2tb External Hard Drives

Martynt74 · 7 Mar 2011 at 10:07

Hi Guys

After realising i've been an idiot and that just because my music/videos are on a server doesnt actually mean they're backed up and if anything happened to the server i'd be screwed!

I'm looking for an external 2tb hard drive (usb 2.0 only due to motherboard limitations), i've always had WD hard drives in the past however my old Mybook has pretty much died after a couple years and obviously i don't want this happening quickly.

I liked the look of those shiny Lacie drives however i've read dreadful things about reliability of them.

Does anyone have any suggestions for a drive that will last a long time?

Cheers

mukhs11 · 7 Mar 2011 at 12:17

I looked at a few i would advise below.

Acer Altos easyStore - NAS - 2 TB

Technical Details
Product Description: Acer Altos easyStore NAS server
Device Type: NAS server
Host Connectivity: Gigabit Ethernet
Total Storage Capacity: 2 TB
Max Supported Capacity: 2 TB
Dimensions (WxDxH): 11.5 cm x 24 cm x 21 cm
Weight: 4.5 kg
Processor: 1 x Intel 80219 600 MHz
Storage Controller: RAID - Serial ATA-300 - RAID 0, 1, 5, 10, JBOD
Hard Drive: 4 x 500 GB hot-swap Serial ATA-300
Networking: Network adapter - integrated - Ethernet, Fast Ethernet, Gigabit Ethernet
Power: AC 120/230 V ( 50/60 Hz )
Manufacturer Warranty: 3 years warranty
› See more technical details

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Product details
Product Dimensions: 11.5 x 24 x 22.1 cm ; 4.5 Kg
Boxed-product Weight: 1.1 Kg
Item model number: ST.EASYS.2TC

rpstewart · 7 Mar 2011 at 12:38

The OP already has a server, why would he want to spend over £300 on a NAS?

Marvt74 said:
Does anyone have any suggestions for a drive that will last a long time?

Personally I'd go for a WD Green and an IcyBox caddy. I'd also go eSATA if at all possible, you can get an adapter which routes an internal port to a PCI backplate for a few quid if neeeded.

DragonQ · 7 Mar 2011 at 13:24

I prefer my F4EG to my WD Green (both 2 TB). Both have 3 667 GB platters but it's faster (for me at least), cheaper and I think it consumes a bit less power too. The F4EG is in an eSATA docking station too (so no fans or airflow) and it only gets to 30-35° during a long (many hours) backup.

Brumboy · 7 Mar 2011 at 13:47

Seagate Expansion 2 TB External Hard Drive, USB 2.0, 7200 RPM for around £75. Reliable and cheap. I've had Seagate hard drives for years now and they're great. I recommend getting one.

chippy08 · 7 Mar 2011 at 13:48

DragonQ said:
I prefer my F4EG to my WD Green (both 2 TB). Both have 3 667 GB platters but it's faster (for me at least), cheaper and I think it consumes a bit less power too. The F4EG is in an eSATA docking station too (so no fans or airflow) and it only gets to 30-35° during a long (many hours) backup.

Which eSATA docking station did you go for ?

DragonQ · 7 Mar 2011 at 14:09

Akasa DuoDock (AK-IC008-BK). I didn't need the one with two slots and I also preferred the eSATA version to the USB 3.0 version since it worked out about half the price (since I would've needed to buy a USB 3.0 PCI-E card too). It was on offer when I bought it - £25 inc VAT & delivery.

Very happy with it so far.

welshdragon · 7 Mar 2011 at 17:31

WD Elements drive. My 1tb drive is still going strong and they are reasonably cheap.

JonJ678 · 7 Mar 2011 at 20:15

I'd second a wd elements drive. It's the wd green hard drive recommended above, with a cheap but effective caddy. Slightly classier are the my book range, which are the same hard drive in a prettier enclosure. As the price increases the range of connections available increase, but usb will be on almost all of them.

After all, if you decide you don't like the enclosure, it's the work of a few minutes to pull the hard drive out and put it in a new one.

welshdragon · 7 Mar 2011 at 20:27

Thats good to know. If I get a nas box I may rip the wd green out the elements caddy and pair it with another green. Wonder if they'll play nice, and older and younger model....