The Notebook Review forums were hosted by TechTarget, who shut down them down on January 31, 2022. This static read-only archive was pulled by NBR forum users between January 20 and January 31, 2022, in an effort to make sure that the valuable technical information that had been posted on the forums is preserved. For current discussions, many NBR forum users moved over to NotebookTalk.net after the shutdown.
Problems? See this thread at archive.org.

    Recommend me an external 2.5" hard drive

    Discussion in 'Hardware Components and Aftermarket Upgrades' started by KZ0, Jul 28, 2010.

  1. KZ0

    KZ0 Notebook Enthusiast

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    28
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    5
    Looking for a small external hard drive that doesn't need a power input (only USB). No need for USB3 or firewire, will be using it with USB2 devices. Just got an Envy 14 with an Intel x25 160 GB SSD - performing great, but not having too much space. Looks also matter, don't want something ugly or too tacky, yet I'm generally not very picky about looks. Feel free to suggest anything.

    As for size - I figure 500 GB is enough, and prices tend to jump when the exceeding 640-750 GB anyway. I found a 750 GB Toshiba (didn't know they even made hard drives) at Microcenter for $110. More storage is of course better, but not necessary. Found a 500 Seagate for $75 at best buy, but then I might have to pay more for shiping to get it on time, unless they sell the same thing in physical stores as well (?).

    If it's online, I'd need it to be delivered before Wednesday next week, I'm headed back to Europe then.

    Any suggestions?
     
    KZ0, Jul 28, 2010
    #1
  2. DetlevCM

    DetlevCM Notebook Nobel Laureate

    Reputations:
    4,843
    Messages:
    8,389
    Likes Received:
    1
    Trophy Points:
    205
    I've got an OLD WD Passport that I am very happy with - but apparently the new ones are rubbish (see Amazon reviews).

    I got a Seagate Freeagent Go - its a lovely thing - and just a normal drive (just move the software into a folder or delete it)

    Edit:
    I got my Seagate FreeaAgent for 130€ by the way + shipping and paying the postman :D
     
    DetlevCM, Jul 28, 2010
    #2
  3. sean473

    sean473 Notebook Prophet

    Reputations:
    613
    Messages:
    6,705
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    0
    i suggest the WD passports... seagate is allright but reliability of seagate products makes me get WD ones... however , seagate is not a bad choice...as far as u can get a refund.
     
    sean473, Jul 28, 2010
    #3
  4. DetlevCM

    DetlevCM Notebook Nobel Laureate

    Reputations:
    4,843
    Messages:
    8,389
    Likes Received:
    1
    Trophy Points:
    205
    But then definitely an old one...

    The new ones get horrible reviews...

    Amazon.com: Western Digital My Passport Essential SE USB 2.0 Portable External Hard Drive WDBABM7500ABK-NESN (Midnight Black): Electronics

    http://www.amazon.com/Western-Digit...4?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1280333259&sr=8-4
     
    DetlevCM, Jul 28, 2010
    #4
  5. KZ0

    KZ0 Notebook Enthusiast

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    28
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    5
    Thanks for all the advice. Just got a WD Passport 750 GB drive, and it seems good. Small, looks good, and came with a nice sleeve. It's got a virtual drive with manuals and stuff which I personally dislike (guessing it's possible to get rid of), but else all sweet.
     
    KZ0, Jul 28, 2010
    #5
  6. jacobxaviermason

    jacobxaviermason Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    329
    Messages:
    260
    Likes Received:
    1
    Trophy Points:
    31
    Goo choice. I've used recent (last 2 years) WD and Seagate 2.5 in drives, and have found the performance of the WD has hardly deteriorated, whereas the Seagate has gotten a little fragile.

    As far as the virtual drive goes--you can always reformat the whole thing and start out fresh!
     
    jacobxaviermason, Jul 29, 2010
    #6