Looking for a Portable HDD... any suggestions?

OK

I own a Lenovo T400 Thinkpad, and want to buy a 320gb portable HDD, something that can fit in my pocket. I'd like to try to keep the price somewhere in the neighborhood of $100. Right now I'm looking at the Western Digital 320 Passport Elite (Black friday sale price at Costco is about $90), and THIS Iomega. Anyone have any thoughts or suggestions?

 

If you buy the hard drive and the case enclosure separately, you'll probably save $20-$30.
http://cgi.ebay.com/320GB-SATA-WESTERN-DIGITAL-2-5-LAPTOP-HARD-DRIVE-NEW_W0QQitemZ330287251677QQcmdZViewItemQQptZPCC_Drives_Storage_Internal?hash=item330287251677&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1234|66%3A2|65%3A12|39%3A1|240%3A1318
http://cgi.ebay.com/USB-2-0-2-5-HARD-DRIVE-SATA-EXTERNAL-CASE-ENCLOSURE-NEW_W0QQitemZ180302938214QQcmdZViewItemQQptZPCC_Drives_Storage_Internal?hash=item180302938214&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1234|66%3A2|65%3A12|39%3A1|240%3A1308

 

I want something a bit more sturdy. I don't want to be afriad of when it drops a foot or two.

 

You should be afraid of dropping a hard disk !, you can't just toss it around like a USB memory stick. If you are very concerned about this then take a look at WD Passport (supposed to have better shock resistance), but frankly I don’t think those more expensive so called “shock proof” enclosures will give any significant protection over a $10 case.

 

If you are in the habit of dropping your HD's I am positive you should give SSD's a look...

If anything, an aftermarket enclosure might be a bit MORE sturdy then the plastic and few aluminum enclosures on the market for pre-built external HD's.

Look for a nice aluminum external enclosure in my opinion and stick whatever 2.5" you want in there..

 

Freecom's Toughdrive Pros are rated to take a drop or two. They also have a captive USB cable, which is more useful than not (the limited length of the rubber 'cable' can sometimes get in the way, but this is rare).

 

I was looking at the Iomega eGo ones.

 

To the original poster, I would buy that Western Digital drive, and match it with one of the following external enclosures:

Vizo Shuttle SHE-260ST External HDD Enclosure
Silverstone TS01B External HDD Enclosure
Eagle Tech Consus L-Series External HDD Enclosure

I have reviewed many 2.5" external HDD enclosures, and these three are the ones that I reccomend, not only because they present a terrific price point (other than the Silverstone model) and value, but also because they are unbeleivable well made and very robust/strudy.

 

can't go wrong with the wd passport...

 

Would a 7200 rpm HDD work on usb power, or sould an ac adapter be needed?

 

good question, I'm wondering the same Tallgeese.