I've been watching the free space numbers fall lower and lower on my computer...as I *ahem* save more and more media files onto my hard drive. Blank CDs have become a pain and frankly they take forever to organize (I already have half a dozen towers of them >_>).

So I'm thinking of getting an external hard drive. I hear FireWire will officially be dropped soon as dead technology (apparently the technical difficulties have resulted in loss of all those gigs of memory).
Does anyone have any suggestions on what external hard drive to get? I just want something to store my files in and not have to worry about them disappearing on me. I don't have a fortune in my pocket but I'd like to keep my budget less than $100 if possible. Any suggestions on what product, or what specs to focus on would be much appreciated.

Thanks for reading!
*pokes around the other posts...*

Just wondering, but why not get an extra internal HD? They probably run alot cheaper and efficient anyways...

I suppose though if you have a laptop, that would be out of the question

Haha I lurve my external hard drive :D I don't think I can live without it anymore... since my laptop HD is so puny. Unfortunately right now I can't remember what model it is, just that it's a USB Maxtor 200GB drive... actually I'm not sure if it's 200GB, it might be 150 xD;; I'll look it up when I get home. I don't know much about other models, but this one has served me pretty well, I think I've had it for about a year now? Maybe more. Still working great though and I love the automatic back-up software that it comes with too.

@crap:
I have one of those iMac desktops - didn't know you could get an extra HD for those.... I'll look it up =).

@flyin:
Thanks for replying! *Will wait to hear from you again when you get a chance to check

I have a Maxtor One Touch II, 200GB ^^ I don't really remember how much I paid for it, somewhere around $100-$150? Looks like they don't make any in that line any more, now it's One Touch III. *Drools at the new 300GB drives* lol XD Again I've never had a problem with ny drive and I've had it for over a year now, but it looks like there are some mixed reviews.

I opted to get an external as opposed to an external case + internal HD like my friend did, mostly because she had a lot of trouble setting it up and getting it to run. I just wanted something I can stick in my laptop, install back-up software and not have to think about anything else, and this one has worked great. If you're tech-savvy though the external case + internal HD should be a much cheaper option. But yeah Maxtor externals at newegg.com would probably be a good place to start. Picking this model out did take some time because there are so many options, but in the end I think I picked this one out because of good customer reviews and decent price. Well good luck, hope this helps a bit ^^

I FIT MUCH PORN ON THIS ONE!



For Realies Yo. I love it.

HD >>> CDs for capacity:price ratio, plus it takes up less space and your stuff doesn't get fragmented, so to speak. So HDs is definitely the way to go!

I use the external case + internal HD option myself. Besides being cheaper than an external, it also gives you more flexibility - I have several HDs and one case, so I swap the drives. =) Plus, you can open up your PC and use the same HD internally. =D In fact, I don't actually use the case, only the circuitry part, since cheapskate cases (like mine =X) have nuts for ventilation and can get waaay too hot quite quickly under heavy use.

I use the drives for archival rather than normal usage, though (I place the HDs back in their protective plastic case before putting them away); swapping drives around on a regular usage basis is definitely a bad idea!

Anyhow, if you're tech-savvy enough, I definitely recommend external case + internal HD. ^^

Like Hamsters said, buying an internal hard drive and fitting it into a (usually usb, firewire interfaced) enclosure is much recommended. I personally use a laptop hard drive enclosure, because one: they're smaller and more compact, and two: laptop HD's are usually a bit more tolerant of shock and are a bit more rugged than the alternative (I usually carry mine around with me and it goes through all sorts of strange abuse, and it still runs fine without bad sectors).

Last I checked, laptop drives are a bit more pricey, so it's really up to you, and what your needs are.

Thanks for all the info everyone!
I'm going shopping this weekend xp.

I also use a 200GB external that lurv. I can't remember the make/model, but it's from NewEgg.com. Good luck shopping!

I bought a monster.
500gb external, SimpleTech. Around $180.