Best portable HDD?

[TheAnimus]

So what do you think the best portable HDD is? I want something that is very small and very lightweight.

[nibbler]

This is designed for macs but looks v slim indeed, should be released soon.

[kalniel]

Kingston Technology HyperX Max. Very small, very lightweight, very fast. Though it's an SSD really

[TheAnimus]

Hmm SSD to small capacity wise, the other one, not really out yet, but other than that

[Pob255]

Well you never said about capacity I'll tell you this much SSD's are massively more robust compared to hard drives, esp for anything that will be moved or chucked around a lot.

Heck you asked for "the best" which in itself is a totally unquantifiable term.

I'd say just get a separate 2.5" HDD enclosure and then you can put any hard drive or ssd you want in it.
I got one of the cheap ones form scan http://www.scan.co.uk/products/dynam...powered-pc-mac
just added it onto another order so I could still get free p&p

However this one may be worth it for the USB3 as moving large amounts of data is where USB3 is actually very helpful. http://www.scan.co.uk/products/newli...-hdd-enclosure

[usxhe190]

Wait for USB 3? Although your computer can't support it now anyways though...

[Pob255]

it can if you add a usb3 pci-e card
http://www.scan.co.uk/products/2-por...host-card-(nec)

[peterb]

I'm with Pob255 on that. I've used the dynamode - OK but perhaps a little flimsy, so I'd use one of these:

http://www.scan.co.uk/Shop/Computer-...818-25%29-SATA

I have the previous version of the centre one - comes with a soft case (I think the Dynamode does too) but feels a bit more substantial.

Then you have the pick of the drive you prefer. I'd go WD or Samsung, but other may have different views.

Couple of things to be aware of though:

Some pre-built external hard drives come with a mains PSU. The standalone enclosures usually don't. The USB2 spec allows for a maximum of 500mA to be drawn, and if the drive exceeds that you either need a double ended USB lead (which uses two ports on the computer to double the current capacity), or an external adaptor which you would need to add

And other have a function button or other feature, which together with some (usually) provided software, gives feature like one-touch backup, which you are unlikely to get on a enclosure. (there may be some - but I haven't looked)

[Pob255]

Again peterb seems to be able to get into my head and actually put down what I was trying to get at.

All the built in software I've seen on external drivers is next to junk anyway, all they tend to do is replicate functions that the OS can already do very simply, or that free software can do with less fuss.
Also many viruses target the autorun of portable devices so you can end up with the software corrupted anyway.

the dynamode one is pretty decent, it's a solid aluminium case, the two ends are held on by screws.
However the drive is not supported or padded, so I padded mine out with some paxmate stuck onto the hard drive, holds it sequrely inside the case and provides shock absorbtion

[TheAnimus]

Hmm an SSD isn't an HDD imho.... (don't get me wrong, all my desktops and my most of my lappies use em) but this is more 0.5tb range because my lappy has a stupid SSD in it


I was thiking something like this:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Toshiba-PX16...tion=jprnpxllo

not too big, and quite robust (more so than some of the chassis)

[nibbler]

Pre-installed with award winning McAfee Internet Security (Trial Version)

I hate this kind of thing, and I also hate everything trying to install the ask.com toolbar... I clearly don't want it!

[Pob255]

How about http://www.scan.co.uk/products/480gb...-write-240mb-s you haven't said anything about cost

Even the pastic cases are fine, because any force enough to damage the case is going to the hard drive as well
The WesternDigital passport is decent http://www.amazon.co.uk/Passport-Ess...dp_ob_title_ce (this is the newer usb3 model)

Or the AData rubberised one
http://www.amazon.co.uk/External-SH9...5&sr=1-1-spell
review here http://www.techspot.com/review/216-a...-external-hdd/
I'm sure hexus.tv was going to do a review on this . . . never remember seeing it past the comedy intro episode Nick did

EDIT:Found it
http://forums.hexus.net/hexus-tv-tur...petition+Prize
http://forums.hexus.net/hexus-tv-tur...petition+Prize
http://forums.hexus.net/hexus-tv-tur...petition+Prize
http://forums.hexus.net/hexus-tv-tur...petition+Prize
http://forums.hexus.net/hexus-tv-tur...eak+Stuff+Give
http://forums.hexus.net/hexus-tv-tur...eak+Stuff+Give
http://forums.hexus.net/hexus-tv-tur...eak+Stuff+Give

Odd cannot find 4 and 5 :/

Actually thinking about it, it's a portable hard drive that can survive Nick, what more endorsement do you need?