External hard drive - help!`

Trookle

My husband has asked for an external hard drive for Christmas which is no problem, however I am totally clueless about these things and don't know good brands etc, he has told me that he would like:
USB powered
at least 1tb
it shouldn't be too expensive

not much help really, can anyone advise me of a decent hard drive (good deals appreciated too!!!!)

thanks!

busenbust

http://go.iomega.com/en/products/external-hard-drive-desktop/prestige-amp-professional-desktop-series/prestige-esata/?partner=4735

^^One of the best imo :cool:

John_Gray

I'm afraid the question falls at the first hurdle, since a 1 TB drive takes too much current to be powered even from a pair of independent USB sockets. You'd probably have go down to about 500 GB or lower to get a hard drive which can be USB-powered...

If he means USB-connected, with a separate mains power supply to drive it, then there are hundreds of drives of 1, 1.5 and 2 TB capacity available. For example, here's a search for "external hard drive", and you could reduce the number of hits by adding 1tb or 1.5tb or 2 tb to the search string...

macman

Next fundamental question-is he looking for a portable hard drive (usually USB powered) or a desktop hard drive (usually mains powered)? Two very different things.

[Deleted User]

As for brands, I'd go for Western Digital

Aiadi

Cheap, cheerful, reliable, good reviews and portable (USB-powered):

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Samsung-S2-Portable-Drive--Midnight/dp/B003UT2QTQ/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1288558031&sr=8-3

JasX

John_Gray wrote: »

since a 1 TB drive takes too much current to be powered even from a pair of independent USB sockets. You'd probably have go down to about 500 GB or lower to get a hard drive which can be USB-powered...

And i'm afraid you're about 1-2 years out of date there, OP wants something like this

http://www.ebuyer.com/product/172937

basically look for a 2.5" drive and that'll be USB powered (any 3.5" drive needs a mains connection).

you can go up to 1.5 or 2GB in a 2.5" drive these days, think the one the other guy found was a little cheaper

Spank

How new is his computer? does it have a USB3 port?

dezontk

I've got 1tb models of Freecom, Lacie and Verbatim. Never had any problems, they are desktop drives tho, so require external power. I do also have several Western Digital Passport drives, they are totally portable and self powered. Also very good build quality. I would suggest a passport drive, but they are expensive compared to others.

If you reckon your husband won't mind having the thing plugged in (Maybe people are looking into the fact you said USB powered a bit too much) then something like this will suffice:

Search ebay for "1000GB 1TB USB External Hard Drive with Builtin Backup" <-- As I am unable to post links


Remember, all of these different brands tend to have a Seagate or Hitachi hard drive inside, so really your only paying for a different caddy (housing). That above drive will do the job fine, and has a good price on it. (First result I saw on ebay basically).

If you want a drive thats smaller, and doesn't require a mains connection ALSO. Then read Aiads post.

Millionaire

Aiadi wrote: »

Cheap, cheerful, reliable, good reviews and portable (USB-powered):

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Samsung-S2-Portable-Drive--Midnight/dp/B003UT2QTQ/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1288558031&sr=8-3

I'd second this, have the 500gb version. Very nice drive.

Head_The_Ball

I bought a brand new and unused Freecom 1tb drive on ebay recently for about £55 and I have no problems powering it from my laptop. You would be lucky to get similar at such a low price but there are plenty available for not that much more.