Tech query

[juliet]

A conversation elsewhere on LJ reminded me that I've been meaning to sort out an external HDD for my laptop (for backup purposes). I had a couple of questions which some of you may be able to assist with...

1) Is there anywhere other than Dabs I can get this kit easily? (Expansys don't seem to do the right things)

2) Is it safe to assume that a USB drive will come with cable attached?

3) If I have a 60GB disk, is it sensible to get 80GB, or should I go for more, in a future-proofing sort of way?

4) I want USB (so I could use it with the PC as well), but is it worth paying for a drive that also has Firewire - can anyone tell me how much the speed difference is in practice from a Powerbook?

Am considering (in price order):
LaCie 80GB USB2 - needs power cable, which is a nuisance; states that it includes cable
Maxtor One-Touch 80GB USB2 - doesn't have specs so no idea about power cable; has this 'one touch' thing where you just hit a button & it Works Magically. Unconvinced it's worth an extra £12, though.
LaCie mobile 60GB USB2 - no power cable needed, easy to cart around.
CrossFire 160GB USB2 & FireWire - doesn't say it needs a power cable, though it might.

All opinion/comment appreciated...

Comments

[hatter.livejournal.com]

Yeah, although you can probably upgrade the premade ones, they can be a bit harder work, whereas the ones sold that way are designed to be easier to get apart. You know where to find me if you can't source a spare drive closer to home.


the hatter

[juliet]

TBH I intend to just buy one; trying to get a spare off someone means organisational hassle, mostly (& given that I've been meaning to sort this out for *months*, giving myself the minimum available hassle seems wise :-) ) But thanks!

[wintrmute.livejournal.com]

I second the suggestion of building your own though. The enclosures are really cheap, and so are harddrives for that matter. ANd then you can decide exactly what size/speed/quality etc that you want..

ebuyer.co.uk is v.cheap and has good service too btw (cheaper than dabs at least)

[simonb.livejournal.com]

Hard drives are cheap, so long as you're looking at 3½" desktop-style drives. If you're looking at 2½" laptop-style drives, which some of the enclosures need, then they aren't so cheap at all. They also tend to run slower as well, mainly to reduce their heat output and power consumption.