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    Dedicated External HDD or Enclosure for USB 2.0

    Discussion in 'Hardware Components and Aftermarket Upgrades' started by HTWingNut, May 31, 2008.

  1. HTWingNut

    HTWingNut Potato

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    I'm considering some external storage for my home network. I have a PC that runs nearly 24/7 used for basic home computing tasks, and already acts like a print server and storage server. However, I want an external USB 2.0 drive for backing up my internal storage and maybe some direct writes from other PC's to this external storage.

    Is it better to get a dedicated external HDD or an enclosure and get my own HDD. And also which have the best bundled software? I want simple programmable backup software, plus the ability to just drag and drop files directly to the HDD without having to go through another program. What products do you recommend?

    I know about NAS, but those seem to be quite more expensive and since I basically have more or less a dedicated server, I really don't want another device on my system or have to pay the extra price, since the decent ones seem to be quite costly.

    Thanks.
     
    HTWingNut, May 31, 2008
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  2. Budding

    Budding Notebook Virtuoso

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    Dedicated external USB HDs are usually cheaper than if you went for enclosure+HD separately. It totally depends on whether or not you want to be able to easily upgrade the HD inside the enclosure.

    In terms of software, just use any backup application. You can select the USB HD as your backup destination, so that the application will backup to the external HD.
     
    Budding, May 31, 2008
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  3. The_Observer

    The_Observer 9262 is the best:)

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    Pricewise,both seems to be similar.So go for one with a better warranty and support.

    If you will plug it in for extended periods of time get something which will switch off when not used for a long time.Will help in longer life.

    There are many sync applications which can just copy updated files.
     
    The_Observer, May 31, 2008
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  4. InlawBiker

    InlawBiker Notebook Evangelist

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    I am already doing the same thing you want, backing up files to a 250gb USB2 drive. It was pretty cheap and is on the slow side, but so what. Speed isn't a concern with backups.

    It's a Western Digital product, and the one-touch software it came with is crappy. It can only back up a whole disk. Instead I wrote my own scripts to back up just the folders/files I want backed up. I also suggest Second Copy, it is a fantastic copy program.

    As to which is better... if you build your own or buy one assembled, they are the same thing. It's slightly cheaper to build your own, but I'm not sure the hassle is worth it.
     
    InlawBiker, May 31, 2008
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  5. HTWingNut

    HTWingNut Potato

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    HTWingNut, May 31, 2008
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  6. The_Observer

    The_Observer 9262 is the best:)

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    Well if you can find one with fan it would be much better.My 2cents.

    Edit:This seems that the drive is exposed all the time.May be the heat issues might not be there.Write a review after you have it :)
     
    The_Observer, May 31, 2008
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