external hard drives

[jann1033]

could someone do me a giant favor and tell me which of these would be better, the top one has a rebate but the prices are about the same( $129, top has $50 rebate so $80 final cost, magibank is $109) or if you know of a better option? or if there is anything i should look for or avoid? it would seem like just get the cheapest but not sure if there is anything bad about it. the simple tech some reviews said was noisy
the only thing i don't see on either of these I would like is someplace to put in a memory card but maybe that is not a feature on any????? i basically want it to store my photos and husband's work doc. which presently is about 30 gb...(i might move some of his old docs to disk since he rarely needs them except for reference like once a yr.)
thanks

Western Digital External Hard Drive (WDG1U2500N)

WDC WDG1U2500N
• 250GB capacity, 7200RPM
• Elegant design

• 8MB data buffer
• USB 2.0 interface
Western Digital External Hard Drive (WDG1U2500N)

High quality: This 250GB drive is exceptionally fast, quiet and cool-running. The 7200RPM spindle, 8MB buffer and USB 2.0 interface work together to provide fast access to your data.

Easy to use: This drive is all about simplicity. Just plug it in, and you've got plenty of room to back-up and save your valuable data, music, photos and movies. This drive even turns itself on and off with your computer.

Smart design: The elegant case takes up less space on your desk, stacks horizontally and allows two or more drives to stand neatly together like book volumes on a shelf.

Google™ software: Use the included Google software to search your drive, manage your photos and simplify your Web searches.

System requirements: Windows® 98SE/ME/2000/XP or Mac® OS X v10.1 or later, available USB port
http://www.circuitcity.com/ssm/West...45402/catOid/-12976/rpem/ccd/productDetail.do

I/O Magic GigaBank™ 250GB External Hard Drive (I250HD35)

Ideal storage: This 7200RPM 250GB external hard drive is ideal for storing important files, backing up your computer, storing MP3s and digital photos or transferring files from one computer to another.

Elegant design: The sleek aluminum body comes with a vertical stand. Use it vertically to save extra space.

Extra security: I/O Magic's DataBank software is designed to protect your external hard drive. Easy to use, just drag and drop your data into “vaults.”

Easy connectivity: Plug the drive into your computer's USB port to start saving files quickly.

System requirements:
Windows ME/2000/XP
Available USB 2.0 port
http://www.circuitcity.com/ssm/I-O-...61718/catOid/-12976/rpem/ccd/productDetail.do
SimpleTech External Hard Drive (STI-USB235/250)

Ideal storage: This speedy 250GB 7200RPM external hard drive is ideal for any storage need—including digital music, movies and photographs.

Highly portable: The compact, space-saving design lets you place the drive wherever its needed. This drive is also plug-and-play and hot-swappable—perfect for convenient data transfers.

Fast data retrieval: The 8MB buffer lets you retrieve your most frequently-used files quickly.

Shock-protection: This tough little drive is designed to withstand shocks of up to 55Gs.

Easy backup: The included StorageSync Pro software offers one-click data backups. Both full and incremental backups are fast and easy every time.
http://www.circuitcity.com/ssm/Simp...34827/catOid/-12976/rpem/ccd/productDetail.do

 

[YEKCIM]

Jann,

Personally, I'd go for the WD, even if it were a little more money. I have two external's: one is a WD drive and enclosure, and the other is a WD drive in an INOi brand enclosure, and both work fine. AFAIK, all an external drive is, is an *internal* drive, enclosed in a housing that provides for power (AC adapter, usually), data (typically usb), and cooling (fan or heat sink). My home 'puter has the WD/INOi, which is 300GB and we use it primarily for storing digital photos, and it does fine. I don't think any external HDD's have a memory card slot. I just hook my D50 up to my computer via USB and transfer the images directly to the external.

Hope this helps.

~YEKCIM

 

[RitchG]

I agree with YEKCIM. The WD branded drive a probably worth a little extra. And, yes, an external HDD is just a normal drive screwed into a box, with connectors. I usually build my own using parts like these:
www newegg com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16817145133
www newegg com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16822144309
but with the rebate you have it's cheaper to buy the whole unit.

Some manufacturers do offer a card reader mounted inside the external enclosure, like this one:
www newegg com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16822144341
but I haven't tried one of these out.

HTH.
---Ritch

 

[handicap18]

I bought the hard drive case seperate from the hard drive. The case I have doubles as a 9 in 1 card reader. I currently have a 200GB hard drive in it (the case only takes IDE/ATA HD's). I thought the case was one that I didn't need a computer to transfer from the media card to the HD, but I was incorrect. There are some like that, but I've only seen them as 2.5" laptop hard drives.

I have another 250GB HD, but it needs formatting and I'm still having issues with the network card so I can't download the drivers for the HD yet.

The case was $29 and the HD (Seagate Baracuda 250GB) was $81. I got them both at buy.com.

If you want to know the exact case I got let me know and I'll look it up for you. Its pretty cool cuz I can use it on any of the computers just hooking it up to the USB and I can also now download pics to any of the computers (actually I just transfer them to the HD, but I use the case for both).

 

[manning]

Here's another thought. Get an external hard drive enclosure. Then get an internal Seagate hard drive. That way you will get a 5 year warranty.

 

[YEKCIM]

The case I have doubles as a 9 in 1 card reader.

Some manufacturers do offer a card reader mounted inside the external enclosure, like this one:
www newegg com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16822144341
but I haven't tried one of these out.

I stand corrected; I should have done my research before shooting off my big mouth (er...keyboard)

~YEKCIM

 

[Anewman]

Just go ahead and buy the WD, eventhough most off brands put name brand drives inside their units.

I am really thinking about going to pick up this Seagate from todays Frys ad.

 

[PaulD]

I have a SimpleTech external hard drive and am mostly satisfied with it. Twice it completely lost it's data and I had to reformat it to get it to work. But, I think this was because of some really bad software that I was trying to install that also messed up a bunch of other components on my system (stay away from "Backup My PC"). Once this software was removed from the equation I've had no problems. It is a little loud when it's transferring data but it's never bothered me. I don't know how it compares to other external hard drives.

I would suggest that if you happen to have a firewire (IEEE 1394) port you might want to spend a little extra money to get a drive that supports it. My SimpleTech supports both firewire and USB 2.0 and the performance is MUCH better using the firewire. I have a second drive that only works with USB and it is also much slower. I know that USB 2.0 is rated at 480mb and firewire is rated at only 400mb but firewire is much more efficient than USB and is able to sustain high transfer rates better.

 

[barrie]

I have an I/O Magic. It works great, no problems.

 

[MICKEY88]

keep in mind that the usb2 connection only acts as usb2 if you have a usb2 port on your pc.. I had to install a usb2 card to get the top speed from my WD 250 gig external drive...

 

[jann1033]

thanks everyone

 

[wdwpluto]

FYI if anyone is interested - Staples has the 250GB Western Digital on sale this week for $80 after rebate. I just placed my order and it'll be delivered Tuesday (w/ free shipping!)

 

[jann1033]

FYI if anyone is interested - Staples has the 250GB Western Digital on sale this week for $80 after rebate. I just placed my order and it'll be delivered Tuesday (w/ free shipping!)

that's the same one i got Sat at circuit city for the same price( last week's sale) and so far it's working great..plus it is only about the size of a thick paperback book so it fits on top of my tower

 

[wdwpluto]

that's the same one i got Sat at circuit city for the same price( last week's sale) and so far it's working great..plus it is only about the size of a thick paperback book so it fits on top of my tower

Good to hear! I was bummed that I missed last week's sale and was to find it again at that price.

 

[Groucho]

Here's another thought. Get an external hard drive enclosure. Then get an internal Seagate hard drive. That way you will get a 5 year warranty.

I agree 1000% (yes, 1000%) percent. I wouldn't buy a ready-built enclosure just for warranty reasons, plus it's a good idea to take the drive out once in a while and hook in directly into your PC to run a full scan on it using the manufacturer's diagnostics. (Especially if you're about to take it on a vacation or load it up with valuable data.)

Replacing a failed internal hard drive under warranty is pretty painless. I fear that replacing the entire external case will be a bit trickier. Especially if it's from an "off" brand.

Plus, of course, you'll save money. You can often find 160g hard drives for $40 in the Sunday ads. External enclosures can often be had for $20-30.

If you're intimidated by the thought of putting it together, don't be - it's extremely simple.

 

[jann1033]

another kind of related question...if we end up getting a new computer, is it possible for me to take my dvd burner ( only a few months old) out of the old one and put it in an enclosure of some sort and connect it to my new computer externally...can't really see buying 2 new dvd drives when i have one that's almost new but i am guessing installing it in the new computer would probably do something to the warranty...i don't need a second one often so i thought i wouldn't even have to attach it unless I needed it. is that possible? i saw some smaller cases yesterday at microcenter and i thought maybe we could even put in our present hard drive and use it for additional external storage since that isn't a yr old yet either. is that possible? does it have to somehow match the computer you are using?( guessing not since the external drive didn't) or is there some kind of software or something you need to run it?
thanks

 

[Groucho]

Yes, you certainly can transfer your DVD burner to your new machine, but it's probably not worth buying a case for it. Reason being, a new DVD burner barely costs any more than the external case!

If you're comfortable inside the PC, you can put the old one into your new PC itself, but if you're buying a pre-built PC, you'll probably have a hard time finding one WITHOUT a DVD burner inside.

Since you added this one, you should have done enough to be comfortable removing it from the old PC and installing it inside the new one? It shouldn't affect the warranty but that depends on the PC builder. Generally, that kind of thing is a pretty standard upgrade (just like increasing memory, etc) and shouldn't cause a problem.

But yes, you can definitely get a case that'll fit a DVD burner if you are so inclined. Look for one that'll hold a 5.25" drive. Or, you can just get a cable without a box - I have a ByteCC USB cable that will connect to 2.5" (laptop) and 3.5" (desktop) hard drives as well as DVD drives - but there's no enclosure, you just sit the bare drive out. It does come with a power cord to plug into the back of the drive. I wouldn't recommend running a hard drive with no case very often, but DVD drives should be no problem.

 

[jann1033]

Yes, you certainly can transfer your DVD burner to your new machine, but it's probably not worth buying a case for it. Reason being, a new DVD burner barely costs any more than the external case!

If you're comfortable inside the PC, you can put the old one into your new PC itself, but if you're buying a pre-built PC, you'll probably have a hard time finding one WITHOUT a DVD burner inside.

Since you added this one, you should have done enough to be comfortable removing it from the old PC and installing it inside the new one? It shouldn't affect the warranty but that depends on the PC builder. Generally, that kind of thing is a pretty standard upgrade (just like increasing memory, etc) and shouldn't cause a problem.

But yes, you can definitely get a case that'll fit a DVD burner if you are so inclined. Look for one that'll hold a 5.25" drive. Or, you can just get a cable without a box - I have a ByteCC USB cable that will connect to 2.5" (laptop) and 3.5" (desktop) hard drives as well as DVD drives - but there's no enclosure, you just sit the bare drive out. It does come with a power cord to plug into the back of the drive. I wouldn't recommend running a hard drive with no case very often, but DVD drives should be no problem.

thanks groucho although if it's that cheap for a dvd burner i may just move this whole computer upstairs to my craft room and make that my laboratory /craft room ( as in dr.frankenstein's laboratory )

 

[manning]

I was looking at the Dell sight and their 409.00 minus rebate includes a DVD burner.

The burners have replaced the old floppy. You'll have to go looking for a computer that doesn't have one.

 

[Lachesis00]

We have had nothing but problems with WD. We always try and go with Seagates.