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.

    usb powered hard drive vs external cord

    Discussion in 'Hardware Components and Aftermarket Upgrades' started by michaeljean, Feb 6, 2010.

  1. michaeljean

    michaeljean Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    8
    Messages:
    265
    Likes Received:
    1
    Trophy Points:
    31
    I bought a little acer revo as my media center and I need some serious storage. Currently I have one 500GB external 2.5 HD and another 3.5 500GB that is powered by wall outlet. Which uses less power?

    I'm thinking the usb powered one does. Whats the best low power solution with the best amount of storage.
     
    michaeljean, Feb 6, 2010
    #1
  2. goofball

    goofball Notebook Deity

    Reputations:
    358
    Messages:
    1,710
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    55
    2.5" by far.
    How much storage do you need?
     
    goofball, Feb 6, 2010
    #2
  3. surfasb

    surfasb Titles Shmm-itles

    Reputations:
    2,637
    Messages:
    6,370
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    205
    3.5 are the best amount of storage. For the price and power of two 2.5, you can get one of those big guys.
     
    surfasb, Feb 6, 2010
    #3
  4. michaeljean

    michaeljean Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    8
    Messages:
    265
    Likes Received:
    1
    Trophy Points:
    31
    I need at least two terabytes to get through 2010, I have a media server always downloading so in a month I'm getting about 300GB, but I'm also running out of stuff to download

    Right now my acer has 500gb + 2.5 500gb and the big 3.5 500gb
     
    michaeljean, Feb 6, 2010
    #4
  5. H.A.L. 9000

    H.A.L. 9000 Occam's Chainsaw

    Reputations:
    6,415
    Messages:
    5,296
    Likes Received:
    552
    Trophy Points:
    281
    The 2.5in drives that are powered by a USB connection HAVE to use less than 500mA, as that is the maximum amount of power supplied by a USB port.
     
    H.A.L. 9000, Feb 6, 2010
    #5
  6. goofball

    goofball Notebook Deity

    Reputations:
    358
    Messages:
    1,710
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    55
    To clarify, 500mA of 5V, so 2.5w.

    Two terabytes, you should go with an external 3.5" enclosure. I've seen a few that can connect via USB/eSATA that are 4 bay. Something like this;

    http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=5606141&CatId=2778
     
    goofball, Feb 6, 2010
    #6