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    External harddrive - What is best?

    Discussion in 'Hardware Components and Aftermarket Upgrades' started by m394byt3, Nov 13, 2006.

  1. m394byt3

    m394byt3 Notebook Evangelist

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    I have a Lacie 250GB external USB hd, I am totally happy with it. I am looking to buy another external harddrive.

    My options:

    Buy another

    (A) USB hd

    OR

    (B) buy normal IDE/SATA hd plus enclosure.

    B is cheaper, so it's a better buy right? What is the REAL pros and cons of both A and B.

    Your opinions would be appreciated!
     
    m394byt3, Nov 13, 2006
    #1
  2. Leshii

    Leshii Notebook Evangelist

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    I'd say B is much better, because:
    1. You can pick any brand and capacity HD you want
    2. You can pick an enclosure that you love - both looks and functionality (aluminium built, firewire, auto shutoff, etc)
    3. It is usually cheaper
    4. The warranty on the IDE/SATA HD is usually longer than on external HD's (eg. 5yr warranty from Seagate vs 1-3yrs for external HD)
    5. If the need be, you can take out the HD from the enclosure at a later time and put in another one.

    The only "con" that there is, is that you have to spend 10-15 min assembling the enclosure, but that's nothing. Besides some might actually put this on the "pros" list because this will let them find out exactly what's inside the enclosure.
     
    Leshii, Nov 13, 2006
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  3. bgeiger

    bgeiger Notebook Enthusiast

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    If you go with "B", you still have to hook it up somehow. USB is most likely your only choice, so the drive speed is irrelevant because it is limited by the USB throughput speed. Buy the cheapest USB drive you an find...
     
    bgeiger, Nov 13, 2006
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  4. Iter

    Iter Notebook Evangelist

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    Another option is to buy a internal hard drive and 3rd party external enclosure box. You can set it up yourself, the performance will not have a big difference with major brand name.
     
    Iter, Nov 13, 2006
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  5. drumfu

    drumfu super modfu

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    B.

    because you can swap HDs out or even a DVD drive. an external enclosure is very handy to have around when troublshooting or if you have hardware problems.
     
    drumfu, Nov 13, 2006
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  6. lbjazz

    lbjazz Notebook Consultant

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    B.
    And you could go crazy and get an enclosure with e-sata and get an e-sata pcmcia or expresscard. Most of the enclosures with e-sata will also have usb or firewire so you're compatible with any computer, but with the e-sata it's screaming fast.
     
    lbjazz, Nov 13, 2006
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  7. shinji257

    shinji257 Notebook Deity

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    Definately B. I did that here and have not regreted it.
     
    shinji257, Nov 14, 2006
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  8. Nicolas41390

    Nicolas41390 Notebook Consultant

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    I have both running on my machine right now, I have a Seagate 750gb Firewire drive and an 250gb home build rig. I like the 750gb because it is easy to use, but I really like standard drive because I have Windows XP on it and every now and then place it in my desktop to do things with it. I would say B like everyone else. If you really want to get something easy, get the external, but if you want to be able to upgrade later, or use the drive for something else, get the enclosure and a seperate drive.
     
    Nicolas41390, Nov 14, 2006
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  9. stamar

    stamar Notebook Prophet

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    you would need a 5 1/4 inch enclosure for a dvd drive.



    The biggest advantage to B is that hard drives go on sale at a steep discount, but external all in ones do not.

    You will get twice the storage for your money if you shop right.
    So what do you think is better 250 gb or 500 gb?
     
    stamar, Nov 14, 2006
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