Which External Drive?

[OrangeWolf]

Hey there,

I want to purchase a new external hard drive for back-up and travel. Right now I have a 320GB WD My Book that I have used for years but I am giving that one to my mother.

This time I am hoping to get a "portable" drive. I've spent more time carrying this full size one around than I have spent leaving it on my desk, so it seems a good idea. Also helps that you don't have to plug the portable ones into a wall.

I have been waiting for Western Digital to release a portable "Elements" drive using USB 3.0 but they haven't yet and I am wanting to buy this soon-ish. I would like USB 3.0 because that seems to be on the horizon and I intend to use this drive for years.

The non-Elements versions of WD drives (I.e. the Passports) have USB 3.0 but also appear to have some kind of software installed. I have avoided them because of that, but I don't know how bad/irritating the software would be. I just don't want to wait to use/close some program every time I plug my hard drive in to read a file unless it actually helps more than irritates.

Any ideas what I should buy?

 

[Wipeout]

There's a utility on the WD site that disables that software, at least for my 500GB Passport.

 

[OrangeWolf]

Anyone able to comment on whether or not that software is useful and/or irritating, or know of another good portable external other than the WD ones?