Need new 2.5" external

Well, my 60G Seagate is gone. So I need a new one. I need a (minimum)320G 7200rpm 2.5" external hd. What's a good all rounder with a very good warranty plan?

 

If you using USB (vs eSATA) you probably don't need 7200rpm because the USB won't be able to process information that fast. Your only advantage would be in the last 40% of the data.

 

Buy a Seagate 7200.3 320GB, stick it into an enclosure of your choice (can get one off newegg). You get 5yr warranty that way.

PS why 7200 RPM? I dont think the T61p has eSATA, no point in 7200RPM if you dont have eSATA.

 

I have a firewire400, though. But I don't really see it worthwhile to pay the extra to get the 'theoratically faster' transfer speeds.

So, a 5400rpm will do?

I live in Adelaide now, so no newegg for me..

 

While it's probably cheaper to get an external case and a regular hard drive, I'm rather partial to my WD Passport. You should be able to find a deal on one somewhere.

 

How's the WD Elements? The local shop sells the 320G version for AU$169. Or should I get the Passport, since i read they're phasing out the Elements.

 

You can get enclosures anywhere. But if you are set on the WD Id go for the Passport since it has 3 yr vs 1 yr warranty.

 

I 'm not set on the WD, but the local shop has it, so I might as well. I am wondering, though, if there's any important differences between the Passport Studio, Essential and Elite versions? If not, then I'll just get the Essential, since it's the cheapest.

 

Keep in mind that many 7200rpm drives have trouble being powered from a single USB port.

I personally don't see a huge advantage to a 7200rpm external.

Greg

 

Theoretical maximum data transfer speed of Firewire 400 is 400Mbps while USB2 has 480Mbps. I don’t know how the real world speeds compare, but Firewire 400 can't be much better than USB2. In either case not much of a point in getting a 7200RPM.

Personally I'd get the hard disk and enclosure separately to minimize the cost. Segate has a 5 Year warranty (if you really want it to be that long…; but after 5 years a 320GB hard disk is almost worthless and you wouldn’t want to get it replaced even if it breaks down). For me the hardware/mechanical warranty of a hard disk beyond 1 or 2 years is not that important, but if they provided a data recovery service or something included in the warranty then I'd seriously consider it, but unfortunately no one does....

 

Well, in that case, the shop has a WD3200BEVT, which is, I think a Scorpio Blue. But the interface is a SATA one. So when I buy the enclosure it will convert the SATA connection to a USB one?(Sorry for so many questions, it's my first time buying a HD and enclosure seperately)

 

Yes, the point of the enclosure is to convert the SATA interface into USB.

 

But does this mean I need an external AC power as well?

 

Most manufacturers give you an "equivalent or better". So if 5 years later the only HDDs are 320TBs you will get a 320TB

 

Wow. That's pretty sweet. But 320TB? heh. I wonder how much pr0n could be put in. hahaha!

 

No, 2.5 enclosures (including SATA) are USB powered.

320TB ...... wish I had one now ...
I'm running out of space on my 1TB external drive...

Not much more than you can put right now, because in 5 years p0rn will be in ultra high def too (next gen bluray or whatever)

 

Haha let me guess what is on your 1TB... ^^.