I’m looking for an external backup hard drive.
Western Digital “My Book” (Model # WDH1B10000) has been recommended. An Internet price check reveals an average of about $230 for 1TB capacity.
Any one have experience with this product?
Any on-line merchants to AVOID?
Thanks.
Designed by IDEO.
Looks nice, has a “fuel gauge” on the front.
Available at Costco $299 for 2TB.
haven’t heard anything good or bad, but i suspect you end up paying a premium for the brand/design.
I recently picked up a 1000GB External HD Firewire400/USB/eSata drive that is put together by a local computer supplier from a macally case with an added internal drive (Seagate Barracuda 7200.11 - Hard Drive - 1TB internal - 3.5in - SATA 3GB/s - 7200RPM - 32MB ) for what equates to $210USD.
Looks nice too (all aluminum)
R
You can save money frequently if you just go to newegg and buy your own external enclosure and then just get an “internal” hard drive to make your own. That’s how I’ve done mine for the past few years and they’ve always been cheaper than an equivalent external.
I got one of the m books a few years ago. It works, but I there are really some things that bother me.
#1. the gauge to tell you how full it is I dont get. Apparently it is somewhere in the ring of light? I however, dont see anything. it basically just flashes at me or stays on full.
#2. The on/off button. Looking at the package, I thought the button as in th middle of the ring. I pushed that but nothing was happening. Turns out, all I have to do is touch the thing. I usually just give it a squeeze and it turns on/off. This has been problematic when I need to move it. its irritating when it goes off/on unpredictably.
Other than that it has been pretty decent. No failures and fast transfer times. Its quiet and never gets too hot. Also looks nice (although I dont know what the grid on the outside says).
Richard, joyride, thanks for the feedback.
The McCally case is attractive, and for $35US from newegg, add the Seagate from also from newegg for another $80 and what’s not to like? I couldn’t find any information about physical size. Nothing critical fit/form on my part, would just like to know.
However: I’ve been reading up on this particular HD; lots of reports of out-of- the-box DOA reports (due to poor packaging from Seagate), and many reports of failure after 3-4 months, firmware issues, etc.
How old is yours Richard? Any problems?
joyride, I’ve never attempted to “build” electronic equipment. Any software/hardware pitfalls I should be worried about.?
Thanks, Lew
ref:
Seagate Barracuda 7200.11 ST31000333AS 1TB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive
McCally G-S350SU
High-Speed eSATA/USB2.0 External Storage Enclosure for 3.5" SATA HDD
http://www.macally.com/EN/Product/ArticleShow.asp?ArticleID=209
I’ve only had it for a couple of months, but no problem. Is use it only as my backup drive connected to my mac for TimeMachine. The size is about the size of a small hardcover book. approx. 8" x 6" x 1.5" The stand it’s on is a separate part, and it also comes with pads so you can put it flat on a table, if you like. I’ve never “rolled my own”, but I can’t imagine it would be that hard.
Another nice looking drive is the LaCie Niel Poulton one. I have that as well, hooked up to my Airport. But it’s only USB.
R
R, thanks again.
I’m planning on using this for backup on our home computer.
Just found a Western Digital Mybook 1TB on sale for $96US, comes with all the cables . … but I have to buy it before 18:00 tomorrow night… sheesh, a hundred semolians… … thnk I’m gonna spring for it.
I can always return it if it goes tango-uniform within 90 days.