Backing up files

I need something to back up myfiles/folders.

I thought about getting a portable HD but I'm worried that my laptop won't have the power via the USB to support it. Also, it seems that portable HDs are slower than external HDs (5400 vs. 7200rpm). The information is data that I want to encrypt once it's one another HD. So, it an external HD my only option?
I need 1 TB.

 

Impossible to know without your exact laptop specs. Some laptops have a second drive bay, others do not.

 

OK, so I'm a bit confused about external HDs.

I know that I want a 1 TB USB 3.0 external HD. My confusion lies with two issues:

1) Difference between 5400 and 7200 RPMs.
It seems that most external HDs have only 5400 RPM.

2) I can't decide on portable vs a desktop external HD. I guess I'd have to get a portable one but how do I know if my USB port has enough power to power the HD?

I should mention that on this external, I'll want to access music and video files directly from that drive. From everything I've read in the last 24 hours, it seems as though a traditional external hard drive would be preferred.

 

1) Difference between 5400 vs 7200 is seek time. Its not a massive difference in terms of overall speeds.

2) All the newer portable externals (2.5" notebook drives inside) are energy efficient and will run on a single USB port.

If you crack an external HD open you will find 2 things inside, a regular hard drive and a SATA to USB converter. Thats all it basically is.

You can build a 7200rpm portable external if you wanted too, you just need to buy a SATA hard drive and an enclosure. A lot of people go through with this method instead of buying a pre-built one.

 

Note that 3.5 inch external HDDs also require external power while 2.5 inch external HDDs do not need (they draw power from USB) most of the time.

 

As an incentive to per-built external HDDs, consider that some units come with preinstalled software that makes all your backup procedures automatic (after initial set-up, of course) and in some instances, a sturdier case.

As for speed, 7200 RPM is the standard as 5400 RPM is now obsolete. Get this drive only if prices are ridiculously low, and it has lots of storage.

I made my own backup HDD when I updated my computer's original slow 5400 RPM HDD. I purchased the aftermarket case and relocated it to backup duty.

 

Same, I prefer making my own as the warranty is usually better and the software will not get in my way (I prefer to use them as giant thumbdrives)

 

I'm going to be connecting this mostly to a desktop though, not a laptop. Also, I keep hearing that 2.5" is good if you're simply backing stuff up. I would also want to access music and videos from that drive.

I know what I don't want:

Seagate
WD my passport essential

Idk about 5400 being obsolete. There's not one external HD that WD sells that is 7200 RPM and USB 3.0.

 

For your situation, you can get a USB 3.0 enclosure and a 7200 RPM HDD; that was what I did.

And the size difference does not determine how good it can back up your stuff; it only determines the power required, portability and price.

 

Thanks for the information. I was reading around and do you use any specific enclosure because the 7200 runs hotter than the 5400.

 

Not really; in Singapore, I rarely see (cheaper) generic USB 3.0 enclosure compared to USB 2.0. Had to pay quite a fair bit for it.

Am using a Hotway Probox by the way; not too bad for my usage (Turn it on for a while, get the files to/from the HDD, shut it down)