Slim external HDD

[DTphonehome]

Hi all,
I got a new MacBook Air, and want to put my pictures and media on an external drive as the internal 128GB drive isn't going to cut it.

SSDs are a bit too expensive right now, so I'm going to go with a traditional spinning HDD. I want the slimmest drive I can find, and narrowed it down to the Seagate Backup Slim, which goes for about $70-80 for the 1TB version. However, I noticed that macmall is selling the very nice Lacie Slim portable drive for just $40 for a refurbished 500GB model. The capacity is a little on the low side, but I figure I can upgrade the drive inside as my storage needs grow. I love the look and size of the Lacie enclosure. My concern is the reliability of a refurbished Lacie drive. Does anyone have any experience with refurbs? Or should I stick with a new Seagate drive?
Thanks for any help!

 

[Weaselboy]

Here is another option from WD.

 

[MCAsan]

Likely the drive inside a refurbished unit is what crashed and was replaced. So while the unit is refurbed, likely the drive inside is new.

 

[Marty62]

Lacie refurb sounds like a good deal - I would go for that and perhaps fit
a HGST Travelstar 1TB 7200rpm inside ( 60 bucks ) I'm using 2 x of them and they are
great.

Marty.

 

[matreya]

I'd personally go with the Seagate, I have two of the 2TB model and they're excellent...

Another consideration is that you'll need to buy another external hard drive as a time machine backup.

 

[DTphonehome]

Thanks all for the advice. Bought the refurb Lacie. I figure even if the drive fails I'll still have the coolest enclosure.

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Lacie refurb sounds like a good deal - I would go for that and perhaps fit
a HGST Travelstar 1TB 7200rpm inside ( 60 bucks ) I'm using 2 x of them and they are
great.

Marty.

I'll look into it. Is it a 7mm high drive? Because I'm pretty sure that's all the enclosure can handle.

 

[Marty62]

Thanks all for the advice. Bought the refurb Lacie. I figure even if the drive fails I'll still have the coolest enclosure.

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I'll look into it. Is it a 7mm high drive? Because I'm pretty sure that's all the enclosure can handle.

No it's 9.5mm but I bet the Lacie isn't limited to just 7mm!! - double check
of course.
M.

 

[DTphonehome]

No it's 9.5mm but I bet the Lacie isn't limited to just 7mm!! - double check
of course.
M.

I'll let you know when it arrives, thanks!

 

[g4cube]

The 500GB Slim is 7mm. The 1TB and 2TB are 9.5mm

The Slim will only fit a 7mm drive.