External HD

[006r]

What's good? I don't need anything real big, probably looking at 160-320gb. Should I get the USB powered one or the kind you need to plug in? 2.5" vs 3.5"? RPM? Just looking to backup important documents and pictures. Andy, do you ever get good deals on these?

[Dizmm]

3.5 HDD, cheaper, require its own power source
2.5 HDD, more expensive, USB powerable

cost on 500GB (3.5) SATA 7200rpm HDD w/USB HDD Enclosure - $90

[SgtRauksauff]

Dang, that's a good price!!

What about for the same, only 2.5"?

I'm still using a crappy old 60GB IDE laptop drive (may only be 5400rpm, but I think it's 7200) in a RocketFish usb enclosure from BestBuy. Works just fine for my uses so far (mostly just mp3's, that I play at work.)

But an external massive drive might be handy for a few other things. does that enclosure have both USB and IEEE1394(firewire)?

--sarge

[Dizmm]

those smaller notebook hard drives (2.5) are much more expensive especially at 7200 rpms. Probably twice the price.