Benr98 40 Posted October 17, 2008 Can someone send me in the right direction for brand and size to start looking for one please? Thanks Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
nonabelle 5 Posted October 17, 2008 250-500 gb sweetie. western digital and seagate have good ones. also iomega. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jay2703 704 Posted October 17, 2008 I just bought a Western Digital My Passport Essential 320 GB hard drive. $119 at Best Buy. Great deal. Very small too. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest sciondrgn Posted October 17, 2008 As posted on the other site.. buy.com has the 500gb for 89.99 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BannerJohn 1,324 Posted October 17, 2008 If you have an Office depot nearby, watch the Sunday ads. They usually have grea deals on external HDs.I think my 320gb was $79 or maybe even $69. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jay2703 704 Posted October 17, 2008 There are 2 different size drives though. You want the smaller one if you plan on taking it with you. One is basically a full size computer drive in an enclosure, the other is a laptop size hard drive. The one I have will fit in a shirt pocket. If you don't mind the full size, costco has 1TB for just over $100. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
FlawlessVinyl 0 Posted October 17, 2008 Go with the western digital ones. They are black with a blue led in the front. They are really nice, and cheap too if I remember correctly. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Benr98 40 Posted October 17, 2008 Thanks for the feedback. I have been wanting one for close to a year and before something 'bad' happens..I want to get my graphics and files as protected as I can. THANKS AGAIN Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mr Peabody 0 Posted October 17, 2008 I originally had a Western Digital and it failed on me, big time. I currently have a Mybookworld, 1 TB drive. The MoNEt software connects my laptop and desktop alone with my printers. Nothing but a good experience with this drive & software. Peabody Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jay2703 704 Posted October 17, 2008 I also have a SimpleTech Signature Mini that I got at Costco. 250 GB for $79 and came with really cool backup software. I tell it what folders to back up and when I plug it in it does it automatically. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
haumana 1,220 Posted October 17, 2008 It really depends on personal preferences. Like Jay said, there are two different sizes. 2.5" (notebook size) 3.5" (standard workstation size) At the moment, the 3.5" have a much higher capacity (up to 1T ~ more or less 1,000 Gigs), but it does require a power source. the 2.5" drives are up to 320G, and are usually USB powered, however some do require a power "boost," but that is something that can provided by another USB port. As far as brands, that too is another personal preferences. I like LaCie, but they tend to be on the more expensive side. I personally have a 500G LaCie, (3) 320G Maxtor Mini-Touch, a NetGear NAS (dual 500G, mirrored), and several other externals that I clam-shelled on my own. If you're going to need the portability, than I would advice the 2.5" drives. If it'll just be sitting at a desk and really won't go anywhere, than go with a 3.5" and you can get much more capacity. Decision, decisions. Good luck! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jay2703 704 Posted October 17, 2008 I think also look at the software that comes with them. (most have backup software included) Of the two drives that I have the software that came with the SimpleTech seems easier top use. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
haumana 1,220 Posted October 17, 2008 I think also look at the software that comes with them. (most have backup software included) Of the two drives that I have the software that came with the SimpleTech seems easier top use. True that. If you're going to use the external for disaster recovery, than the manufacturers pre-installed software will definitely make or break it. I've never used any of my externals for disaster recovery, only data storage and data back-up. Not to say that you have to rely on the software on the hard drive, there are 3rd party manufacturers that make some great disaster recovery software (i.e. Acronis, Norton, etc.). Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TruckDriver 0 Posted October 18, 2008 Don't forget to back them up to a CD/DVD as well! Put it in a case, and store it somewhere. Hard drives do fail, but unless you do some serious damage to a CD, it will always be there! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
vjor 1 Posted October 18, 2008 What ever you get, get a case with a cooling fan. Hard drives get hot and a cooling fan will help a lots. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
haumana 1,220 Posted October 19, 2008 Don't forget to back them up to a CD/DVD as well! Put it in a case, and store it somewhere. Hard drives do fail, but unless you do some serious damage to a CD, it will always be there! optical media has a shelf life too though ... even the best media out there. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TruckDriver 0 Posted October 19, 2008 Yes, you are correct. But I do have 20 year old CD's that still work, and I doubt there are many 20 year old hard drives out there that work! PS - My first CD - The Fat Boys!!! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BannerJohn 1,324 Posted October 19, 2008 check your local ad. Both office Depot and Office Max have 500gb external for $89. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
