Recommend external hard drive

[KingstonU]

I'm looking for a portable/durable external HDD. It must not require it's own power supply, powered through the USB cord only. I need ~2TB (at least 1TB) and would like USB 3.0.

This will be a backup for several years so reliability is more important than cost effectiveness. 2.5" (smaller) preferred but not required.

Will just any external do or are there models in particular to avoid? Are 1TB more reliable than 2TB or 3TB models?

How is this WD 2TB? or this Seagate 2TB?

In Canada, Thanks.

 

[Elixer]

This will be a backup for several years so reliability is more important than cost effectiveness. 2.5" (smaller) preferred but not required.

If you want reliable, then you need more than one backup.
No exceptions.

 

[VirtualLarry]

It must be self-powered through the USB cord.

Does not compute.

In USB terminology, "self-powered" means it has a power brick that plugs into the wall.

"Bus-powered" means that it is completely powered off of the USB port power.

 

[KingstonU]

Corrected "self-powered" to "must not require its own power supply, powered by USB cord".

Does anyone have a particular unit they recommend for or against? How about the two that I listed?

 

[Charlie98]

I have 2 500GB Seagates, I like them fine. Oddly enough, one is a 5400RPM drive, the other, the newer one is a 7200RPM drive. They are both USB 3.0 and power from the USB cord.

 

[pauldun170]

I'm looking for a portable/durable external HDD. It must not require it's own power supply, powered through the USB cord only. I need ~2TB (at least 1TB) and would like USB 3.0.

This will be a backup for several years so reliability is more important than cost effectiveness. 2.5" (smaller) preferred but not required.

Will just any external do or are there models in particular to avoid? Are 1TB more reliable than 2TB or 3TB models?

How is this WD 2TB? or this Seagate 2TB?

In Canada, Thanks.

Does not compute.

In USB terminology, "self-powered" means it has a power brick that plugs into the wall.

"Bus-powered" means that it is completely powered off of the USB port power.

Corrected "self-powered" to "must not require its own power supply, powered by USB cord".

Does anyone have a particular unit they recommend for or against? How about the two that I listed?

WD Elelments
http://www.microcenter.com/product/...uperSpeed_USB_30_Portable_External_Hard_Drive
WD essentials
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16822236449
WD Passport
http://www.microcenter.com/product/...uperSpeed_USB_30_Portable_External_Hard_Drive

 

[alangrift]

WD hard-drives are the best. Get one with USB power. Also I don't think there should be a difference in quality between 1TB, 2TB or 3TB. They are pretty much normal HDs in a box with a USB connection.

 

[pauldun170]

WD hard-drives are the best. Get one with USB power. Also I don't think there should be a difference in quality between 1TB, 2TB or 3TB. They are pretty much normal HDs in a box with a USB connection.

About the WD externals such as the elements series... They are not exactly "normal" It isn't a regular WD green\blue\black plugged into an external case. Its a hardwired proprietry setup. If the drive or the connector goes south...you pretty much chuck the whole unit in the trash. Unless you feel like getting all popular mechanics on it...then you break out the soldering iron and try not to set fire to things.

 

[somran]

If you are looking for reliability, then you should look for more than one external hard drive. I have 2 Seagates of 500GB too and they work just fine for me.