The External Hard Drive

[Wandrille]

I've been looking into different external hard drives, and I do not know which one to pick. I have seen good and bad reviews for all such as dying after a month or the power chord is very loose. I wanted to know what is the best external hard drive for the money that supports USB2.0 and firewire and that is at least 250gb. My budget is no higher than $200. THis external hard drive will be used mainly for backing up multiple systems but i do not need to keep it on all the time only when needed
noise is not that much of a problem but preferably silent
weight is no problem
and having a power supply is no problem

[classicsoftware]

Build your own. Get a good case and a good drive and place the drive in the case. It should come with all of the cables you need.

[azzey]

I agree with Classic... if you built your own you will save money and you will be able to choose everything to be the way you want it.
The only exception would be if you happened to see a very good deal at an electronics chain.

It's more about the space to price ratio than anything.

[Paul Komski]

I find that 2.5" enclosures such as this (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16817334003) are just great because of their great portability. Such enclosures also come in low cost 3.5" forms. Loads to choose from (http://www.newegg.com/ProductSort/Subcategory.asp?Subcategory=92&name=External-Enclosures).

Then grab a HDD that meets your budget and other requirements and pop it inside.

[Sylvander]

The one I use [and like] came from http://www.vipower.com/

External Enclosures (http://en.vipower.com/products01.php?CID=122&PageID=119).

3 1/2 inch Full Metal (http://en.vipower.com/products01.php?CID=122&PageID=119#156) [actually has an outer plastic case which I like].

VP-9258T USB 2.0 to IDE (http://en.vipower.com/products01_01.php?ID=74).
This comprises a VP-9054V enclosure, and...
A VP-9208 USB 2.0 "Smart Cable", and...
A power adapter and cord.
Enclosure includes...
Rear on/off power switch.
Front fan and also an LED which glows green when on and blinks red around the edges when reading/writing.

[classicsoftware]

Depends on the use:

Size: If you are going to back up ocaasionally or carry the drive around with you, then a 2.5" case is the way to go. If you are going to run the drive 24-7 and have the backup occur unattended, a larger case that includes a fan is preferred.

Materials:If you are going to back up ocaasionally or carry the drive around with you, then a palstic case is the ok. If you are going to run the drive 24-7 and have the backup occur unattended, a aluminum case is preferred.

[Wandrille]

hmm paul komski, i looked at that enclosure you suggested and it seems that people have had some bad experience with it

[Suchy]

I got a 400G external samsung drive for 145 + 20 for shiping, which is not bad. Just check out Ebay.

Check this out:
http://cgi.ebay.com/EXTERNAL-USB-2-0-SATA-HARD-DRIVE-WESTERN-DIGITAL-500GB_W0QQitemZ250083052362QQihZ015QQcategoryZ4191 1QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

[Wandrille]

thanx for your advice but that only supports usb it looks like
and i prefer not to buy of ebay

[Wandrille]

also
i was researching and my question is i know a brand external hard drive costs a little more but they seem to have a longer warranty than just external enclosures and hard drives
is this true or have i just been looking at the wrong ones?

[Paul Komski]

All the big names make reputable hard drives. Having said that any make of hard drive can fail at any time but the big makers should all have information about the mean time before failure of their various models.

The enclosures are generally pretty equivalent in functionality so the design, size and extras are much more just a matter of personal preference. A cheap/flexible alternative is to have no enclosure and just invest in a USB to IDE connector (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B0007D664O/terabyteunlim-20?creative=327641&camp=14573&link_code=as1). Such converters can also be found that support SATA drives (http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/search/ref=pd_lpo_ix_dp_ip_us_uk_en?keywords=usb%20to%20i de&tag=lpo%5Fixdpipusuken-21&index=blended). These devices can really come into their own if one wants to manipulate Laptop Hard Drives on a Desktop.

[Suchy]

I got my 2 HD's from the guy that I posted the link. No porblems with them, plus the drives come with 3 years warrenty.

I also have one of those USD to IDE cablet. That thing is awsome, it saved me alot of cash (ex. Instead of buying an external DVD-RW drive for my laptop I just use the one from my PC)

[Wandrille]

ok
but like i stated i need to be able to connect this external drive to usb and firewire!!!
that model only supports usb but thank you for trying

[stepfinder]

Fantom 500GB USB 2.0 External Hard Drive only $88. I saw from dealstudio (http://www.dealstudio.com/viewtopic.php?t=26923) forum.