Help buying an external HDD.

I recently bought a Sager NP9262, and since I have a lot of data I need from my desktop, I'm in the market for an external hard drive. I'm looking for a 500GB one with eSATA, but I'm not really sure what brand to buy. I haven't heard great things about Maxtor or Western Digital, yet WD seems to dominate the market. I found a Seagate FreeAgent Pro 500GB 7200rpm HDD with eSATA for $102, but I don't know anything about the pricing. There are tons of other brands I haven't even hear of, so I'm in a bit of a jam. Also, should I wait for Labor Day sales?

 

Have you considered buying a desktop HDD and buying an enclosure? I suggest this because it gives you more choices. You can buy the HDD you want, for specs and brand. Here is a link. 500GB 7200rpm at the bottom for $49. It is SATA 3 (all are SATA 3).

Enclosure eSATA starting at $14, link. They do make them with eSATA and USB 2.0 and firewire if that interests you.

So for $49+$14=$63 plus shipping and handling you get a 500GB Western Digital eSATA?

The premade external limit your options for what is inside unless you do a lot of research to find out.

The big three are Hitachi, Western Digital and Seagate. All offer benefits so have their fans, I think all three are good. I would research the models individual here at Tom's, link.

I would add Samsung is close to the other three. I know of much of the opinions people have between the four but well if others want give let them. If you have questions just ask.

Keep in mind 3.5 HDD require external power so less portable than some 2.5 HDD. To some not an issue, you decide.

 

The 2.5 in. Toshiba's have great build but really depending on what your going to use it for would dictate your preferred path

I personally would build one. Even though I did grab a few of the seagates the other day when they were on sale for dirt cheap. $28 + $4 shipping for a 120GB

 

I never thought about going the internal w/enclosure route. That does sound a lot cheaper and easier, with more options. Are there any downsides?

 

No. And I found it cheaper. But I think the ability to get better or at least the choice of HDD will get you a better drive in the end.

 

I'm also wary of the reports of a lot of eHDDs dying within 18 months. I've never had an internal die on me yet.

 

Exactly. With those internals. Think about it. You have no idea what there throwing in there most of the time. I worked at a Walmart over the summer and we had a large selection of External HDD's. On each and almost every one NOTHING was specified.

The actual model # of the internal HD and the Spin speed were no where to be found

 

I am not aware of that? That only means I don't know I do not study HDD's. Even if you buy a premade external as long as not the HDD itself that fails you could buy an enclosure and get back up and running.

But I strongly believe in buying the HDD you want vs getting stuck with what is stuck inside. There are exceptions. I remember an external with Hitachi was cheaper than buying the HDD itself? People were buying and taking apart to put in notebook. It is complicated do not know how much you want to know or how much I want to say? Let me say if I have a contract to deliver 50,000 units with 5400rpm drives. I can't get 5400rpm but can get 7200rpm? Sometimes because of supply you get free upgrades. On my notebook I got 5400rpm HDD vs the 4200 I should of got. My brother got a free Intel Extreme same reason. They don't advertise. But it does happen.