External HDD choices

[Vinceisg0d]

Hi there

So I'm now purchasing a external HDD, but the problem is- it will be with futureshop.ca gift certificates.

I'm looking for 275-400$ canadian, and preferably 1TB+.

Looking at the brands, that leaves LaCie(?), Seagate and Comstar. After seeing those, I think Seagate- as that's what I'm most familiar with. However, the highest storage space Seagate is 750.

Now, I've never even heard of LaCie before, and reading the reviews of the Comstar, it's very, very loud.

So, my question is- what do y'all think? Any opinions on these peticular HDDs? Perhaps they might have the 1TB seagate in the store, but not online (very unlikely).

 

[Vinceisg0d]

Any ideas? Would like some opinons on LaCie.

 

[Vinceisg0d]

Wow!

I went to futureshop and they had ONE WD MyBook 1TB in stock. They weren't listed on the site either.

The best thing? Every other HD was 349$, this one was 269$

What luck.

 

[lxskllr]

Congratulations :^) Sorry I couldn't give advice, I didn't have any :^/

 

[Vinceisg0d]

Hehe It's no problem! I am so excited.

 

[Vinceisg0d]

Okay... so I'm transferring files over and it says not enough space if I select a bunch of files and put em over (Huge files, 4GB+, but there's enough space).

However, if I just drag the one file over one at a time (the one that error'd me) it goes fine.

Hmm.

 

[Vinceisg0d]

Crap, I didn't notice because it doesn't say it on the box... Just assumed it was 7200, unfortunately it's:

WDH1U10000-00
/ WDH1U10000 USB 2.0 5400 1 TB (1000 GB) 8.9 ms 16 MB more info N/A

Should i return it for one of the 7200RPM ones? Either LaCie or Comstar?

Will I notice the speed much?

 

[lxskllr]

What are you using the drive for? If it's for backups, and you don't mind starting it before bed, I'd just keep the drive. If you're going to use it for day to day computing you might want to get a 7200 rpm drive.

 

[Vinceisg0d]

Yea... Day to day.

Where would be the best place to post for help about this?

Also, how would getting an external drive closure and drive to go in that work?

Another thing, which someone might know: If I paid with gift certificates, and ask to return it (Which I'm going to. Especially with the errors I'm coming across while transferring files onto it.), will I get money back, store credit, or gift cards? (Translations: Can I return it and spend my money elsewhere, or will I be forced to purchase something there).

 

[Boyd117]

I would personally build my own ext hdd, as this way you can pick the hdd you want and put it in a unique case...and it is usually a lot cheaper to do it this way then to buy it retail from a store.

 

[Vinceisg0d]

If I can get a money refund instead of store credit I'd like to pick up:

http://ncix.com/products/index...55&manufacture=Hitachi

not sure which drive enclosure yet though

 

[Vinceisg0d]

Sorry to ask again, but it's somewhat of a rush

Are there any other forums that are more knowledgeable on this subject I can go towards?

HDDs don't seem to fit in any, really.

 

[Boyd117]

Any enclosure is good as long as it has good transfer rate (480mps) and that it can support sata, you can even get enclosures that support multiple drives so you could save money by buying two 500gb drives and placing them in raid in the enclosure. As for other forums I couldn't tell you because I'm not to sure, just a general knowledge of hard drives is needed to make an external hdd.

 

[Old Hippie]

it says not enough space if I select a bunch of files and put em over (Huge files, 4GB+, but there's enough space).

Probably formatted in FAT32? Reformat to NTFS if ya wanna do big files.

/ WDH1U10000 USB 2.0 5400 1 TB (1000 GB) 8.9 ms 16 MB more info N/A

I didn't even know they made a 1TB, 5400 unit. :shocked:

(Translations: Can I return it and spend my money elsewhere, or will I be forced to purchase something there).

You'll probably get back the type of "currency" you used for the purchase.....store "dollars". That's the way it's always worked for me. YMMV.

I can only find two 3.5 external enclosures on the Futureshop site. Kinda strange cause there were three yesterday. One is for an IDE drive, one is for SATA. Not a lotta choices! :frown:


Good Luck!

 

[lxskllr]

Originally posted by: Old Hippie

I can only find two 3.5 external enclosures on the Futureshop site. Kinda strange cause there were three yesterday. One is for an IDE drive, one is for SATA. Not a lotta choices! :frown:


Good Luck!

When the OP first asked the question that was the direction I was going to look in. I didn't see much in the way of internal HDs though :^/ I never even got to looking at the enclosures.

 

[Old Hippie]

When the OP first asked the question that was the direction I was going to look in. I didn't see much in the way of internal HDs though :^/ I never even got to looking at the enclosures.

I did the exact same thing! Pickin's are slim at the Futureshop! :thumbsdown:

OP, if you can fix the file error problem with a format to NTFS, I'm voting you keep it.

 

[Vinceisg0d]

Thank you for your vote Hippie.

I did some research yesterday and there seemed to be a lot of good reviews of the LaCie drive.

It's supposedly faster, quieter, better in everyway- aside from physical looks. Where the MyBook is superior.

Also, the MyBook doesn't have firewire, or an on/off switch as well.

 

[MegaVovaN]

LaCie probably uses hard drive from one of major manufacturers, i.e. seagate, wd, hitachi

 

[Old Hippie]

Hey Ya Vince! To me, all these premade externals are the same. I only Roll-My-Own and encourage everyone else to do the same. Longer warrantys, troubleshooting drive/case problems, and active cooling are major factors (for me) for external storage.

Also, the MyBook doesn't have firewire, or an on/off switch as well.

If ya need FW, that's a plus. I use eSATA. I guess the MyBook spins down?

Good Luck with whatever you decide!

 

[Vinceisg0d]

Okay. I picked up the LaCie. Overall very impressed. Seems like a much higher product quality in terms of- well, everything. Packaging, cords, looks.

It also came formatted as NTFS- shouldn't have to change anything should I? Just plug in and go, I mean.

As for noise, I'm transferring now and I was listening for it and forgot about it. Doesn't make a sound- yet.

 

[lxskllr]

Originally posted by: Vinceisg0d


As for noise, I'm transferring now and I was listening for it and forgot about it. Doesn't make a sound- yet.

You plugged it in, right?

 

[Vinceisg0d]

lol

Yea I was quite surprised of how quiet it was.

 

[MegaVovaN]

Reviews on intarwebs are quite unfair sometimes. (example: ZOMG LaCie IS JET LOUD!!!!!!!!!!11111111111111)