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Best portable External HD for MPB.

H

helimx

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Aug 16, 2008
18
0
I'm still pretty new to computers, especially my macbook pro that I purchased in sept of 07'. Well, not new, just inexperienced I guess.

I have filled up my MBP memory with my huge itunes library, and I need some extra storage. I've had external hard drives in the past, but it was quite some time ago, and on a desktop PC.
Basically I need a portable, and "robust" external drive. I travel a LOT, and need something that can take a few bumps and shuffles. lol
I would like atleast 250 gb of space, and I'd prefer not to have an external power cord if possible. I've used the search function, but all of the threads that come up are from mid july of 07 and back. So I'm sure more options are available now. I think I would prefer firewire, but that's just from what I've read here. I don't know if my MBP is FW400 or FW800 compatible, again, i got those terms from reading here.lol

Once I do decide on an external drive, I'm sure I'll be back asking questions on how to use the thing. ha

thanks for any help!!! and sorry for being such a newb. lol
 
Hi,

For portability and to avoid needing an external power source, you'll be best off with a 2.5" external drive with a Firewire connector. Firewire provides more power than USB (and is faster in sustained transfer rates). Also, it's common to find drives with two Firewire connectors -- this allows you to daisy-chain multiple drives (or indeed other Firewire devices) together.

As for brands, you're really best off browsing around for a drive with good reviews. Generally speaking, all the manufacturers use disks from reputable makers. So really the main differentiating aspect is how well the enclosure's built and the experiences of long-time users.

I use these enclosures with bare drives that I buy separately (although you might prefer an all-in-one bundle). Overall I've been very happy. Very solid aluminium design and it's performed fine for the past year or two.
 
Sounds like the "rugged" hard drives from Lacie might be what you are looking for. They do a triple interface model, FW400, FW800 and USB, giving you flexibility over which port to use. Bus powered and designed to take a few knocks.

I have the 500GB model plugged into the FW800 port, but they do a range of capacities. I also have a 120GB from a while back still going strong.
 
I have a 250gb Toshiba and its great you could get it from Best Buy for $99 on sale.
 
I have a silver (metal) 250 GB Freecom USB2/FW400 drive. I bought it for about £90 in the UK a few months ago. Its the same colour as MBP but does look a little plain. But it works just fine. I dont think they make a larger drive in the same shell. Western Digital do a 320GB FW400 drive but their plastic cases scratch badly.
 
I have the Lacie Rugged for my MBP and it gets tossed around like you wouldn't believe. The rubber outside and name is a lot of marketing hype, but they really are good little backup drives in a nice, small package.
 
RealEvil said:
I have a silver (metal) 250 GB Freecom USB2/FW400 drive. I bought it for about £90 in the UK a few months ago. Its the same colour as MBP but does look a little plain. But it works just fine. I dont think they make a larger drive in the same shell. Western Digital do a 320GB FW400 drive but their plastic cases scratch badly.
Click to expand...

I actually just went and checked out freecoms website. they do make a 500 GB http://www.freecom.com/ecproduct_detail.asp?ID=3799&CatID=8020&sCatID=1146438&ssCatID=1147828
Toughdrive Pro, with firewire/USB, but they are sold out on their site, and they are asking 475 US Dollars!!! wheeewww... I mean dang, I know it's portable and all, but you can get muliti-TB drives on ebay for cheaper than that. But, like I said, I travel alot, so I may just end up biting the bullet on this one. and i like how the cables are intergrated into it.

found this one on ebay, anyone have any opinions on it??? http://cgi.ebay.com/500GB-2-5-FireW...04QQcategoryZ158823QQcmdZViewItem?refid=store
Anyone else have experience with teh freecom toughdrives?? it looks like the perfect size, and they boast about how great it takes falls and whatnot.

Also just checked out this Lacie hard drive. http://www.lacie.com/us/products/product.htm?pid=11085 seems like a pretty good deal. It says it has 800/400 firewire, and USB.

quick question, how do I know if my MBP is compatible with either 400 or 800 firewire? or are the connections the same?
 
well, i think i am going to go with this one. http://www.lacie.com/us/products/product.htm?pid=11085
the only problem is, they are sold out!!!! I've searched online, to the best of my abilities, and I cant find the same one. I found one with 500GB of storage, but no firewire.

I would get the freecom, but it only has 400 firewire, and is much more expensive. but i really like the fact that the cables are integrated into it. but, for that much,I think it should have the 800 firewire also.

SO, does anyone know where I can get the lacie HD I listed???
thanks!!
 
Another vote for the OWC enclosures. They are easily upgraded as drive capacities increase. I have 4 of them and never had a problem.
 
i know you said you wanted external and i don't know how big ur hd is now but you can buy a Western Digital Passport Essential edition 320gb for $120 from best buy....then you take that drive out of it and install it in ur macbook pro and put the drive that was in ur macbook pro back in it

now youve got 320gb in ur laptop and a small portable usb external drive with however much storage you had before

i just did this procedure and it worked out great for me
 
The Lacie Rugged Hard Drives (if you can find the 500GB, if not, go with the 320) with FW 400/800 are fantastic. If you really need speed (doesn't sound like you do, but something to check out) they have a 7200 RPM 200GB external as well (the others are all 5400 RPM - still plenty fast for anything but heavy graphics/video work ie Adobe CS or FCP).
 
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