Need new external hard drive

GALAGA · Mar 22, 2013, 08:05 AM

hello there,
I`m shopping for a new 1T external HD to replace my old 500gig maxtor for my backup drive. I found this seagate and want to know someones opinion/experience from a fellow mac owner. here`s the link thanks

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Seagate+...&skuId=6691815

fa8362 · Mar 22, 2013, 09:29 AM

That drive is small, slow and usually quiet. When accessed, you'll hear a low level squeak.

Speed doesn't matter much for backup, so don't let that put you off.

Fishrrman · Mar 22, 2013, 09:45 AM

My advice…

Don't buy a "pre-assembled" drive.

Rather -- buy a "bare" drive, buy either an enclosure or perhaps a USB3/SATA dock, and then "roll your own".

You don't need technical expertise (even _I_ could do it!).

Advantages of doing things this way:
- you get to pick out the best combination of parts
- since you assemble it yourself, you know what's inside if you ever have problems and have to "get into things".

If you want to get a 2.5" sized drive, you might consider this enclosure:
http://oyendigital.com/hard-drives/store/U32-M.html

If you want a 3.5" drive, I think a USB3/SATA docking station might be a good choice:
http://www.amazon.com/Plugable-Docki...SIN=B003UI62AG

Either of the above will yield VERY fast read/write speeds.

The advantage of using a USB/SATA dock is "swap-a-bility". If you get a second or third bare drive, it's a snap to just remove one drive from the dock, and put another in.

Curtiss · Mar 22, 2013, 09:57 AM

Im using a 1.0TB wd drive with a blackx usb docking station by thermaltake. Its slow usb2 but works good for backup. Plus can swap out drives as needed.

Giuly · Mar 22, 2013, 10:49 AM

I'd rather get the 2TB desktop version, which would allow you to keep more backup data.

GALAGA · Mar 22, 2013, 11:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fa8362

That drive is small, slow and usually quiet. When accessed, you'll hear a low level squeak.

Speed doesn't matter much for backup, so don't let that put you off.

Thank you for the advice!

----------

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fishrrman

My advice…

Don't buy a "pre-assembled" drive.

Rather -- buy a "bare" drive, buy either an enclosure or perhaps a USB3/SATA dock, and then "roll your own".

You don't need technical expertise (even _I_ could do it!).

Advantages of doing things this way:
- you get to pick out the best combination of parts
- since you assemble it yourself, you know what's inside if you ever have problems and have to "get into things".

If you want to get a 2.5" sized drive, you might consider this enclosure:
http://oyendigital.com/hard-drives/store/U32-M.html

If you want a 3.5" drive, I think a USB3/SATA docking station might be a good choice:
http://www.amazon.com/Plugable-Docki...SIN=B003UI62AG

Either of the above will yield VERY fast read/write speeds.

The advantage of using a USB/SATA dock is "swap-a-bility". If you get a second or third bare drive, it's a snap to just remove one drive from the dock, and put another in.

those are great items,I will consider doing that, thank you

glen e · Mar 22, 2013, 12:56 PM

$80 - on amazon--> WD passport 1T 3.0 USB

scottw324 · Mar 24, 2013, 07:15 AM

They just had a special Amazon for a 4TB seagate USB 3 ext hdd for $139, normally $179 and above.

Been thinking about buying it for awhile since my seagate 3TB ext hdd (bought it for $119) only has 800GB free.

Needed something that I could us to backup my movies, TV shows, and music.

I am also looking at getting the USB3/SATA drive docks for future swap ability for increased storage. I hear they can be noisy so I might just use them for backup versus using it to stream my media content to throughout the house.

utekineir · Mar 24, 2013, 07:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scottw324

They just had a special Amazon for a 4TB seagate USB 3 ext hdd for $139, normally $179 and above.

Been thinking about buying it for awhile since my seagate 3TB ext hdd (bought it for $119) only has 800GB free.

Needed something that I could us to backup my movies, TV shows, and music.

I am also looking at getting the USB3/SATA drive docks for future swap ability for increased storage. I hear they can be noisy so I might just use them for backup versus using it to stream my media content to throughout the house.

costco also has had this one for around $150 the last couple months.

Fishrrman · Mar 24, 2013, 09:00 AM

"I am also looking at getting the USB3/SATA drive docks for future swap ability for increased storage. I hear they can be noisy so I might just use them for backup versus using it to stream my media content to throughout the house."

They aren't noisy, at least in my experience.

So long as the drive _in_ the dock is relatively quiet, that's all you'll hear (the drive platters spinning). And that won't be very noisy at all.

scottw324 · Mar 24, 2013, 11:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fishrrman

"I am also looking at getting the USB3/SATA drive docks for future swap ability for increased storage. I hear they can be noisy so I might just use them for backup versus using it to stream my media content to throughout the house."

They aren't noisy, at least in my experience.

So long as the drive _in_ the dock is relatively quiet, that's all you'll hear (the drive platters spinning). And that won't be very noisy at all.

Cool, thanks for the info. Probably my next purchase for storage space I will make.

Hakone · Mar 26, 2013, 10:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scottw324

They just had a special Amazon for a 4TB seagate USB 3 ext hdd for $139, normally $179 and above.

Been thinking about buying it for awhile since my seagate 3TB ext hdd (bought it for $119) only has 800GB free.

Needed something that I could us to backup my movies, TV shows, and music.

I am also looking at getting the USB3/SATA drive docks for future swap ability for increased storage. I hear they can be noisy so I might just use them for backup versus using it to stream my media content to throughout the house.

Looks like it dropped to $130 today.

RoastingPig · Mar 29, 2013, 08:47 AM

I got a 2th my passport that thing is pocketable and it's 3.0

GALAGA · Mar 29, 2013, 02:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RoastingPig

I got a 2th my passport that thing is pocketable and it's 3.0

2T western digital passport 3.0? you have a photo?
is the portable fast enough? no ac adapter correct? just usb 3.0?

RoastingPig · Mar 29, 2013, 09:18 PM

Its very pocketable and it runs on usb bus power.. i get about 100mb/s read and write speeds

Mar 22, 2013, 08:05 AM	#1
GALAGA macrumors newbie Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: vegas	Need new external hard drive hello there, I`m shopping for a new 1T external HD to replace my old 500gig maxtor for my backup drive. I found this seagate and want to know someones opinion/experience from a fellow mac owner. here`s the link thanks http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Seagate+...&skuId=6691815
	1

Mar 22, 2013, 12:56 PM	#7
glen e macrumors 68030 Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Ft Lauderdale	$80 - on amazon--> WD passport 1T 3.0 USB __________________ iPhone5\|MacMini\|iPad4 & Mini Diff Needs, Diff Devices Carried in Saddleback Bags...
	1

Mar 29, 2013, 08:47 AM	#13
RoastingPig macrumors 6502a Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Inglewood	I got a 2th my passport that thing is pocketable and it's 3.0 __________________ 2.3 Ghz Rmbp 256 SSD 16gb Ram, Iphone 4s 32g, Ipod Touch 32gb Slate
	2

Mar 29, 2013, 09:18 PM	#15
RoastingPig macrumors 6502a Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Inglewood	Its very pocketable and it runs on usb bus power.. i get about 100mb/s read and write speeds __________________ 2.3 Ghz Rmbp 256 SSD 16gb Ram, Iphone 4s 32g, Ipod Touch 32gb Slate
	1

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Mar 22, 2013, 09:29 AM	#2
fa8362 macrumors 6502a Join Date: Jul 2008	That drive is small, slow and usually quiet. When accessed, you'll hear a low level squeak. Speed doesn't matter much for backup, so don't let that put you off.
	0

Mar 22, 2013, 09:45 AM	#3
Fishrrman macrumors 68020 Join Date: Feb 2009	My advice… Don't buy a "pre-assembled" drive. Rather -- buy a "bare" drive, buy either an enclosure or perhaps a USB3/SATA dock, and then "roll your own". You don't need technical expertise (even _I_ could do it!). Advantages of doing things this way: - you get to pick out the best combination of parts - since you assemble it yourself, you know what's inside if you ever have problems and have to "get into things". If you want to get a 2.5" sized drive, you might consider this enclosure: http://oyendigital.com/hard-drives/store/U32-M.html If you want a 3.5" drive, I think a USB3/SATA docking station might be a good choice: http://www.amazon.com/Plugable-Docki...SIN=B003UI62AG Either of the above will yield VERY fast read/write speeds. The advantage of using a USB/SATA dock is "swap-a-bility". If you get a second or third bare drive, it's a snap to just remove one drive from the dock, and put another in.
	1

Mar 22, 2013, 09:57 AM	#4
Curtiss macrumors newbie Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Indiana	Im using a 1.0TB wd drive with a blackx usb docking station by thermaltake. Its slow usb2 but works good for backup. Plus can swap out drives as needed.
	1

Mar 22, 2013, 10:49 AM	#5
Giuly macrumors 68020 Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: That depends whether you ask for timezone, state of mind or GPS coordinates.	I'd rather get the 2TB desktop version, which would allow you to keep more backup data.
	1

Mar 24, 2013, 07:15 AM	#8
scottw324 macrumors regular Join Date: Mar 2012	They just had a special Amazon for a 4TB seagate USB 3 ext hdd for $139, normally $179 and above. Been thinking about buying it for awhile since my seagate 3TB ext hdd (bought it for $119) only has 800GB free. Needed something that I could us to backup my movies, TV shows, and music. I am also looking at getting the USB3/SATA drive docks for future swap ability for increased storage. I hear they can be noisy so I might just use them for backup versus using it to stream my media content to throughout the house.
	0

Mar 24, 2013, 09:00 AM	#10
Fishrrman macrumors 68020 Join Date: Feb 2009	"I am also looking at getting the USB3/SATA drive docks for future swap ability for increased storage. I hear they can be noisy so I might just use them for backup versus using it to stream my media content to throughout the house." They aren't noisy, at least in my experience. So long as the drive _in_ the dock is relatively quiet, that's all you'll hear (the drive platters spinning). And that won't be very noisy at all.
	0