Questions about External Hard Drives?

[theking375]

I'm thinking about getting a 500 GB external hard drive. I've never had an external hard drive or used one before, so I have some questions for those of you that do.

I'm thinking about getting a LaCie. Either...


http://www.amazon.com/500GB-Lacie-Quadra-7200RPM-16MB/dp/B000MEX7CC/ref=sr_1_1/104-2805173-5937550?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1190414748&sr=1-1

or...


http://www.amazon.com/LaCie-External-Design-Porsche-301103U/dp/B000H6CBA4/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/104-2805173-5937550?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1190414899&sr=1-1


Do these look good? I've had some people tell me Lacie is too expensive. However, the prices on these are about the same as comparable products from other brands. Also, with Amazon.com, it'll be no tax and no shipping.

Also, I've had some people tell me LaCie is the most dependable drives they know as far as not crashing. I've had a couple other people tell me the opposite, that they break easily and crash often. Opinions?

How important is FireWire? Is it really that much faster than USB? Someone told me it doesn't matter because USB can go up to 480 Mb/s, which is more than you ever need for DLing or ULing. Other people have said FireWire makes a difference. Help, please?

Any and all thoughtful responses are greatly appreciated. :icon_rr:

[DigitalJunkie]

I had never own a LaCie before, but the 500GB USB 2.0 External looks sweet!

If your computer support USB2.0, between Firewire & USB 2.0 it wouldn't matter.

[carpefile]

USB2 is all the fast you need IMHO.
La Cie makes cases though, not hard drives. You won't know what's inside till you hook it up.

Things I consider when buying external cases;

Does it have a fan in it?
If not is it an aluminum case? (acts as a heatsink)
In both of the drives you linked to, the cases are plastic with no fans. That definitely shortens a drive's life.

On the other hand, they are priced cheaply, about the same as buying just a 500gb drive with no case. I also prefer stackable cases too.

This one is my fav, cause its aluminum, stackable, and you can put either sata or ide drives in it. Plus its cheap.
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/searchtools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=1699319

[CiS]

Sure external drives are great if you need to be able to move them around. I have several of these http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=8360775&type=product&id=1177113149231

I like them because they have 3 year warranties. Plus I bought them through work so I can't complain.

Here are some more to look at on Newegg between 400-750 gigs http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=2010150414+131021357&name=400GB+-+750GB

[SeaPlankton]

Don't like external hard drives as the transfer speed (USB 2.0) is so slow. 60MB/s vs 100MB/s for hard drives (internal). Lastly firewire IEEE 1394b has 100MB/s like an internal hard drive (IDE not SATA).

[SeaPlankton]

USB2 is all the fast you need IMHO.
La Cie makes cases though, not hard drives. You won't know what's inside till you hook it up.

Things I consider when buying external cases;

Does it have a fan in it?
If not is it an aluminum case? (acts as a heatsink)
In both of the drives you linked to, the cases are plastic with no fans. That definitely shortens a drive's life.

On the other hand, they are priced cheaply, about the same as buying just a 500gb drive with no case. I also prefer stackable cases too.

This one is my fav, cause its aluminum, stackable, and you can put either sata or ide drives in it. Plus its cheap.
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/searchtools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=1699319

USB is all the fast you need - I hate waiting for a 4.0 GB multi part film to unpack. So much so I wanted a Raptor HD. These would drive me nutty. Just came across an article for USB 3.0 with much faster speeds, so the developer thought it was like walking through custard too.

[Mels_Smileys45]

Shit, my ex-HD's transfer files fast fast fast! You cant compare moving files around on an internal HD with moving files from your PC. Thats like saying I hate burning DVD's because they are so slow so I just move them around to different folders. Bluh!

I bought a cool WD EX-HD (notebook) 500gig from Best Buy on sale for $99!!!!!! You cant beat that.

[tommygo]

lacie 500 gig i have 4 of em i use em as a backup to all my files and might get another as i need to back up more stuff

[iceman691]

dude i got the lacie 500 USB 2.0 and its sick as hell man
definatly an awesome choice man.