Need an external HD, but specifics...

[maxiedaniels]

Okay, so I'm looking for a new external HD. It doesn't need to be huge (100-160GB would be nice). But I need it to be USB powered. And I need to know how to get it working (read+write) on both Mac and Windows... possible?
Also, I will be using the drive for music creation, specifically with Pro Tools. I hear that you need to use a fast drive (7200RPM?) for this purpose, and I don't know if there are 7200rpm usb powered drives..

 

[Xeth]

Your best bet is to buy a 2.5" enclosure and a 7200rpm laptop drive. If performance is really critical get a firewire enclosure instead of USB.

 

[drizzt81]

I bought a USB enclosure about 6 months ago that worked fine with 2.5" 7200rpm drives. It used two USB ports to get up to 600mA of current.
It was similar to these:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817145124
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817146034

IIIRC it was an AMC version.

Aside: Given the speed limit of USB enclosures, it really should matter little whether you use a 7200rpm or 5400rpm drive.

 

[maxiedaniels]

I guess I should be using firewire then. Any firewire suggestions?

 

[maxiedaniels]

No music people know what I'm talking about?
I've heard many times that if you are recording from ProTools onto an external drive, you really need a 7200rpm drive..
And also, I've got a macbook pro.. it only has two usb slots, and one of them has to be taken when I'm recording music, so therefore a two-usb enclosure would not work for me. Is that a necessity for 7200rpm drives?