Recommend me an external hard drive for backup

Ricochet J · 14 Apr 2009 at 11:19

I have a very important 120Gb internal hard drive. If something happens to this drive, all my uni work is gone. I have huge AutoCad files and other files too. I'm thinking an external hard drive is probably the best way to go about it since I can also move it around to other computers too.

I have USB, Firewire and Ethernet ports.

Recommend me an external hard drive. I'm looking at topps £150 but want to minimize cost. I'll be ordering from OcUK.

Many thanks

StephenLawUK · 14 Apr 2009 at 11:55

external casing + internal drive of your choice is what i went with. Works great i have a nice TB external drive that uses a sammy f1. Can be connected with USB, esata. And if you need to you can use it as an internal drive too if you get a larger hard drive configuration in your PC.

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=HD-030-BT&groupid=701&catid=14&subcat=72

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=HD-053-SA&groupid=701&catid=14&subcat=1279

Ricochet J · 14 Apr 2009 at 12:29

I would love to go with that option but ideally I'd want it to be portable so I can put it in my bag and take it to Uni with me, in effect, it being a huge USB drive.

bloodiedathame · 14 Apr 2009 at 13:18

OC stock some good portable external HDDs. Make sure they are portable (ie powered by USB). I bought a 400GB Freecom from OC which has been great.

FaceplantSi · 14 Apr 2009 at 15:58

I would go with the WD Studio edition as they are the premium WD ones and about the only portable HDD to have firewire as well as USB2. They have a good 320Gb one here.

It says it's MAC only... I didn't see that in the description first time, so maybe not the best. Oops!

Barlick · 14 Apr 2009 at 16:27

I thought of going with the Akasa HD Enclosure (Akasa Elite eSATA/USB 2.0 3.5" Hard Drive Enclosure (AK-IC010-BK)) as opposed to the ICY Box as mentioned earlier (Icy Box External Enclosure IB-390StUS-B 3.5" eSATA + USB 2.0 Combo - Black). Want to run my backup drive directly from the USB for convenience. Forum members seem to rate this one (Hitachi Deskstar 7K1000.B 1TB SATA-II 16MB).

Thoughts?

Antec 1200 : Asus P5Q : HIS ATI 4850 : Seagate 500Gb x2 : Corsair 650 PS : 4Gb Corsair Mem : Lacie PATA 250Gb Ext. Drive

Ricochet J · 15 Apr 2009 at 13:11

Thanks for the info guys. I'll have a look into what you all suggested.

CaseyChaos · 15 Apr 2009 at 13:34

FaceplantSi said:
I would go with the WD Studio edition as they are the premium WD ones and about the only portable HDD to have firewire as well as USB2. They have a good 320Gb one here.

It says it's MAC only... I didn't see that in the description first time, so maybe not the best. Oops!

It says designed for mac, I assume that is just a marketing thing due to it being the same colour, surely they will work in a standard pc as well.

D D Danneh · 15 Apr 2009 at 14:27

WD My Passport Studio.

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=HD-258-WD

http://www.wdc.com/en/products/products.asp?driveid=571

Has Firewire 400 and 800, USB, and can be powered by either. It's formatted for Mac but can be reformatted (check out the WD link), and it comes in at £100.