Portable External Hard Drives

Question

joe2086 Author

Level 1

8 points

Portable External Hard Drives

Hi, I am looking to buy a portable external hard drive for my MBP to back up video and audio projects. I've never bought one before so I was wondering if anybody had any recommendations. I'd prefer to spend less than $100 and get at least 1TB. Thanks.

Posted on Jan 29, 2011 6:49 AM

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Answer 1

Kappy

Level 10

362,023 points

Jan 29, 2011 8:06 AM in response to joe2086

Notebook drives in the 1 TB size will run $130 or more just for a bare drive. An entire package of drive and enclosure with FW800 capability will run around $180. Visit OWC for more information.

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Answer 2

rkaufmann87

Level 10

148,624 points

Jan 29, 2011 8:19 AM in response to joe2086

As Kappy mentioned OWC makes great products I would also consider Lacie and G-Tech.

Roger

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Answer 3

Jan 29, 2011 12:28 PM in response to joe2086

I have a Seagate FreeAgent Go 1 TB USB powered drive that seems just great. I got it from Amazon:

http://www.amazon.com/Seagate-FreeAgent-Ultra-Portable-External-STAA1000100/dp/B 003ELOSI2/ref=sr11?ie=UTF8&qid=1296332841&sr=8-1

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Answer 4

Jan 29, 2011 12:50 PM in response to Richard.Taylor

Oops-- it's actually this one:

http://www.amazon.com/Seagate-FreeAgent-Portable-External-ST910004FAA2E1-RK/dp/B 002SYYO3A/ref=sr12?ie=UTF8&qid=1296332841&sr=8-2

which is $127. I'm not sure about the "goflex" that I put in the previous link. That one apparently weighs 9 ounces rather tan 5.6 ounces, and it costs $20 less.

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Answer 5

Tuttle

Level 7

29,565 points

Jan 29, 2011 12:57 PM in response to joe2086

There are dozens of 1TB external drives you can get for under $100.

The problem with many of these 3.5" drives is that they require a power source, where 2.5" notebook drives in enclosures can run off the bus (USB or FW800). They're also more portable.

That said, you may want to spend a little more, picking out a notebook drive you like and an enclosure you like (OWC is a very good source), and put together a drive that is most useful for your needs.

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