need information on external hard drives

[Skidder]

Just like the title says... I need to consolidate files from 3 computers and I figured this would be the easiest way. I really don't know anything about them, I've never even ever used one. I'm only semi-computer illiterate so jeep the jargon to a minimum... and tell me things like how much I should spend? what to look for and where to buy?

All and any information is greatly appreciated. Thanks.

[WinterKnoll]

Basically: If you don't know what you're looking for, all you really need is a USB external hard drive, one that's a good brand and will be reliable, and one that won't be too expensive. I have been using Seagates for a very long time and wouldn't use any other hard drive, so I would recommend those. How much you should spend and what you get depends on just how much data you intend to back up. Another note is stick to a 7200RPM hard drive, 5400RPM drives are slow and annoying.

[2mprzya]

to be honest, brand name isn't necessary anymore. most of them are all made in the same plant, just labeled different. you can get one for more than enough memory than you'll need, for dirt cheap. i have one from western digital that i love.

i would recommend one that plugs in as its going to be faster.

check out... http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=8475731&st=external+harddrive&lp=30&type=product&cp=1&id=1185268652010


its a great deal this week, $50 buck off.


or you could go with this... http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=8295196&st=external+harddrive&lp=25&type=product&cp=1&id=1172277308863

[jonny-rockets]

i'll vouch for seagate too. even though the drives are very similar on the insides, seagate stands behind their drives very well.

if it fails within 5 years they usually replace for free.

this one isn't seagate, but i got my parents one very similar to this a while back and its held up great.

http://ak.buy.com/db_assets/prod_lrg_images/260/205714260.jpg

http://www.buy.com/retail/product.asp?sku=205714260

$75 for a 500gig after $25 MIR. decent deal.

[method]

I have a WD MyBook 500gb, I love it, run it over firewire,

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/318MF18ZJAL._SL500_AA280_.jpg

[Skidder]

http://www.buy.com/retail/product.asp?sku=205714260

$75 for a 500gig after $25 MIR. decent deal.

Thats exactly why I started this little thread... theres so many no name cheap hard drives. If they have the same features and reliability I'm going to go with this one and save some money.

Thanks!

[rogerdugans]

I use all kinds of crap and ancient junk most of the time, but I have piles of computer parts laying around, lol.

I personally tend to suggest two things when I am dealing with folks who are less into computers as a hobby in and of themselves:
stick with major brands
spend a bit more and buy from a local "brick and mortar" store.

This advice does mean a bit more money is spent, but it reduces worries and difficulties in the event there are any problems.

Seagate, Western Digital and Maxtor are all fairly big, common names and fairly reliable.

I did pick up a Western Digital MyBook 500gb a while back, when I saw it on sale for $100, :D
No problems at all and I do use it fairly hard some times.

[method]

I use all kinds of crap and ancient junk most of the time, but I have piles of computer parts laying around, lol.

I personally tend to suggest two things when I am dealing with folks who are less into computers as a hobby in and of themselves:
stick with major brands
spend a bit more and buy from a local "brick and mortar" store.

This advice does mean a bit more money is spent, but it reduces worries and difficulties in the event there are any problems.

Seagate, Western Digital and Maxtor are all fairly big, common names and fairly reliable.

I did pick up a Western Digital MyBook 500gb a while back, when I saw it on sale for $100, :D
No problems at all and I do use it fairly hard some times.

I use it on a fairly regular basis as well, and it has held up well over a year now. I use it for music storage, photo storage, photoshop scratch disk, and final cut scratch (as well as final video storage) its plenty fast and stable for handling the demands of a scratch.

[banned4life]

you are talking about cheap no name hard drive enclosures, not no name drives. if you open those no name enclosures, they usually are running a samsung, maxtor, WD, or seagate drive.

In the end, you could save yourself all that money and just make a cross over cable and dump it all onto your main computer.

http://www.duxcw.com/digest/Howto/network/cable/cable5.htm

+1 for seagate. I have gone through tons of WD, IBM, and maxtor (now owned by seagate) drives. seagate has been strong for me.

[banned4life]

I have a WD MyBook 500gb, I love it, run it over firewire,



I have an extra 400gb MyBook kicking around if you want it for 65$.

[method]

I have an extra 400gb MyBook kicking around if you want it for 65$.

What model?

[Skidder]

I have an extra 400gb MyBook kicking around if you want it for 65$.

My girlfriend was talking about buying one for me... if she doesn't I'll take you up on that offer.

[jonny-rockets]

eb50 with a killer deal.

i would go for that for sure!

[method]

I'll take it depending on the model.

[rogerdugans]

$65 for 400gb is a pretty good deal.
And it comes with an external enclosure too. ;)

[banned4life]

I'll take it depending on the model.

http://www.amazon.com/400GB-Book-Essential-External-USB2-0/dp/B000H3IGU6

[method]

http://www.amazon.com/400GB-Book-Essential-External-USB2-0/dp/B000H3IGU6

Meh, if it had been the pro version or newer I'd snag it from you. Mybooks are great though!