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Looking for External Hard Drive

Goohfy

Goohfy

macrumors regular
Original poster
Apr 22, 2011
203
0
Ok, atm I own a Dell Inspiron 1545, running Windows 7. I'm thinking about upgrading to a Mac during the Summer or whenever the next refresh is, but I need an external hard drive that I can back up my files with to wipe my Pc for now. Are there any out there right now under 100 bucks that can back up my files, it's running 64 bit now, but I'll run 32 after I back it up, please help me out.
 
Any external HDD will work, they can be had for 30 to ... USD.
It doesn't matter, if the OS is 64- or 32-bit. Seagate and Western Digital HDDs are quite good.
If you want to switch to Mac OS X later, make sure to read through the following about file systems.
GGJstudios said:
FAT32 (File Allocation Table)
  • Read/Write FAT32 from both native Windows and native Mac OS X.
  • Maximum file size: 4GB.
  • Maximum volume size: 2TB
NTFS (Windows NT File System)
  • Read/Write NTFS from native Windows.
  • Read only NTFS from native Mac OS X
  • To Read/Write/Format NTFS from Mac OS X: Install NTFS-3G for Mac OS X (free)
  • Some have reported problems using Tuxera (approx 33USD).
  • Native NTFS support can be enabled in Snow Leopard, but is not advisable, due to instability.
  • AirPort Extreme (802.11n) and Time Capsule do not support NTFS
  • Maximum file size: 16 TB
  • Maximum volume size: 256TB
HFS+ (Hierarchical File System, a.k.a. Mac OS Extended)
  • Read/Write HFS+ from native Mac OS X
  • Required for Time Machine or Carbon Copy Cloner backups of Mac internal hard drive.
  • To Read/Write HFS+ from Windows, Install MacDrive
  • To Read HFS+ (but not Write) from Windows, Install HFSExplorer
  • Maximum file size: 8EiB
  • Maximum volume size: 8EiB
exFAT (FAT64)
  • Supported in Mac OS X only in 10.6.5 or later.
  • exFAT partitions created with OS X 10.6.5 are inaccessible from Windows 7
  • Not all Windows versions support exFAT. See disadvantages.
  • exFAT (Extended File Allocation Table)
  • AirPort Extreme (802.11n) and Time Capsule do not support exFAT
  • Maximum file size: 16 EiB
  • Maximum volume size: 64 ZiB
Click to expand...
 
I'm just a bit confused about the info about the systems you posted.
 
Goohfy said:
I'm just a bit confused about the info about the systems you posted.
Click to expand...

Mac OS X and Windows have file systems they use to store their data on HDDs. Mac OS X uses HFS+, which can't be read or written to by Windows, and Windows uses NTFS, which can only be read by Mac OS X.
But there are ways to let Windows read and write to HFS+ formatted volumes, and Mac OS X write to NTFS formatted volumes. The post about file systems tells you how.
 
Ok, so I can allow a future Macbook to read the HDD if I bought one for Windows.
 
I don't know if they still have this but I bought a 2 TB Seagate external drive for $99 at Costco not too long ago.
 
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blevins321 said:
I have a Seagate portable that's still chugging along after 2.5 years. :) Don't buy it direct from Seagate. HERE is a link the the Amazon results for that model. Probably will save 40% over buying it from the manufacturer.
Click to expand...

Yeah, I was actually lookin at the sales on best buy but if amazon has a better price ill go for it, thx.
 
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Goohfy said:
Which one do you guys recommend?
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...ils?ie=UTF8&me=&qid=1304014336&sr=1-9&seller=

Or

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Seagate...lver/9929098.p?id=1218196478444&skuId=9929098
Click to expand...

I don't like the design of the new Seagates. I have an older one with the different form factor that I like. The new ones are too boxy with corners in my opinion. The drives inside (IMHO) are about on equal footing. The WD from the Amazon has the added benefit of future-proofing with the included USB 3.0 capability.
 
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blevins321 said:
I don't like the design of the new Seagates. I have an older one with the different form factor that I like. The new ones are too boxy with corners in my opinion. The drives inside (IMHO) are about on equal footing. The WD from the Amazon has the added benefit of future-proofing with the included USB 3.0 capability.
Click to expand...
Ok, I'll head over to Bestbuy soon and pick it up, and it will convert smoothly to a mac external hard drive, if I get one later this year ?
 
Goohfy said:
Ok, I'll head over to Bestbuy soon and pick it up, and it will convert smoothly to a mac external hard drive, if I get one later this year ?
Click to expand...

Yep, sure will. Most of them come formatted as NTFS these days. Just pop up disk utility and format it is HFS+ and you'll be all set.
 
I have had good luck with WD Elements, not WD Essentials. Don't know what the difference is, but reviews are more negative on Essentials than Elements. I bought a 500 GB portable from Target for $49.99 on sale. Waiting for that price again, to buy another or find a sale on a 1 TB. I prefer portables to stick in my laptop case when away from home.
 
davidinva said:
I have had good luck with WD Elements, not WD Essentials. Don't know what the difference is, but reviews are more negative on Essentials than Elements. I bought a 500 GB portable from Target for $49.99 on sale. Waiting for that price again, to buy another or find a sale on a 1 TB. I prefer portables to stick in my laptop case when away from home.
Click to expand...

Well, I'm gonna go to Bestbuy and check the prices.
 
Goohfy said:
What about something like this ?

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Western...rive/2075504.p?id=1218308261274&skuId=2075504

If you guys can find me the WD 500 GB w/ a 3.0 for around 60 link me please :p .
Click to expand...

One important distinction to make - do you want a portable drive or a desktop drive? Desktop gives you more storage space for less money, but are physically much larger and require an AC adapter. The portable ones are a bit more pricy for the larger sizes but are usually powered by USB only.
 
blevins321 said:
One important distinction to make - do you want a portable drive or a desktop drive? Desktop gives you more storage space for less money, but are physically much larger and require an AC adapter. The portable ones are a bit more pricy for the larger sizes but are usually powered by USB only.
Click to expand...

Oh yeah, I completely forgot, I need a portable hard drive, so count that one out, I'm lookin' around eBay and Bestbuy, I'll let you know if I find one, but if you find any around for a cheap price 500 GB post it up for me if you can :) .
 
Goohfy said:
Oh yeah, I completely forgot, I need a portable hard drive, so count that one out, I'm lookin' around eBay and Bestbuy, I'll let you know if I find one, but if you find any around for a cheap price 500 GB post it up for me if you can :) .
Click to expand...

Here is a WD 500gb for $61.
 
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And you guys believe that the hard drive is an essential for everyday browsing and such, even if I'm not working with programs such as Photoshop, and it may help speed up my dang Dell ? :p
 
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