external storage comparison?

[speedlever]

I've been interested in doing something about backing up my desktop and my laptop for some time. I just need to do it.

I found a couple of options with rebates and wondered how they would perform.

CompUSA has the Seagate Barracuda 160GB internal ATA/100 drive (ST3160023A-RK) for ~$40 after rebates. Add an external enclosure and I'd be set.

Circuit City has the Seagate External Hard Drive (ST3160026A-RK) after rebate for ~$100.

I figure the costs would be pretty close after getting a decent enclosure for the internal drive.

Would they perform similarly? I have both USB2 and Firewire ports available on both computers. I also have 60Gb + 30Gb + 80Gb drives between the two computers..

Any suggestions for a decent enclosure?

Thanks!

 

[Quasmo]

you can get an enclosure for about $35. (both USB and firewire)

 

[erwos]

The external Seagate drive only has a one year warranty, AFAIK. Don't buy it.

 

[speedlever]

Good point about the warranty. The internal drive carries a 5 year warranty.

Anyone know if placing an internal drive in an enclosure adversely afftects the warranty? I've heard that external drives are built tougher.

Edit: Deleted enclosure question. Added warranty question.