external hard drive recommendations anyone?

[browndog]

I have a G5 Mac, need an external hard drive to back up documents, pictures, etc.

I bought a maxtor, but it is super super NOT user friendly.

Any suggestions on a new one????

Thank you!!

[xer 21]

i know that the western digital Mybook series is very reliable and easy to use (just plug it in and its good after it auto installs drivers) i also just bought a seagate freeagent 1.5 TB drive for 150 at best buy that has been very easy to use. both are pretty fast and run cool too. also, both work with mac, although i think you might need to buy a mac edition for one of them.

[madeinhawaii]

Since it's for the backup of documents, how about this?
160MB
http://cgi.ebay.com/NEW-160GB-USB-Exter ... 7C294%3A50
320MB
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... 0125495642
500MB
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... 0050542333


Something pocket-sized with software specifically for the MAC.

[browndog]

thank you for the advice!!

- da browndog

[Irse]

Costco has some on sale with a coupon right now. I tend to make my own. Buy a drive on sale and put it in an enclosure. That way if the drive fails, just put another one in the same enclosure.

[thanohano44]

I DO WHAT IRSE DOES. I also have a Buffalo 1TB that I use on trips and it's very fast, easy to use and set up.

[xer 21]

Costco has some on sale with a coupon right now. I tend to make my own. Buy a drive on sale and put it in an enclosure. That way if the drive fails, just put another one in the same enclosure.

so, do you use a esata connection?

[GARRISON]

That would depend on how valuable those documents, photos are to you.

In the video editing world, stay away from LaCies. Find externals that use Hitachi drives as they come highly recommended. And a RAID set up (mirrored drives) helps prevent ANY tragic loss.

http://www.lafcpug.org/phorum/read.php? ... msg-232266

[madeinhawaii]

Costco has some on sale with a coupon right now. I tend to make my own. Buy a drive on sale and put it in an enclosure. That way if the drive fails, just put another one in the same enclosure.

I take apart the ones that die and replace the hard drive in the case that the previous one came in. Works the same way.

[Irse]

Costco has some on sale with a coupon right now. I tend to make my own. Buy a drive on sale and put it in an enclosure. That way if the drive fails, just put another one in the same enclosure.

so, do you use a esata connection?

esata

Costco has some on sale with a coupon right now. I tend to make my own. Buy a drive on sale and put it in an enclosure. That way if the drive fails, just put another one in the same enclosure.

I take apart the ones that die and replace the hard drive in the case that the previous one came in. Works the same way.

I tried that but the HD was in there so good that I ruined the enclosure.

If you have multiple drives, I would use something like this.http://cgi.ebay.com/5-BAY-eSATA-PORT-MU ... 1|294%3A50

If fact, I have a one enclosure and a couple of these
That will hold 5 hard drives. Then hook it up to a port multiplier like this then connected to the computer through this

[madeinhawaii]

I tried that but the HD was in there so good that I ruined the enclosure.

If you have multiple drives, I would use something like this.http://cgi.ebay.com/5-BAY-eSATA-PORT-MU ... 1|294%3A50

If fact, I have a one enclosure and a couple of these
That will hold 5 hard drives. Then hook it up to a port multiplier like this then connected to the computer through this

Here's a better priced options.. this one includes a built in port multiplier and case for SATA drives to eSATA port. These are on my AMAZON wish list for the end of this month.

http://www.amazon.com/Sans-Digital-Towe ... N3XAS58S0Q

And here's one for SATA drives to USB port if your MAC doesn't have an eSATA connector/port.

http://www.amazon.com/Sans-Digital-Towe ... N3XAS58S0Q

[xer 21]

Costco has some on sale with a coupon right now. I tend to make my own. Buy a drive on sale and put it in an enclosure. That way if the drive fails, just put another one in the same enclosure.

so, do you use a esata connection?

esata

Costco has some on sale with a coupon right now. I tend to make my own. Buy a drive on sale and put it in an enclosure. That way if the drive fails, just put another one in the same enclosure.

I take apart the ones that die and replace the hard drive in the case that the previous one came in. Works the same way.

I tried that but the HD was in there so good that I ruined the enclosure.

If you have multiple drives, I would use something like this.http://cgi.ebay.com/5-BAY-eSATA-PORT-MU ... 1|294%3A50

If fact, I have a one enclosure and a couple of these
That will hold 5 hard drives. Then hook it up to a port multiplier like this then connected to the computer through this

mmmm, i like that enclosure with the fan. i could have a 7.5 TB drive! not that i need it just yet of course. my 1.5 TB drive is just fine, my music only takes up 500 gigs, so i have plenty of room still.

[Irse]

mmmm, i like that enclosure with the fan. i could have a 7.5 TB drive! not that i need it just yet of course. my 1.5 TB drive is just fine, my music only takes up 500 gigs, so i have plenty of room still.

You also need a power source for the fan whether its a pass through from your machine or another PSU. The only drawback is that there are a bunch of cables involved. The one madeinhawaii pointed out looks good too but I wonder how much heat would be retained especially if there were 8 bays involved.

[madeinhawaii]

mmmm, i like that enclosure with the fan. i could have a 7.5 TB drive! not that i need it just yet of course. my 1.5 TB drive is just fine, my music only takes up 500 gigs, so i have plenty of room still.

You also need a power source for the fan whether its a pass through from your machine or another PSU. The only drawback is that there are a bunch of cables involved. The one madeinhawaii pointed out looks good too but I wonder how much heat would be retained especially if there were 8 bays involved.

It's got a fan and a power supply with power cord for the fan and multiplier.

Here's a link to the 8-bay unit ...
http://www.amazon.com/Sans-Digital-Towe ... 960&sr=1-3

[browndog]

you guys are too frickin smart for me.