External Harddrives which one is better - branded or self made?

[bum]

External Harddisks - Branded or Caddie？

Hello lads, I am seeking an external harddrive for storage purpose as well as work backups.

I am quite interested in your view on which one would ultimately be the better one? I have always thought that branded externals would be more reliable and smaller in size but more expensive, also does not offer size larger than 500GB (portable ones).

I am looking at something like 1TB harddisk and I will take it around me but it won't be a daily thing.

Discuss

 

[ChrisLX200]

I rather like the 1TB MyBook I bought about 12 months ago. Only issue I have is the eSATA connection which doesn't work for me [caveat - it worked on one ocaision, never again after that!]. It does have firewire and USB connections as well though and it's quiet and reliable using either of those. I use it for backing up my laptop, and storing other backups from other PCs. The LED light show on the front is cool and tells you when it's connected OK. I still recommend it despite the eSATA issues.

One other point - it's very difficult to get inside the MyBook to remove the disk, should you need/want to. So upgrading the drive is out. From that point of view buying a caddy (like Icybox) and putting your choice of drive in it is a good alternative.

 

[cookie666]

I'm looking for an external one to anywhere between 500-1TB should I be concerned over USB 2 opposed to Firewire and every review of one I see says "shame there is no on/off button" is this important if so any recommandations only want to spend around £70 (less if poss)