USB Powered External

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clickclickw00t

[H]ard|Gawd
Joined
Dec 14, 2005
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I need a USB powered external HD 120GB or over. Has to be over 5400RPM. USB 2.0 a must, but firewire800 is a really nice plus. Has to be decently fast, but mostly for storage of music/pics. I need it for my macbook pro.

Max price is around $150. The cheaper the better though. Any suggestions? My first choice is the WD Passport...
 
What do you mean by "USB powered"? Connected only to USB, or to USB and wall power?
 
If connected only to USB is what you want, then you're limited to 2.5" drives. Probably about $75 for 120 GB 5400 RPM. Not sure how much for an enclosure, probably < $10 if you want to go really cheap.
 
Yea, powered by USB meaning no power cord. I dont care if its 2.5inch. In fact, its probably better if it is.

As I said, price isnt that much of an issue. What would be the advantage of buying an HD and enclosure as opposed to just buying a premade one?
 
It's usually cheaper, and you know exactly what drive you're getting.
 
7200 RPM drives over USB only are sort of problematic. USB is limited to 500 mA, at 5 volts - thus, you get a maximum 2.5 watts to power your drive. Some USB ports will provide more than 500 mA, but at the expense of stability.

Nonetheless, it may work. Good luck.
 
I am looking at the same thing. Just looking for something to carry db files to/from work/home. I don't want to mess around crawling under the desk every night unplugging the power adapter.

Here are two that fit the bill.

Best Buy has the HP 80gb Pocket drive on sale for $79.95. 8mb cache, 2 connectors on the pc end of the usb cable to pull power from 2 usb ports, 1yr waranty, formatted NTSF, and from what I have read somewhat better software included.

Best Buy also has a 120gb WD Passport on sale for $89.95. 2mb cache, single connector on the pc end of a short usb cable, 3 yr waranty, formatted FAT32.

Hmmm, $10 for extra 40gb. But how much difference would 8mb cache on the HP make? Would the 2 usb connectors on the pc end avoid some of the problems I have read about the Passports? Two years more waranty on the Passport.

This may be one of those things you analyze to death and then go to the store and grab whatever is left in stock. I suppose at the end of the day it doesn't make much difference. Heck, I have paid more for thumb drives!

good Luck!
 
I'd go with the WD, simply because they are a HDD company and from what I hear, have great customer support (I've never actually needed to use it :D ). Plus it's 40GB more and only needs one plug.
 
Just to follow up.... I went with the HP Pocket Drive. The reasons that swayed me after looking at both products were:
Metal case instead of plastic
Nice heavy cloth zippered carrying case included
8 mb cache
Two USB connectors on the PC end (not needed for USB 2.0, but nice to have if the USB port does not provide enough current)
I didn't cut myself trying to open a cheap $@%% blister pack! :)

It boiled down to personal preference. These USB disk drives are pretty much a commodity anymore and most will probably perfom as well as the other.

Oh yeah, it works like a charm!

Good Luck!
 
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