Best external HDD solution for £100

[Aaron]

Hi guys,

I want to back-up the important files (music, video, documents) on my PC and so I was thinking about getting an external hard-drive.

My main priorities are that it's quiet, uses USB2.0 (my only firewire port is taken) and costs £100 or less. I'm not sure what size I want, but I'm thinking that the bigger it is, the more likely it is to be future-proof.

So what's my best option? An all-in-one solution from someone like Lacie or just by the enclosure and a regular hard-drive? I'm assuming that the all in one solutions are generally quieter? Any recommendations on brand?

Thanks.

[GizmoStu]

We've got a couple of 100Gb Maxtor OneTouch external HDD's at work. Seem to do the job well enough. Think they're about £80 each.

[wedge22]

Sorry to jump onboard but I am also looking at getting an external HDD soon for around the same money. I have to say that the Porsche designed Lacie drives look very nice.

[5cupa]

i have used a good few externals and can say that Lacie have been the best drives by far. u may a little bit more for them but its worth it

[Aaron]

Cool, thanks. I'll probably go for the 250GB Lacie USB2.0 one then for around £100.

[0iD]

I got a load of these for work recently, they really are axcellent. http://www.thetechnologyfactory.co.u.../products/1479
Hotswappable, stackable hard drive enclosures. Well smart.

Found them afer a review in micromart. After you get the bottom docking station (make sure you get that one first) theoretically there's no limit to how many you can stack. Just gets a bit wobbly with 4 or more

DockPod is your launching pad for RocketPod™ Hi-Performance Peripherals from AcomData. Patented Stack&Play™ technology lets you stack on up to five RocketPod modules without additional data cables or power cords. RocketPod modules are interchangeable, hot swappable, and portable. You can even combine USB 2.0 and FireWire RocketPod modules in the same stack, and in any order. Each stacked on RocketPod module automatically powers up and mounts to your computer, while DockPod’s built-in retro-style voltage meter monitors power usage. If you want a peripherals solution that’s customizable, portable, expandable––and ready for the future––get DockPod and get connected to the RocketPod revolution.


Specifications
Interfaces:

FireWire (IEEE 1394a) – 400 Mbps
USB 2.0 – up to 480 Mbps
Physical

Dimensions: W 4.7" x H 1.85" x L 7.4"
Weight: 450g (0.99 lb.)
Electrical

Input DC voltage: 19~25V
Input current: 4A max
Input power: 75W max
Output voltage: 12V +/- 5%
Output current: 5A average, 6A peak (10 sec)
Efficiency: >90%
Environmental

Temperature: - operating: +5 to +40 ºC; non-operating: -40 to +70 ºC;
Humidity: - operating : 5% to 90% - non-operating: 5% to 95%

System requirements
SYSTEM REQUIREMENT FOR PC

Minimum 233MHz Pentium or equivalent processor
Windows 98SE, ME, 2000, or XP
Available USB port and/or FireWire port
SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS FOR MAC

Power Mac (G5, G4, Blue & White G3, iBook or iMac)
Mac OS 9 or Mac OS X
Available USB port and/or FireWire portWindowsMicrosoft

[menthel]

Go to the amazon sale, they have a 250gb WD external drive for £99. They are really good.

[magicrichard]

Just don't get an IcyBox... they are plagued with problems.

Mine worked fine for a month and is now constantly a nightmare with copying large files!

[Aaron]

I ordered a Lacie 200GB USB2 unit from Scan for £93.49 in the end. Thanks everyone.

[blueball]

As I have heaps of old internal drives kicking around I ordered one of these:

http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/Produ...oductID=138544

which costs less than £20 and you plug as many disks as you want (though not all at the same time) It works with laptop drives too

[menthel]

My icybox usb is great. Been running for a year without a problem. Its the sata ones that are dodgy.

[paddlegod]

OiD,

What type of hard drives live in the Rocket Pods? IDE or SATA?

[magicrichard]

Menthel - Mine isn't a SATA...