31 {{ upvoteCount | shortNum }}
31 {{ upvoteCount | shortNum }}

What external hard drive do you use & recommend?

by MaxReferrals
27 replies
Got appx 10 gb (regularly growing) to back up. Using my own
remote server now, but want to get an external hd

What do you use and like?

Know of anything that auto syncs/backs-up whenever
changes are made to folders I specify?

Thanks.
#drive #external #hard #recommend
  • Profile picture of the author Terry Crim
    Are you talking about an external HD locally hooked to your desktop / laptop computer?
    If so BestBuy has a sale on a 2TB external drive also office depot has a deal on 1TB drives. 119.00 = 1TB 230.00 = 2 TB

    If you go with 500GB or less you are looking in range of 60.00 to 80.00.

    EDIT: There are several one touch backup drives, the 230.00 2TB drive I picked up at BB is a one touch but I do not use that feature. What I do is backup manually and/or use a backup software that I can choose files, folders and even specific drives to backup on a schedule.




    - Terry
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[991343].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author Mike Shain
      I have a 500GB Maxtor500GB Maxtor for backup (not affiliate link). It does 1 touch backups and auto backups.

      We have 2 laptops and a desktop in a network. I have the Maxtor hooked to the desktop and turned on file sharing. I just created shortcuts on both laptops to the Maxtor which created a backup/storage system on a central network. This makes the Maxtor available 24/7 for any computer without having to unplug it and move it to another machine.

      I can't tell you how much time this saves - especially if you have to do a complete reinstall on one of your machines. Just hook the Maxtor up directly with the USB cable and you have lightening fast file transfers.

      We are not real big on storing music and videos so we didn't need the larger Maxtors (1TB or more).
      Signature

      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[991477].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author MaxReferrals
      Originally Posted by Terry Crim View Post

      Are you talking about an external HD locally hooked to your desktop / laptop computer?


      - Terry

      Yes, exactly what I need.
      Signature
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[991692].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Ron Douglas
    I'm using a pathetic little Segate 60GB. It's the only one I've ever used so I can't really compare it, but it works well for me. I'm going to eventually buy a new one with more space.
    Signature
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[991504].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Lloyd Buchinski
    I'm using a Western Digital passport elite that I really like. Usb plug in, no power supply required other than that, and it backs up everything automatically as soon as it is saved. It also has a sync feature that lets you keep the same info updated on as many computers as you want.

    I understand (but haven't checked out) that it also doesn't delete stuff when you delete it on the computer so you can recover a bad judgment or accidental delete.
    Signature

    Do something spectacular; be fulfilled. Then you can be your own hero. Prem Rawat

    The KimW WSO

    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[991725].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author new2ebiz
    I've used a Seagate and Maxtor hd. I would suggest sticking with a brand name. A friend of mine bought a cheapo brand and after moving all his family photos over to it, it died. The company said they could not help him.

    And I also use an online company called Carbonite for when I'm on the road and in case something really strange were to happen in my office, like both my external drives die at the same time, the house burns down, someone steals them, the other half were to 'accidently' delete my files, etc.. It doesn't cost much at all, a yearly fee unless they changed.
    Signature

    Work Smarter http://www.new2outsourcing.com

    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[991738].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author pcpupil
    Seagate here.I dont remember the storage.I bought it at walmart or Circuit City. for like $69.00,
    Uses a seperate power supply,and USB connection.Everythings pretty much manual.
    Had it for about 2 yrs now with never any problems.Im using vista.
    Signature
    I will be your Digital Assistance for cheap.PM me.
    I can help relieve your work load.Pm me
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[991800].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Goatboy
    I bought a NexStar 3 enclosure and a separate hard drive and built my own. If I decide the drive is too small, I can always replace it with a larger one. If you are working with a desktop and only need to store and extra 10 gb or so, you might consider a usb flash drive, I'm regularly seeing them advertised in the 30 gb range. These little drives are slower than a conventional drive, but so portable you can carry them on a lanyard around your neck.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[991801].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author TheNightOwl
    I agree with new2ebiz wholeheartedly.

    I only use Seagate. They've built a solid reputation for reliable external drives from what I could tell when I went a-researching for my first one.

    You get what you pay for in most cases.

    TheNightOwl
    Signature
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[992040].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Soflyy
    Seagate 500gb
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[992043].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Eric Graudins
    320gb Western Digital Passport with Acronis backup software.
    Beautiful.
    Signature

    The biggest benefit of the internet is that almost everything can be automated.
    The biggest curse of the internet is that almost everything can be automated.



    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[992251].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Daredevil Marketing
    Western Digitals have always helped up well for me *knocks on wood*.

    Currently I use three 320g Western Digital "My Passport" drives - they're super tiny (only a little longer than my wallet) and very sturdy.

    Newegg.com - Western Digital My Passport Essential WDME3200TN 320GB USB 2.0 Black External Hard Drive - External Hard Drives

    -DareDevil
    Signature
    DareDevil Marketing
    Fearless Marketing Strategies
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[992307].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Jason Johns
    I have an external enclosure with a pair of mirrored 500Gb drives in. This gives me a degree of security of my data. I store all of my data on here and nothing on my local computer.

    Later in the year I'm planning on upgrading to a Network Attached Storage device using RAID 5 and probably 2 to 4 TB. I do a lot of video work and each project is between 1GB and 2GB so I'm rapidly filling up drives

    I wouldn't go for anything less than a RAID enclosure for security of data.

    I'm planning on buying a 64GB USB pen for transporting data at some stage. Then I should have everything I need.

    Cheers

    Jason
    Signature
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[992350].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author reynic
    Any name brand will do. More important is the software features like imaging your hard drive for quick restore on another new drive or quick restore after formatting your failed drive. The sync feature is also nice.

    Good luck,
    Nick
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[1073026].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Steadyon
    We use products by Maxtor. Never had a problem.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[1073223].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author John M Kane
    I like Seagate and Maxtor second
    A FreeAgent unit has worked flawless for some time.
    I bought an empty enclosure and can fill it with the drive I find on sale at NewEgg

    I also have a slick 'Hot Swap Rack' from Kingwin that lets you swap a HDD into your main PC case in seconds. Cost something like $15-20.
    I've way too many low cap HDDs I need to transfer to bigger units.

    John
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[1073840].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author flaminjo
    i have beee using WD External Hard Drives. Seagate and Max are also good for me WD is the best
    Signature
    ArcadeZeal: Play free Arcade Games
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[1402544].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author reapr
    WD book here it slows my system down considerably. Recently it appeared to die. I looked into other options and started thinking what if my computer got stolen along with the backup drive or a fire took both!
    Right now I am trying the carbonite backup trial and I have seen no significant slowdowns on my system. I like the idea it is backed up off iste but not so sure I ma comfortable storing my data out of physical reach. Thoughts anyone!
    I run vista with 3GB mem.
    Signature
    Free Niche Keywords and Niche Ideas!
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[1410196].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author The Artful Surfer
    WD MyBook 1TB from BestBuy. I think it was like $109? Very fast, no nonsense. I have two.
    Signature
    Build Unlimited One Way Links From PR 2-5 websites.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[1415442].message }}

Trending Topics