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General discussion

WD "My Book" Best Choice for Big External Storage?

Apr 20, 2006 1:55PM PDT

Hi Everybody,

I need a new external storage device and I need it to have firewire and usb 2 on it. Because I wanted 1 TB, originally I was looking at NAS solutions (like Buffalo Terastation and Infrant etc), but I think I'll have to forego that because I can't find anything out there that has a firewire port on it...plus I don't really need it to connect to the router.

So what I'm thinking now is that I'll just get a 500 GB Western Digital My Book, because I'm under the impression that WD and Seagate make the best drives out there, and I didn't see a 500 GB Seagate external drive. And if I want 1 TB later, I'll just daisy chain another My Book. That is possible right? I read that the Lacie Brick is sturdier, but I rarely take the drive I have now places, and the Lacie didn't seem to have FW on it. Also the Maxtor was mentioned in the same article, but from what I understand Maxtors aren't that great and it also requires a fan, which I'd like to avoid if possible.

I'd consider one of the new 1 TB external drives, but because they use RAID 0, if one of the drives fails they both fail...and I'm not dealing with that.

Anyway, please let me know what you think!

Discussion is locked

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Great stuff.
Apr 20, 2006 9:45PM PDT

The only issue I'm encountering is that many fail to realise that inside are the same hard disks that we use for the other computers. As such, the same failures will occur there.

Point? Where do you backup what you can't lose?

Bob

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Not Sure What You Mean...
Apr 21, 2006 2:15AM PDT

Hi Bob,

Thanks for your reply, but I'm not sure if I understand what you're getting at.

When you say ''great stuff'' are you saying these specific drives are good?

Also, not sure you what you mean by: ''The only issue I'm encountering is that many fail to realise that inside are the same hard disks that we use for the other computers. As such, the same failures will occur there.''

The way I see it, of course any HD will be just a HD and can possibly fail, but what I'm looking for is a quality drive from a quality manufacturer. Also, I will not be backing up anything on the drive I end up getting...at least till prices come down where I can afford to do so. This won't be too big of a deal because the files that I really need will be backed up on the 250 GB drive I'm using now that is going to be replaced by the My Book or whatever.

Anyway, I look forward to any further advice as to the quality of the My Books, or any other suitable solution.

Thanks!

PS, What other forums besides CNet would be good for posting these kinds of questions?

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An example discussion here. (link, comment)
Apr 21, 2006 6:54AM PDT
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Well I found some reviews...
Apr 21, 2006 2:36PM PDT

but the drive seems to be so new that it's hard to tell for sure:

http://reviews.cnet.com/My_Book_Premium_Edition_WDG1C5000_hard_drive_5...GB_Fire

and

http://reviews.cnet.com/My_Book_Essential_Edition_WDG1U5000_hard_drive...0_GB_Hi

Same dude reviewing and he posted a bad review on a laptop twice as well...not sure if he's legit, but he seems to be...there seem to be very few user reviews on this product although here's a positive one on the non-FW edition:

http://stores.tomshardware.com/rating_getprodrev.php/product_id=179873...id_type

and apparently 8 people found that one useful...

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mixed thoughts
Apr 21, 2006 3:23PM PDT

Looks like a nice product. I especially like this feature from the WD product description:

''Intelligent drive management features ? The My Book drive turns itself on and off with your computer''

However, given the track record of external HD's, I'm going to give this product some time to see how this feature performs in real world. Too expensive for me to be the Guinea pig here.

For now, I'm sticking with the weekly instant savings special or rebate special large internal HD that I pop into an external enclosure for the same performance and less cash.

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Other reviews/user testimonials...
Apr 22, 2006 9:10AM PDT

I want to hear other reviews or testimonials...I posted on Tom's Hardware's forums...any other suggestions?