External hard drive suggestions?

[aimster]

I'm thinking of getting an external hard drive to store the bulk of photos and music on to free up the hard drive on my PC a bit. What are some good brands to consider that are under $200?

[Brain Toad]

I got myself a Fantom 250GB for under $100. Haven't had it that long to judge how good it is, but it does have good reviews on newegg. My only complaint is how bright the LED is when it's on, but that be fixed with some duct tape placed carefully over only the LED.

I'd recommend browsing NewEgg for an external hard drive or any computer stuff because they generally seem to run cheaper.

[Sully]

Is your PC a laptop by chance?

Do you have a home wireless network?

If you answered "yes" to both then I have a recommendation.

D-Link MediaLounge Wireless-G Network Storage Enclosure
Model: DSM-G600

You can pick one up from Best Buy's web site for $99 right now:

http://tinyurl.com/2scpda

This is an excellent price consider they list for close to $300 and even Amazon.com sells it for $160.

While you're there get one of these:

Western Digital 320GB Internal Parallel ATA Hard Drive
Model: WD3200JBRTL

Those are $98.39 on Best Buy's website at this link:

http://tinyurl.com/yvyjjv

When they arrive install the hard drive in the enclosure, very easy and only requires removing two screws. The instructions are simple to follow.

Now you have a 320GB wireless drive accessible from any computer on your network.

A cool feature is it has a built in FTP server so with a little port forwarding on your router you can access this drive from anywhere you have an Internet connection.

Another cool feature is it supports UPnP AV so if you have a Xbox 360, PS3 or other device that supports this then you can use that device to play video, music or photos off the DSM-G600.

If you don't have a laptop or wireless network then I would suggest a Western Digital MyBook external drive. These support USB 1.1/2.0 and Firewire and come in a variety of sizes. You can get a 500GB for about $150. They come with backup software and support "push button" backups. With "push button" backups, you basically push a button on the drive and it backs up your computer.

Here is a link to them on Amazon:
http://tinyurl.com/27m4el

I have one on these and have connected it to my new DSM-G600 via one of its two USB 2.0 ports and now that is available wirelessly.

[aimster]

Is your PC a laptop by chance?

Do you have a home wireless network?

No. And.... no.

Hoping that might change in another year or 2 though. I feel like I'm the only one left that doesn't have a laptop!

[Sully]

Originally Posted by aimster

No. And.... no.

Hoping that might change in another year or 2 though. I feel like I'm the only one left that doesn't have a laptop!

No worries, the longer you wait the smaller, faster, cheaper they become.

I still suggest the Western Digital MyBook in my last post, though.

[Sambo]

The MyBook we have at work has major strange now-you-see-it, now-you-don't problems. But WD is a good supplier.

Truth be told, there are tons of under $200 external drives. FRY's just had a Segate 500 gig for $119 - and currently have an Acomdata 500 gig for $109...

[penguinsoda]

Seagate and Maxtor are pretty good brands, and reliable from my experience.

[aimster]

I've had experience with Maxtor and Western Digital internal drives and they've served me well.

I'm hoping Santa finally brings me a MacBook this year, but I'm not gonna hold my breath.

[CUatDL]

Another vote for Segate and Maxtor. I have been using them exclusively for external backup drives for several years and so far, so good. (Knock wood!)

CU@DL

Andy