Need external storage, what to get?

[Paul Jr]

This place has always been good to me, so I figured I'd ask this here.

I'm in need of some sort of external storage device. Not exactly sure what size, but the bigger the better. Price range is unknown because, well, I have no idea how much these things cost. It was recommended to me by someone knowledgeable that instead of getting an external hard drive, I should get a regular hard drive and a case for it, and use it as an external hard drive. I haven't a clue as to why that would be better, but I know he knows his stuff.

I'm currently running WinXP Home (SP1), on an AMD machine (sort of).

[nick106b]

I'd say it depends on how much storage you need.External Zip drives are handy - I use a 250 meg job myself. (Discs are shirt pocket size)
There are lots of flash drives (Pocki drives) out there now. If you need 64 mb or similar these are very handy - but small enough to be quite easy to lose, too.
"You pays yer money, and makes yer choice..."
Nick.

[Paul Jr]

Well I'm looking to store mostly videos, so probably along the lines of at least 80GB (perhaps more; I don't want to have to get another drive down the line).

[wh666-666]

Just because high capacity external hard drives are expensive so an easier way to do it is buy an IDE internal hard drive (3.5" desktop) and then buy a external case, cheaper way and whatever storage amount you want. The internal hard drive slots in the caddy and a fanned adapter board plugs in to the IDE to covert it to USB (keep the hard drive on master jumper setting). I would recommend a 400GB external drive as its not too much more expensive than a 200GB. Give you all the room you need.

Quite simple to do but please feel free to message me through MSN and i can provide you with more information/instructions and price ranges that cant be discussed on here.

[Albert_chu]

usually a standard 200gb external HD would cost around $250. however i think external hard drives are over rated..because a standard 200gb internal HD is only about $180 where as wit hexternal ur paying an extra 70 for a flashy case and a usb connection.

[wh666-666]

Trust me its cheaper to make it albert because i do. I just didnt start discussing prices on here which no-one should because of federal regulations involving price fixing. Externals may be overated to a degree but if the user wants it to be transportable on a regular basis it makes common sense.