Hi Nicole,
From what I understand there are several methods used by Hard Drive Mfgrs. of reporting the size of a HD.
In any event to answer your question the actual size of the HD will also be less than the published size.
Sounds like you will need another drive anyway based on the amound of data that you will want to store.
Avoid partition on HD that also uses up space and is pointless with the new H.D.'s.
If you want to operate smothly you should not take up more than 75 percent of your hard drive so that your data has room to move. If you really value your data it should be in two seperate locations so that if one area is lost, you have the other as a backup.
The amount of data you stated is what you calculate as of today. Try to anticipate your expected needs for storage and buy enough equipt. to cover your needs. Remember, eventually these hard drives will fail and you will need to buy newer storage methods so you can preserve your precious data.
I would say start transferring your data to the new HD and once you are around 75 percent that should give you a good barometer on what you will need to buy.
Hope this helps
Gilbert
From what I understand a new 500GB has less that 500GB availabl due to configuration etc. Can anybody tell me, how much 500GB I can actually use? I have 464GB of film video and sound material which I'd like to store on an external hd. Now, I'm wondering if a 500GB disk will be enough. Couldn't find any infos on the manufacturer's websites either...
thanks for your help! best, Nicole

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