Quick "?" - portable External HD

[97tbird]

Some quick questions - need to buy one next week.

-Needs to be about 500GB - 1 TB

-need to be as slim as possible but not crazy slim, but easily portable.

-about ones that work ONLY via a USB connection:
If it's a USB 3.0 powered, Can they be powered/operated with USB 2.0 ports? (loss of speed is not an issue, as long as basic functions are ok)
EDIT: search says YES you can.

-CAN be one needs external AC power (doesn't NEED to be only USB powered)

-and lastly, and good current deals that you guys know of?

EDIT: notable choices are SeaGate. Toshiba, WD...
(all similar reviews at amazon/newegg)
What about Buffalo? less reviews, but better price.

 

[Quattro Pete]

I've got a bunch of them. The Toshiba Canvio as well as the Samsung ones are very slim. The WD one is slightly thicker, but that one's 2TB, so maybe that's why.

The small ones (2.5") can be powered from USB, including USB 2.0. The larger ones (3.5") require external power source.

Check slickdeals.net for some current deals. My 1TB Samsung was $50. The 2 TB WD was $90.

 

[Nick R]

Any USB only one will run on USB only, 2.0 or 3.0. Or they are supposed to, anyway. The main thing that "concerns" me is that 2.0 is only 500ma, USB 3.0 can supply at least twice that. Doesn't seem to be much of an issue for my Toshiba I picked up on sale a while back, but just something to consider.

 

[Donald]

I bought mine at Walmart. About the size of a mens wallet. No power needed. I think it was $50 for a 500 GB one.

 

[simple_gifts]

External powered ones are just plain annoying.

USB powered FTW.

 

[JC1]

Originally Posted By: 97tbird
Some quick questions - need to buy one next week.

-Needs to be about 500GB - 1 TB

-need to be as slim as possible but not crazy slim, but easily portable.

-about ones that work ONLY via a USB connection:
If it's a USB 3.0 powered, Can they be powered/operated with USB 2.0 ports? (loss of speed is not an issue, as long as basic functions are ok)
EDIT: search says YES you can.

-CAN be one needs external AC power (doesn't NEED to be only USB powered)

-and lastly, and good current deals that you guys know of?

EDIT: notable choices are SeaGate. Toshiba, WD...
(all similar reviews at amazon/newegg)
What about Buffalo? less reviews, but better price.


Go for a 2.5 inch external drive with USB 3.0. If you are going to copy a lot of data between both drives and your computer supports USB 3.0 you won't regret the little bit of extra cost. 1TB is ok, but if you can get a 2TB on sale then go for it.

Regards, JC.

 

[loyd]

Try Here:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822236576

I have one and use it to backup my HP computer. Works fine on USB 2.o also.

 

[97tbird]

Went with the Toshiba Canvio Basics 500GB for $53 from Amazon Prime - will see how it goes and update.
(This is just for a travel HD. We do have a bigger WD MyBook or whatever 2TB; that we keep in the house, and prefer not to travel with it)

 

[Rick in PA]

I got a WD Elements for back-up, like this:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822236517
A nice little drive, there was some stuff on the disk but easy to ignore and just use it as a storage disk. I like it.

Oops, didn't read the last post!