Are ultra-portable external HDs as reliable as desktop external HDs?

[YS2003]

I have LaCie 160 GB, 250 GB and one other generic externa HD with 160 GB. They are more a desk top type of hard drive (as it is a little bulky to carry it around).

I am interested in getting one of those ultra portable external hard drive (usually bus powered by USB or Firewire without AC adaptor). There are some very compact units from LaCie and other manufacturers. Are they as reliable as the regular external hard drive?

 

[yellow]

All the ones I've ever used (FireLite and a home built, both firewire) have worked quite well. They're about as reliable as your internal hard drive on a laptop (since they're the same hard drive). Beyond that, I guess it depends on what "reliable" means to you. Would I trust my thesis on one? As long as I had it backed up to alternate media like a couple CDs, sure.

Don't get anything USB bus powered. Stick with Firewire.

 

[combatcolin]

NO.

But if you look after them properly they should last decades.
Same for most things really.