Help me choose an external USB hard drive

cookie_365 · 13-11-2010, 17:43

I need to buy a 2TB external USB drive for weekly backups.

Problem is, I go to Amazon and there are hundreds of the things, and I've no idea how to choose.

So I figure I've never had any problems with Seagate/Freecom/Samsung/WD before, I'll look at those. It seems like every single model has a thousand reviews of which 80% are 4/5 stars, worked perfectly.

Fine, I think.

But the other 20% of reviews all seem to be 1 star titled 'DONT BUY THIS DRIVE!' saying 'I've never had trouble with Seagate/Freecom/Samsung/WD before but within 1 month/week/day/hour/minute/second of turning it on it stopped responding/wouldn't get recognised by windows/caught fire/exploded/reported me to the benefits people and had an affair with my boyfriend'.

So any tips on how to choose a drive, and avoid being one of these 20%?

At least my boyfriend's already run off so that's not going to happen

Peter_ · 13-11-2010, 17:52

The are 4 on this website ranging from Â£94 to Â£117 all well known brands, and they sell much more, maybe someone can point you in the right direction..

http://www.digitalpromo.co.uk/advanc...nal+hard+drive

MTJR · 13-11-2010, 18:03

Anything you buy is capable of being faulty. The downside of allowing reviews like that is the worst ones always seem to stand out.

There's no reason why you won't be one of the 4 out of 5 people who has no problem. The chances of you being the 1 in 5 is slim I would say.

I've always preferred anything that contains a Seagate or Western Digital drive. Actually, I believe that Seagate have a lifetime warranty on their drives but it's been a while since I purchased one.

cookie_365 · 14-11-2010, 14:14

Thanks both, I'll assume the glass is half full

Peter_ · 14-11-2010, 18:02

Quote:

Originally Posted by cookie_365

Thanks both, I'll assume the glass is half full

Check out the prices including delivery and as long as you pick a well known brand you should be fine.

Also check the prices on Amazon if you have not already ordered one.

14-11-2010, 20:35

I would buy a Nas enclosure myself and add my own drives

Peter_ · 14-11-2010, 20:38

Quote:

Originally Posted by ooogemaflop

I would buy a Nas enclosure myself and add my own drives

A lot of people just want plug and play out of the box though.

14-11-2010, 20:51

Personally as an IT professional I like to offer all options as the client can make their own mind up as to what is best. Giving the extra advice allows them to make an educated decision :-)

Peter_ · 14-11-2010, 20:58

Quote:

Originally Posted by ooogemaflop

Personally as an IT professional I like to offer all options as the client can make their own mind up as to what is best. Giving the extra advice allows them to make an educated decision :-)

I know exactly what you mean but was pointing out what many people feel about building equipment rather than taking it out of a box and it just working.

My own PC is home built using a 6 year old ATX case and a state of the art internals, looks old and a bit retro but performs like new.

MadGamer · 14-11-2010, 20:58

I have this one: http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B...ef=oss_product its available in a 2TB version as well

14-11-2010, 21:00

Quote:

Originally Posted by Masque

I know exactly what you mean but was pointing out what many people feel about building equipment rather than taking it out of a box and it just working.

My own PC is home built using a 6 year old ATX case and a state of the art internals, looks old and a bit retro but performs like new.

well ok the op could buy a ready built Nas

I would also like to point out trusting 2Tb of data to a single external drive would be a no way for me deffo

cookie_365 · 14-11-2010, 21:37

Quote:

Originally Posted by MadGamer

I have this one: http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B...ef=oss_product its available in a 2TB version as well

Thanks for all your suggestions. Was already looking at the 2TB version of the one MadGamer suggested but I've gone for this Freecom one instead as I've had no problems with my existing 500Gig Freecom.

And don't worry Ooge, it won't hold the only copies of my stuff

15-11-2010, 14:42

Quote:

Originally Posted by cookie_365

Thanks for all your suggestions. Was already looking at the 2TB version of the one MadGamer suggested but I've gone for this Freecom one instead as I've had no problems with my existing 500Gig Freecom.

And don't worry Ooge, it won't hold the only copies of my stuff

Cool