Ext. Hard drive

Not really a bad idea. There's a few cons to getting an external:

Accidental damage
Losing it
Theft of it
Costs more than an internal hdd

Look at the LaCie externals if you're looking for high capacity.

// spr33
visionleague™

If you don't already have one, a portable mp3 player isn't a bad idea. A good one can store a ton of music (and other data). You'd be able to use it between your laptop, desktop, and have music on the go.

seems like a good idea to me. or a high capacity mp3 player like 60 gig ipod or i believe there are larger mp3 players too

Something like this may do the job:

www.archos.com/products/overview/av400_series.html

But it will always be way more expensive that a portable external HD.

Too Poor To Be Eccentric
http://www.adamdorman.com

or just check out a computer parts store or fry's outpost and find a super great deal on a hard drive and an external enclosure.

All you do is open the enclosure, plug the IDE or SATA wires and power cables in, and plug it into usb, save about 50 bucks.

^ that's pretty much i did. got an 80 gig for like $30 then got a $20-$30 USB2 enclosure and voila, portable mp3 holder.

Proverbs 19:96 -- Custo helps those who help themselves... use Google

I'd agree that the enclosure is the way to go. If you head to TigerDirect, you can get a 300gb hard drive and an enclosure for 140 bucks post-rebate.

Don't get a Metal Gear Box. Just don't. They suck.

why do the metal gear boxes suck? Just out of curiosity since it's a bit late for me. Bought one, but haven't had any trouble with it.

I have an Archos AV420 it is the best thing I have ever bought, it is incrediable I recommend it to everyone i talk to. But do get the 80 gig version the AV480 that I think is avaliable at www.newegg.com --- also a good place to buy an external HDD. If you want to ask me questions about the Archos just pm me.

Definitely go with the internal HDD + enclosure. You can save a bunch by doing it that way. Newegg.com is the way to go.

___________________
Scourge of the Muffins

What does it take to put an internal harddrive in an enclosure? I dont know anything about that.

Money isnt really an issue. I want something that is going to work fast and easy for switching back and forth between pcs. I was thinking about 120 GB or more. Any recommendations for specific harddrives?



________________
FrostedFlames [FF]
Customize.org Staff

http://www.newegg.com/ProductSort/SubCategory.asp?SubCategor
y=414

Includes user reviews. If money isn't a big issue, forget an internal/enclosure setup...You don't save that much (relative, of course).

regardless of the immediate savings, an External enclosure makes it easy to quick access any HDD's you've got lying right around or any you might buy.

Eh, I guess it doesn't make THAT much of a difference, but it's just a matter of plugging two wires in to save atleast 50 or 60 bucks.

Frosted I would recommend going with this one :

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E168221442
31

my father has one and its really neat, you can configure the button to do different things for instance when you push it, u can set it to make back ups of certain folders or just certian files. It comes with a nice warrenty and Ive only heard great things, Im buying one myself soon.

The saving is actually relative to the size of the drive you get. You won't be saving 50 or 60 bucks unless you get a larger drive.

It boils down to how much space FF needs.

Installation is easy, by the way. You open up the enclosure, plug in the drive, and close it back up again. All you need is a screwdriver.

___________________
Scourge of the Muffins

you don't even need a screwdriver if your drive enclosure has handy thumbscrews.

Stay Frosty!

In regards to the question about Metal Gear Box enclosures, the usb controller chipset on them is complete ass and they're just pieces of shit in general.

I have (had?) two of them that I no longer use because both drives began crapping out while inside the Metal Shitbox. I ran chkdisk and fixed it but I haven't had any problems since putting them inside of a desktop tower.

I've heard many horror stories besides my own about the very same enclosure.

oh...wonderful, wonderful.

Guess it doesn't make a bit of difference that I sprung the extra 5 bucks for the one with the lights on the side either...

bastards exploiting my love of a gaming franchise with poorly made products.

i have a LaCie and im pretty happy with it, i use it for back up, but i also use it to transfer data between my lappy and desktop.

http://ucsu.colorado.edu/~lindstro/

This isnt something I want to use for backing up files. I want to actively use it to keep on my mp3s on so I can listen to them on both my laptop pc and desktop pc. Is this still a good idea?

________________
FrostedFlames [FF]
Customize.org Staff

My father inlaw has a USB powered lacie - good drive. Super convenient since you don't need to plug it in to a power socket. (Not sure if the larger lacie drives are usb powered or not, though.)

i have an IOGEAR 250gig. love it to death, no fans for noise, but runs cooler than my body temp.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E168221618
25

________________________
http://www.mytechstudio.com

$159
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=7366726&type=p
roduct&productCategoryId=pcmcat33200050002&id=112265326024
6

$99.99
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=7366691&type=p
roduct&productCategoryId=pcmcat33200050002&id=112265326018
5

_________
Kristhian || '05