Considering buying an external hard-drive, under $100, with at least 250GB

  • Thread starter Delirious
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Delirious

Delirious

Meh
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Metroider17
I don't remember making a thread concerning this but if I did please lock this (did a search too)

I am looking for a RELIABLE brand/type, under $100, at least 250GB.

I'm sure I could get more space for that amount of money, but I'd rather have the reliability.

Any particular suggestions? :)
 
You're really cheap...


Make the strenous effort to put 20 bucks more and get something half-way decent instead.
 
What kind of connection do you need? Firewire 400/800, USB2, eSATA?

I like this drive for its slim design, but I dunno how easy it would be to find a cheap enclosure, much less mount it.
 
I would get the first one that you mentioned (the $150 one) Because of the eSATA

But if you don't want or don't use eSATA, then go for the cheaper one
 
Delirious?
Uh...? How much stuff have you burned and stored ALL together, like an estimate filesize of EVERYTHING you've ever gotten :P
Click to expand...


just counting music, around 1-1.5 Tbs.... music+movies, around 2 Tbs and EVERYTHING, about 3 Tbs, but that mostly because design psds are freakin heavy.
 
Delirious?
eSATA...does that have any computer requirements to utilize?

Also what is special about eSATA
Click to expand...

eSATA is pretty much exactly the same as SATA except it's external devices. Basically, it's just a type of connection like USB. But it's faster and better. You'll need an eSATA hole to be able to use it though. Something like this. or this.
 
Casio you are extremely helpful, thanks definitely for that tidbit :P

Ok, so I hook one of those up...where does it plug into my computer? (Havn't bought anything yet, want to make sure it'll work)

My power supply I bought a while ago says it's SATA ready.

Also I just found the two SATA input thingies on my mobo, SATA 1 and SATA 2 (one black and one white)
 
My assumption is (I'm yet to have hands-on-experience with eSATA), that PCI cards like these are good if you don't have any SATA ports left on your motherboard (The white and black thingys on your motherboard). Although looking at some reviews the cheap ones aren't crash-hot so it might be wise to steer clear. If you do decide to get one you'll obviously need a spare PCI slot to put the card in.

Probably more wise if you're not using your SATA holes at the moment is the second link I posted. They appear to just connect from the Motherboard ports to a bracket that's easy to install. Although, it will only support 'hotswapping' (That is taking the HD in and out while turned on, like a Flashdrive) if your motherboard supports it natively, which is hard to tell unless you know the make of your motherboard. But at $3.19 it's not going to kill you if it doesn't work I guess.

Another thing to consider is buying a firewire PCI card, if your computer doesn't already have firewire. It's better than USB2, and has less problems than low-cost eSATA cards appears to have at the moment. Another advantage is you might not have to use a powercable, depending on the drive, whereas with eSATA you will have to plug into a powerpoint. Though I don't think you'll find a 350GB Firewire HD in your price range.

If you go down the eSATA route, this doesn't look like a bad buy. But remember if you get a purely eSATA drive, you won't be able to just unplug it and take it around to whereever, as it most likely won't have a eSATA port. So personally I'd probably for out the extra 50$ for the 500GB WD, and buy the $3 eSATA bracket for home use.
 

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