A Good Fast Dependable External Drive?

[Phil3]

I am looking for a reasonably quick and reliable external hard drive that is 500GB - 1TB in size and can use USB 3.0. It does not matter if it needs an external power supply or not, but the absence of one would be nice. Auto-backup is also a plus. Portability is not that important. Most files are small in size, with virtually none larger than a few megabytes. I have a Corsair 650d case with a door on top where you can plug in a SATA drive, and while that would be fast, no good way I know of to take drive to another computer, such as a laptop.

I am considering Western Digital and Seagate, but there are many models to choose from. Recommendations?

Thank you.

- Phil

 

[MarkLuvsCS]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16822136756 $70 for 750gb after coupon code

WD has smartware software for their drives that allow you to setup backups through their software. This drive is also portable so it will be a bit slower than a 3.5" drive but it won't be that large a difference.

 

[Dahak]

Personally I've used the wd drives, and have setup wd drives with the smartware software for other people. by default it will automatically backup you user profile (ie docs,pics,music,video) but you can specify other folders as well.

 

[jiffylube1024]

You could also use any SATA hard drive with the case's SATA dock on the top and then for the laptop use one of these:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817153133

 

[corkyg]

I would get an external case and put any drive I wished in it.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817392039

 

[Bill Brasky]

I would get an external case and put any drive I wished in it.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817392039

This. I *always* just buy external enclosures. When it's time for an upgrade you can just swap out the drive.

 

[Interitus]

^ +1

I have one of these:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817173042

They come in silver as well and they have USB 3.0 versions available.

Built in fan with on/off switch, power switch, simple disassembly.

 

[Bill Brasky]

^ +1

I have one of these:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817173042

They come in silver as well and they have USB 3.0 versions available.

Built in fan with on/off switch, power switch, simple disassembly.

Hey, that's a pretty fancy enclosure. I might have to pick one up myself. Hmm....

 

[stargazr]

I also have a Rosewill enclosure, this USB 3.0 model -

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817182211

I haven't seen many like this with a fan and on/off switch.