or would someone suggest a different one?

[markymoo]

Thanks for the review. There is another option. Buy a internal SATA or IDE and then you have alot more choice on what seperate external caddy to buy and the type of connector. It works out about the same. It hard not to get away from alot of user's faulty, bad experience of Lacie drives.