Help W/ Choice On External

thisisaustin · thisisaustin #1 (**permalink**)

03-19-2009, 02:57 PM

Hey guys, I'm looking for a safe external that is reasonably portable!
I need you guy's opinions please.

The Requirements: Can not require power cable (I'd prefer to not mess with that), Must be either 500 gigs or 1T. It must be configured for Mac & PC!!!

I've looked at Apple's Time Capsule and I like it alot. But I may just go with something simple and cheaper. I've looked at some others as well buy I want you guy's opinions pleasse!!!

bobtomay · bobtomay #2 (**permalink**)

03-19-2009, 05:26 PM

Am thinking you've got a whole lot of looking to do.

The Time Capsule is out because is requires a power cable.

Why must it be configured as FAT32 from the factory? You can do that yourself once you get the drive. It's pointless to rule out a drive because of that.

Maybe, but I don't think you're going to find any drives over about 80 GB (maybe 160 GB) that do not require a separate power cable.

500 GB or 1 TB: That's a significant difference (half or double, depending on your viewpoint) in two drives. Sounds like you need more consideration in what size drive you really need.

But, if you really want to find one to fit all those parameters, here are 94 externals from 400 GB to 800 GB, and here are 63 drives at 1 TB.

nZa · nZa #3 (**permalink**)

03-19-2009, 05:39 PM

I have not seen any drives larger than 500gigs that do not require power.

I'm not sure which brand is best.

Amazon.com: Maxtor STM905003OTA3E1-RK OneTouch 4 Mini 500GB Portable Hard Drive: Electronics

Here's a USB-powered 500gb Maxtor, just to show that they do exist, lolz

bobtomay · bobtomay #4 (**permalink**)

03-19-2009, 06:38 PM

Well, that's nice to know. I haven't taken a hard look at drives in about a year now.

Although, I wouldn't touch that one with a 10 foot pole, just based on the ratings. 30 at 1 star and 27 at 4 or more. And it does require power. It just uses a 2nd USB port for power. No power adapter with it. So now you have a drive that takes up 2 of your USB ports.

thisisaustin · thisisaustin #5 (**permalink**)

03-19-2009, 07:37 PM

so your saying if i just buy one configured for mac.. then i can still configure it for a pc? how would I do this?

bobtomay · bobtomay #6 (**permalink**)

03-19-2009, 08:30 PM

To have a drive that is readable both in OS X and in Windows, you would format the drive as FAT32 by using Disk Utility.

Vinny Vegas · Vinny Vegas #7 (**permalink**)

03-21-2009, 09:30 PM

Sorry to bump in on this topic but it fits what I'm looking for...so sorry for high jacking thread...

But I'm fairly newby...Nov 08 SWITCHER...have a currrent EHD but want to add another so I have a backup to backup...nervous something will go wrong or that someone told me all EHDs will go bad.

What EHD is best for price? 250-500 GB size...I have the MBP

Thx

rocketman766 · rocketman766 #8 (**permalink**)

03-21-2009, 10:23 PM

I have this one, works great!!
Western Digital - My Passport Studio 500GB External USB 2.0/FireWire Portable Hard Drive - WDMT5000TN

osxx · osxx #9 (**permalink**)

03-22-2009, 10:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rocketman766

I have this one, works great!!
Western Digital - My Passport Studio 500GB External USB 2.0/FireWire Portable Hard Drive - WDMT5000TN

I have several friends that use this and I must say they are quite and very
portable but not sure any of them use it for both Mac and PC they usually
have a separate one for that.

bobtomay #2 (permalink)
Member Since: Dec 22, 2006 Location: Texas, where else? Posts: 21,788 Mac Specs: 15" MBP 2.33 C2D 256 4GB, MBA 13" i7 1.8, MB 2.0 2GB, Nano 4th, 3GS, iPad 1	03-19-2009, 05:26 PM Am thinking you've got a whole lot of looking to do. The Time Capsule is out because is requires a power cable. Why must it be configured as FAT32 from the factory? You can do that yourself once you get the drive. It's pointless to rule out a drive because of that. Maybe, but I don't think you're going to find any drives over about 80 GB (maybe 160 GB) that do not require a separate power cable. 500 GB or 1 TB: That's a significant difference (half or double, depending on your viewpoint) in two drives. Sounds like you need more consideration in what size drive you really need. But, if you really want to find one to fit all those parameters, here are 94 externals from 400 GB to 800 GB, and here are 63 drives at 1 TB. I cannot be held responsible for the things that come out of my mouth. In the Windows world, most everything folks don't understand is called a virus. Place your vote for our Member of the Month
	QUOTE Thanks

bobtomay #4 (permalink)
Member Since: Dec 22, 2006 Location: Texas, where else? Posts: 21,788 Mac Specs: 15" MBP 2.33 C2D 256 4GB, MBA 13" i7 1.8, MB 2.0 2GB, Nano 4th, 3GS, iPad 1	03-19-2009, 06:38 PM Well, that's nice to know. I haven't taken a hard look at drives in about a year now. Although, I wouldn't touch that one with a 10 foot pole, just based on the ratings. 30 at 1 star and 27 at 4 or more. And it does require power. It just uses a 2nd USB port for power. No power adapter with it. So now you have a drive that takes up 2 of your USB ports. I cannot be held responsible for the things that come out of my mouth. In the Windows world, most everything folks don't understand is called a virus. Place your vote for our Member of the Month
	QUOTE Thanks

bobtomay #6 (permalink)
Member Since: Dec 22, 2006 Location: Texas, where else? Posts: 21,788 Mac Specs: 15" MBP 2.33 C2D 256 4GB, MBA 13" i7 1.8, MB 2.0 2GB, Nano 4th, 3GS, iPad 1	03-19-2009, 08:30 PM To have a drive that is readable both in OS X and in Windows, you would format the drive as FAT32 by using Disk Utility. I cannot be held responsible for the things that come out of my mouth. In the Windows world, most everything folks don't understand is called a virus. Place your vote for our Member of the Month
	QUOTE Thanks

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thisisaustin #1 (permalink)
Member Since: Mar 19, 2009 Posts: 2	03-19-2009, 02:57 PM Hey guys, I'm looking for a safe external that is reasonably portable! I need you guy's opinions please. The Requirements: Can not require power cable (I'd prefer to not mess with that), Must be either 500 gigs or 1T. It must be configured for Mac & PC!!! I've looked at Apple's Time Capsule and I like it alot. But I may just go with something simple and cheaper. I've looked at some others as well buy I want you guy's opinions pleasse!!!
	QUOTE Thanks

thisisaustin #5 (permalink)
Member Since: Mar 19, 2009 Posts: 2	03-19-2009, 07:37 PM so your saying if i just buy one configured for mac.. then i can still configure it for a pc? how would I do this?
	QUOTE Thanks

Vinny Vegas #7 (permalink)
Member Since: Oct 21, 2008 Location: TEXAS Posts: 46	03-21-2009, 09:30 PM Sorry to bump in on this topic but it fits what I'm looking for...so sorry for high jacking thread... But I'm fairly newby...Nov 08 SWITCHER...have a currrent EHD but want to add another so I have a backup to backup...nervous something will go wrong or that someone told me all EHDs will go bad. What EHD is best for price? 250-500 GB size...I have the MBP Thx
	QUOTE Thanks

rocketman766 #8 (permalink)
Member Since: Oct 21, 2008 Location: Buffalo Posts: 140 Mac Specs: MBP 17" Glossy 2.16 gHz/2gig/320g	03-21-2009, 10:23 PM I have this one, works great!! Western Digital - My Passport Studio 500GB External USB 2.0/FireWire Portable Hard Drive - WDMT5000TN
	QUOTE Thanks

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