Portable USB powered hard drive

[fray_bentos]

I need to get one of these to move some files around and wanted suggestions please. I've seen this Maxtor one on Scan but can anyone recommend this or anything similar? I don't really want to spend any more than £50 and 40Gb should be about right I think.

Thanks.

[Funkstar]

That one looks pretty good actually.

You could get a case and a drive seperately
http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/Produ...Thumbnails=yes
and
http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/Produ...Thumbnails=yes

[chrestomanci]

I would recomened a Thesus Yes nano. Unlike most it can run of internal batteries so you don't need a second power supply to run it.

Also, it has a USB master mode, that allows you to suck all the data from any USB storagae device you connect to it, so you can back up your digital camera while in the field.

[fray_bentos]

Cheers guys, putting my own together could be worthwhile, more expensive than the Maxtor (but it's overdue on stock). And the Thesus isn't any more expensive than the other enclosures so might be a nice feature to have.

But can these draw power directly from USB to power them? (Obviously the Thesus has a battery pack)

[Funkstar]

yeah it will take power over USB no problem

The battery pack is just a grey plastic case that hold 6xAA batteries, so not exactly svelt. Also, because it has a USB host mode the USB connection is the same as you get on hubs, so i have to take it's own cable as well as a normal mini-USB cable when i travel.

Although i bought it for it's host capabilities, i've never used them. I use my Archos AV500 instead, that way i can view my pics as well.

EDIT: the battery pack is useful though. The power connector is a standard 5v roundplug, so fits a frew of my gadgets

[loki]

That yes nano looks pretty impressive. I think I'll pick one up myself.

[Mithrandir]

I got myself a 2.3" drive from Scan (40gb) and bought a Dynamode/Insixt caddy. (won an award from PC pro mag)

It's a great little unit and is very portable and runs from USB, no external PSU needed unlike my 3.5" Icybox (which stopped working a couple of months back but started working again last week )