External USB Hard Drive

[Alek Trishan]

I'm looking for an external HD (500GB-1TB) because the one I'm using now
for backups is getting a little long in the tooth and I want to replace
it before it dies on me.

Do you have any specific suggestions, manufacturers, specific drives,
whatever.

Thanks.

 

[Paul]

I'm looking for an external HD (500GB-1TB) because the one I'm using now
for backups is getting a little long in the tooth and I want to replace
it before it dies on me.

Do you have any specific suggestions, manufacturers, specific drives,
whatever.

Thanks.

Actually, picking a good one of those is hard work. And that's partially,
because the customer review system on Newegg is screwed up. And the reviews
on Amazon, while they're still in working shape, it's harder to list all
the items and compare them.

Expect to take a couple hours, to narrow down the field.

I like to build my own enclosures, and put a disk in them. Or,
purchase a "USB dock" and put a drive in that. There are more
products out there, than just a disk already in an enclosure.
The dock idea is nice, as long as you have a safe place to store
the bare hard drive mechanisms when not using them. I keep my
bare drives in antistatic bags, and sandwich them with layers
of antistatic bubble wrap. As I have more bare drives, than
places to put them. A perfect use, for a USB dock.

Paul

 

[larrymoencurly]

If you buy an external hard disk, just get whatever is
cheap. FatWallet.com and SlickDeals.net often have news
of hard disk sales, usually from TigerDirect.com or
NewEgg.com, but apparently Target is now closing out
2TB USB 3.0 Seagates from their stores for either $63 or
$78.

OTOH if you buy an external drive enclosure or a drive
dock, be sure its AC power adapter is safety rated by
either UL, CSA, or TUV because a noncertified AC adapter
can be real junk that lacks protection circuitry, such
to prevent excessive voltage from getting to the disk
drive. Sometimes safety certifications are faked,
especially if they have no registration numbers next
to the markings.