Hard Drive recommendations
I get asked this question a lot... so I've decided to put my answer on line... and this way I can refer to my own answer when I forget it!
What should I buy for an external hard drive? Are [insert brandname here] good?
I have moved away from buying pre-built drives. Here's how I build my own now:
Step 1 - buy your drives "naked" --- I like these right now:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136317
1TB storage - $80
Now, you need something to put them in. There are two ways to go with this. Both have good and bad about them.
First - you buy an enclosure for every drive that you purchase. This may get a little expensive - but you are paying for a good power supply - internal fan - and myriad of connection options:
So you have 1TB storage for a bit over $200 (including shipping)
One of the main reasons that I like this enclosure is that it uses a generic power cable to connect to the wall.
Between decks and PCs, these cables just start multiplying anyways - so you never worry about keeping the correct one attached to the correct drive.
The other option is one that I'm using full time at work - and am quite fond of:
I put one of these at each station that needs to access the "naked" drives:
"RTX100H-Q" - $225 from: http://www.wiebetech.com/products/RTX100.php
Then I keep the naked drives in safe storage with these: http://www.wiebetech.com/products/cases.php ($5.50 each)
It pays for itself pretty quickly. And the Weibetech guys are great with support.
Do I ever break my own rules and purchase a pre-built drive for home?
Yes - I tend to purchase the Glyph drives (small portable ones) mostly.