External Hard Drive

[pompalomp]

Hi,

I am getting an external hard drive for my laptop and i was wondering is it at all possible to get a battery powered hard drive, or one that is powered through the USB?

Thanks in advance,

Regards,

Pompalomp

[Technogeek]

Yes their are plenty of 2.5 USB hard drives out their you could choose from.
I have a Firelite 80 GB, very slim and handy to have. Technology has got better since I got mine so you should be able to pick a good one up for around £60.

[staffsMike]

I've got a couple of Western Digital Passports (160GB and slightly newer 320GB) both very good drives. Small, sleek, pick up stratches like nobodies business in black

Plug & play as well as powered off USB etc.. good drives and very reliable in my experience.

[pompalomp]

Thanks alot,

Is it also possible to get a external dvd drive that is powered through the USB?

Regards,

Pompalomp

EDIT: StaffsMike, do you know if the western digital passport is compatible with linux?

[staffsMike]

I believe they do work with linux but have a scout around for the particulars..

Yep USB powered external DVDs are pretty common
http://www.scan.co.uk/Product.aspx?W...source=froogle

Not the cheapest example but there are plenty. Some might want 2x USB though.

[pompalomp]

StaffsMike,

Well i'm getting an Asus Eee 1000/901 (havn't decided yet) i have heard problems with them not being able to power external devices. Do you know anthing about it?

Regards,

Pompalomp

[staffsMike]

Not heard of it no. I have seen old laptops struggling to power the passports though.

[Webby]

As a slight thread derailemnt you may want to consider the Samsung NC10 in your netbook musings
10" screen £300 price tag 160GB HDD and XP as standard (although you could always wipe it or duel boot Linux if you wanted to)

http://www.ebuyer.com/product/150183

Comes in Black, Blue and White all available to preorder from eBuyer

[TAKTAK]

StaffsMike,

Well i'm getting an Asus Eee 1000/901 (havn't decided yet) i have heard problems with them not being able to power external devices. Do you know anthing about it?

Regards,

Pompalomp

my EEE 701 can power my WD 160GB passport fine, on all USB ports (soe ports give out more power than others [i can't remember which way around it is though... although logic dictates it would be the one on the left as it connects on its own])

Xandros picks it up fine, as does any distro i have tried it on...

and if something does decide not to power it, then just grab a 'Y' cable and run it off 2 USBs (2 Power 1 Data)