(+14rep) external hd

[Ostinato]

Hiya.

Basically I have been having some troubles with my laptop charger and it's getting taken away next week to get fixed. It could be gone for up to 10 days, and as I have exams and stuff I really need to make sure I get everything backed up. Also I wanna make sure I do not end up losing all my photos and music and things.

So I think I basically need to get myself an external hard drive.

Is there any cheapos out there that will do a good job? I'm looking maybe something from argos, pc world etc. so as I can just go out and buy it asap.

Preferably quite cheap as it's coming out of my magaluf fund :P lol but something that will do the job and hold a fair good bit.

Cheers!!

[Implement]

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Western-Digital-Essential-500GB-External/dp/B000WP0NM8/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1241646286&sr=8-2

got one myself, highly recommended, does the job.

[N!ck]

Basically, you have a choice netween a 2.5" drive and a 3.5" drive. The only advantage of a 3.5" drive is that you get more capacity for the money. 2.5" drives are smaller and do not need to be plugged into the mains for power.

These seem to be the best value 2.5" drives: http://www.pcworld.co.uk/martprd/store/pcw_page.jsp?BV_SessionID=@@@@0028620659.124164670 4@@@@&BV_EngineID=ccedadehegejdeicflgceggdhhmdgmj.0&page=Product&fm=null&sm=null&tm=null&sku=754925&category_oid= http://www.pcworld.co.uk/martprd/store/pcw_page.jsp?BV_SessionID=@@@@0028620659.124164670 4@@@@&BV_EngineID=ccedadehegejdeicflgceggdhhmdgmj.0&page=ProductList&category_oid=-32889&show_all=true

3.5": http://www.pcworld.co.uk/martprd/store/pcw_page.jsp?BV_SessionID=@@@@0028620659.124164670 4@@@@&BV_EngineID=ccedadehegejdeicflgceggdhhmdgmj.0&page=Product&fm=null&sm=null&tm=null&sku=220908&category_oid=

[Ostinato]

So the 3.5 one will actually need a power outlet??

I'd maybe prefer a 2.5 in that case as it would be beneficial for me to take it to uni also and not always requiring a power mains.

[J0SH]

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Western-Digital-Passport-Essential-Portable/dp/B0012IOHVM/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1241646944&sr=1-1

My B-Tech ICT teacher has one, it's really good. I've used it so quick etc

[Ostinato]

Okay is there anything below the £50 mark as they all seem to be about that atm?

[J0SH]

Depends how big your files are, if you've only got about 1000 songs and a few hundred pictures it won't come to much in size so you could always get a 16GB USB?

http://www.amazon.co.uk/SanDisk-Cruzer-Micro-Flash-Drive/dp/B001CHWE9U/ref=sr_1_10?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1241647298&sr=1-10

[N!ck]

So the 3.5 one will actually need a power outlet??

I'd maybe prefer a 2.5 in that case as it would be beneficial for me to take it to uni also and not always requiring a power mains.

Yes, a 3.5" drive needs plugging into the mains along with your computer. A 2.5" just needs the USB like a flash drive.

Places don't seem to sell lower capacity drives any more, so the proves all start at around £50. The only way to get cheaper really would be to get an older, lower capacity one on eBay.

[Implement]

you can could get the one I said in 320GB for a bit less than £50 I think.

i doubt you would get a decent 2.5" hdd for under £50.

[Ostinato]

Okay.

Although I don't really wanna go out and spend 50quid on one cause it's not something I specifically want... maybe I would be better just to pay it and invest in one with a greater storage and it can do me for my next few years at uni and whatever anyway...

Hmmm... Cheers guysies! Keep posting though really appreciate it =)

[Nick.]

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Western-Digital-Passport-Essential-Portable/dp/B0012IOHVM/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1241646944&sr=1-1

My B-Tech ICT teacher has one, it's really good. I've used it so quick etc
Sorry I have to say this because it really annoys me, why have you used etc? It isn't needed... 'I've used it so quick etc' just doesn't seem to make sense to me and so many people do it now.

@Ostinato
eBay is a good place to look from what I've heard. I would advise against WD as I've had nothing but trouble with them and getting a warranty replacement from them is impossible. This seems quite good: http://www.amazon.co.uk/60Gb-Portable-Inch-External-Drive/dp/B001PAC67O/ref=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1241647510&sr=1-7 got good reviews too, and only £35. Of course it depends if you are going to need more than 60GB.

[Implement]

You could use this one, reasonable price.

http://www.pcworld.co.uk/martprd/store/pcw_page.jsp?BV_SessionID=@@@@0119695830.124164753 2@@@@&BV_EngineID=cceladehehlllehcflgceggdhhmdgmi.0&page=Product&fm=null&sm=null&tm=null&sku=566749&category_oid=

But I still highly recommend the same sort of one that I bought (Western Digital 3.5") - just in a lower capacity, if you shop about I'm sure you could get a 320GB/400GB model for a little over £50.

I paid £79.99 for my Western Digital 3.5" 500GB at pcworld.

[hamheyelliot]

I got a 250GB Iomega 2.5" a while back, It comes in a pleasant chrome-ey casing, and it uses a Seagate Barracuda drive inside, so it's pretty good for specs aswell.
Go to Comet or Staples, just under £50 for me.

Another recommendation would be a Seagate FreeAgent Go, you can do a bit of scouring and perhaps grab one a little cheaper.

[J0SH]

Sorry I have to say this because it really annoys me, why have you used etc? It isn't needed... 'I've used it so quick etc' just doesn't seem to make sense to me and so many people do it now.

@Ostinato
eBay is a good place to look from what I've heard. I would advise against WD as I've had nothing but trouble with them and getting a warranty replacement from them is impossible. This seems quite good: http://www.amazon.co.uk/60Gb-Portable-Inch-External-Drive/dp/B001PAC67O/ref=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1241647510&sr=1-7 got good reviews too, and only £35. Of course it depends if you are going to need more than 60GB.

I'm pointing out that it's my teachers and just recommended it because I've used my teachers one, and it's quick, and I've used it to back up some work for a unit.

[N!ck]

I'm pointing out that it's my teachers and just recommended it because I've used my teachers one, and it's quick, and I've used it to back up some work for a unit.

All fairly modern external HDDs are the same speed as they're all limited by USB 2 being slower than their maximum throughput.

[Barmi]

Sorry I have to say this because it really annoys me, why have you used etc? It isn't needed... 'I've used it so quick etc' just doesn't seem to make sense to me and so many people do it now.

@Ostinato
eBay is a good place to look from what I've heard. I would advise against WD as I've had nothing but trouble with them and getting a warranty replacement from them is impossible. This seems quite good: http://www.amazon.co.uk/60Gb-Portable-Inch-External-Drive/dp/B001PAC67O/ref=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1241647510&sr=1-7 got good reviews too, and only £35. Of course it depends if you are going to need more than 60GB.
I have a WD external at the moment and it has performed flawlessly. If I remember correctly, I've had it for over a year, but cannot be bothered to check in Time Machine.

Just to put another thought in the OP's shell: don't get sucked into the WD and Seagate debate. There is very little merit in it; different people have different experiences. My Seagate experience has been a negative one, but don't take much from that (just as you should take most things on this forum with a pinch of salt).

The £35 one seems suitable, but it's hard to make solid recommendations unless you (OP) let us know what capacity you are after.

[Implement]

USB 3.0 couldn't come any quicker? :P

If you're not feeling my recommendations, then I really would recommend if you are going to get any HDD then Western Digital is for you, never gone wrong with em'.

[Nick.]

I'm pointing out that it's my teachers and just recommended it because I've used my teachers one, and it's quick, and I've used it to back up some work for a unit.
And why does that have ANYTHING to do with the point I was making... I already read how your teacher used it and you thought it was quick. Why was an et cetera needed? I'm just asking as it just seems funny when people use it for no reason :) (btw I can read stuff just as well in bold as I can normal)

[Ostinato]

Lolol okayyy a lot to take in :P haha

I really do appreciate all you guys opinions though. When it comes to storage and all that I am not as flying high as I should be :P lolol

[Implement]

wheres our rep!!!

[Ostinato]

dont get ur knickers in a twist ul get it

[J0SH]

Actually when you're running an RM shared PC that has like 12MB of ram, and it loads in a split second, that's what I'd call fast, even on a crap PC.

[Nick.]

Actually when you're running an RM shared PC that has like 12MB of ram, and it loads in a split second, that's what I'd call fast, even on a crap PC.
12MB of RAM? :rolleyes: and what operating system would that be running... Windows 3.1?

[Implement]

Ostinato I was joking, my friend. :P

[N!ck]

Actually when you're running an RM shared PC that has like 12MB of ram, and it loads in a split second, that's what I'd call fast, even on a crap PC.

Any will load just as fast.

[Implement]

12mb of ram? are you even able to use notepad on your school computers?

[Ostinato]

12mb of ram? are you even able to use notepad on your school computers?

Well he is from Hackney.... =p!!! lol

[J0SH]

Well he is from Hackney.... =p!!! lol

Aren't you from Glasgow? ;)

[Implement]

Rather be at Glasgow than Hackney :P

[Ostinato]

Pmsl eh dont even go there :P

[Inspiration]

I suggest if you dont need it then go for a 16GB memory stick but i'm sure you might be able to find one on ebay for cheap although be careful :)
Good luck

[Ostinato]

I bought one!!

I planned on buying one online from ebay or amazon or something, but I got a call today sayign that they are coming to collect my laptop tomorrow afternoon :l so everything has been a bit hectic today trying to get organised for it!

I ran out to get one. Went to Comet and the cheapest they had was an Iomega one 250gb for £55.

Whilst I was there though I had popped into a nearby Tesco. Best decision I have made in a long time! :P

They had an Iomega 360gb reduced from £70 to £45! The only others they had was an Iomega 250 for £50!

So basically I paid a wee bit less than I had wanted but got much more memory for it! :) very pleased :P

Thank you all so much, think just about everyone has got their rep!

[Implement]

glad you got one, i havent got my rep? :(

[Ostinato]

glad you got one, i havent got my rep? :(

U SURE? it says i need to spred before given to u again

[Ostinato]

Hmmmm

I dont know how to get past this stupid windows xp activation thing :@

:S i posted this in the other thread

[Implement]

I used this like a week ago;

http://www.megaupload.com/?d=VUJ06D4M

[Nick.]

i havent got my rep? :(
same here.

[Ostinato]

same here.

Again it says I have to spread before i can give to you again mate

[Nick.]

Again it says I have to spread before i can give to you again mate
you negged me last time haha.

[Implement]

he scammed us of our +reps

[J0SH]

Nor did I get rep lol, and you aren't on my recently repped list so I doubt you needed to spread for yet another person :(

[Ostinato]

Well thats what it says lol

pmsl seriously why wud i want to not give you all rep?!

Only reason I can think is because i am hardly on and hardly rep people, therefore it is likely you guys helped me out with a tech prob before and i repped you then.

[J0SH]

Sorry I'm -repping you I'm fed up of your compolsory lying.

Jokes, glad you found a HD ;)

[Ostinato]

Sorry I'm -repping you I'm fed up of your compolsory lying.

Jokes, glad you found a HD ;)

PMSL you skank :P