External Storage Devices.

[JDog]

Hello fellow chrome domes(TM Warhawk).

I was just wondering how many of you used or owned an external storage unit(external harddrive/USB Flash drive etc) to store your digital material(mp3's,photos,movies etc).

I've always used my 30gb ipod as an external device.I've got about 10gb of files on it but I recently bought a 320gb external harddrive for only $130AU. I've gotta wipe my laptop and re-install windows so I've got about 40gb worth of data to remove and backup.

The 160GB Slimline version was 20 bucks less but this one is a bit bulkier but still small enough to take with me. I figured for 30 bucks more I get double the capacity, I would be stupid not to get it.

What about you all?

[Stu]

I would be interested as well.  I've been wanting to get one, but my problem is that I read online  reviews -- always 'really great' or 'really horrible' on the same devices, so as a consequence, I do nothing.

[champ007]

Jdog, just saw this post...sorry for the late reply.
I use a external drive for my K/J stuff through a laptop. The problem with alot of externals is the heat generated. With the drop in prices on harddrives, I bought a Thermaltake Max 4 enclosure and a 500gb drive to put it in. You can get a eSATA drive and get up to 3GBps trasfer on usb 2.0. The best part is it has a fan on it that keeps the hard drive cool, and its whisper quiet. All together I think I spent like 100 bucks on the combo and have had no issues in over a year.

[Robmeister]

I back up all my docs, pics and vids once a week on to re-writeable DVDs

[Jer]

  Hmmmm...  Well, I'm a bit nuts when it comes to backing up data.  I have an external 500GB that I backup everything on once a month and keep in my fire safe.  Then I have one 250GB for my music since I put ALL my CD's and Vinyl to *.mp3 and my 80GB iPod is damn near full.  Then I have another 250GB for all other data, and I keep my 180GB internal on my laptop basically empty.  I I have another I have another 40Gb one that is the size of my wallet for if I'm going to take any files anywhere.

I actually just saw 500GB Maxtor externals go down to $120CAD at Best buy here, so I'm guessing the prices would be comparable anywhere else, and I would definitely recommend it as Maxtor is a very reputable company and stands by it's products, and you really can't beat the size for that price.

[skiking]

I keep my music and a few files on my laptop which has 160 GB of space, keep keep everything on a 250GB portable external, and backup everything with a 200 GB external using a disk image instead of the individual file.  I also have all of my files on my desktop which has 250 GB of space. So now I have every file on three or more hard drives. I also keep all of my pictures and my most important data on CD in case the poo hits the fan.
 
I am a bit paranoid when it comes to losing data.  My first year of college, the hard drive on my old computer crashed and I lost several final projects that I had to turn in the next day.  And due to that I failed one class and nearly failed two more, the professors didn't believe my story and were unwilling to give me a one week extension.  That is when II started backing up my data.

[Johnny]

After my harddrive puked last year, I got a new computer and also bought an external WD 500GB harddrive. I do backups once a week and store all my music and photos on it. I have about 28,000 songs that take up about 120GB.