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Wi-Fi External Hard drive?

N

NStocks

macrumors 68000
Original poster
Apr 3, 2008
1,569
18
England
Hi,

I plan on buying the RMBP in a month or so, which only comes with 256GB Storage. Obviously I need an external drive and I placed an order for a Western digital 2TB from amazon at £90.00

However, I've just realised something: What if I want to access say a photo library whilst in the garden, or somewhere that I can be connected to my wifi network, but no plugged into the external hard drive.

Other than buying a portable hard drive or time capsule, what other reasonably priced 'wifi' (if that's the right term; I don't want to connect this thing to my router as it's not in my room), with at least 1TB storage?

Are these things even mass made? That is, a good priced external HD that require only a power cable to connect it to the network and no need to physically connect it to the internet?

Thank you
 
There are external drives that can connect to your router either via ethernet or USB making it accessible over Wi-Fi. Seagate offer this option particularly in their GoFlex range. I'm not sure of other brands.
 
BreakGuy said:
There are external drives that can connect to your router either via ethernet or USB making it accessible over Wi-Fi. Seagate offer this option particularly in their GoFlex range. I'm not sure of other brands.
Click to expand...

I read that the go flex range are good for wife access, however they need to be plugged into the router itself don't they? I don't think network hard drives exist where you don't need to plug them into the router... It would be quite hard to make that work otherwise I guess!
 
Consider pickup up a NAS. There are affordable options from QNAP and Synology. You can also plug your existing USB HD into an Airport Extreme and get connectivity that way.
 
NStocks said:
I read that the go flex range are good for wife access, however they need to be plugged into the router itself don't they? I don't think network hard drives exist where you don't need to plug them into the router... It would be quite hard to make that work otherwise I guess!
Click to expand...
Generally speaking yes, they need to be plugged into the router. If your router can reach your garden, you'll be able to access the drive.

Another option would be to go for a Wi-Fi drive that connects wirelessly to your existing network. Seagate offer the GoFlex Satellite for this method.
 
BreakGuy said:
Generally speaking yes, they need to be plugged into the router. If your router can reach your garden, you'll be able to access the drive.

Another option would be to go for a Wi-Fi drive that connects wirelessly to your existing network. Seagate offer the GoFlex Satellite for this method.
Click to expand...

Ah yes, that would be perfect, however it's only 500GB :(. I think I'lll just make do with a wired option as it seems far more economical. (2TB for £90)

About time capsule: does that connect via wifi like the seagate satellite or must it be plugged into the router?

Thanks for your help :)
 
NStocks said:
Ah yes, that would be perfect, however it's only 500GB :(. I think I'lll just make do with a wired option as it seems far more economical. (2TB for £90)

About time capsule: does that connect via wifi like the seagate satellite or must it be plugged into the router?

Thanks for your help :)
Click to expand...
The Time Capsule is a router with a built-in drive for backups. Partitioning this drive would allow you to use it to access individual files.
 
If you have another computer, you can create a shared folder and connect your hard drive to it.

I was also thinking that Pogoplug might be an attractive solution for you. It's like the Lacie LaPlug but it's cheaper at $49.95 and compliments your WD 2TB.

http://pogoplug.com/

Cheap NAS solutions are slow and somewhat unresponsive compared to quality NAS drives, but I think it will work fine.
 
Last edited:
yensteel said:
If you have another computer, you can create a shared folder and connect your hard drive to it.

I was also thinking that Pogoplug might be an attractive solution for you. It's like the Lacie LaPlug but it's cheaper at $49.95 and compliments your WD 2TB.

http://pogoplug.com/

Cheap NAS solutions are slow and somewhat unresponsive compared to quality NAS drives, but I think it will work fine.
Click to expand...

This looks really good! I take it the only 'requirement' to use it anywhere connected to the internet is to ensure it's always turned on and connected to your own network?

EDIT: It looks like you have to use software on your mac to access the files... I don't think you can access it like a local storage like in the finder...
 
Last edited:
fun

NStocks said:
I read that the go flex range are good for wife access, however they need to be plugged into the router itself don't they? I don't think network hard drives exist where you don't need to plug them into the router... It would be quite hard to make that work otherwise I guess!
Click to expand...

I've always found that my wife prefers access that is more personal than wifi. :)
 
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