Is there much of a difference between different brands? They’re just like big USB memory sticks right? Anything wrong with going 2nd hand?

Any recommendations? Looking at around 500gb to 1tb.

They’re just like big USB memory sticks right?

Wrong

They’re like an internal HD but externally. USB Sticks use flash memory.

They’re all much of a muchness, just stick with a known brand name.

They’re like an internal HD but externally. USB Sticks use flash memory.

As in what they do, not how they do it…?

I’ve got an Iomega and a Toshiba, no issues after 5+ years.

Sorry for highjack but Are those drives usb powered?

Mine? Yes.

Thanks. wont sure which to get, usb or mains powered.

What computer do you have? Mac or PC?

Do you have the more common USB2 or USB3? USB3 is newer and has a faster data rate.

Depends on what you are using it for too. General use, USB2 is fine but if you are video editing you will need a firewire connection.

Most externals will use their own power source but there are plenty of smaller (portable) ones that don’t.

If you want something for general use these are quite good…

this one has it’s own power source (desktop)

http://247electrical.co.uk/western-digital-elements-desktop-1tb-usb-2-0-hard-drive-external-black.html?SOURCE=FROOGLE

this one does not (portable)

http://www.pixmania.co.uk/uk/uk/4556122/art/lacie/rikiki-portable-external.html?Partenaire=partner&CodePromo=oui&srcid=867&key=Zkh4czAZGRcgKyRXc0ZxIgw7MAdYQlNlbGYSNgc2ET4MBTcBaWVVW1EjdE9xLAk/R3JcWw==

Stick to a name brand. Plenty to choose from

Thanks for info. sort of price range i was thinking of. Just wont to store the thousands of photos we have all in one place.

If it’s for photos, my preferred method is lots of smaller drives and not one single monster drive. Less of a problem if there is any corruption or damage to the drive.

Try a RAID drive, that way, if a drive goes down there is a mirror on the other drive, and the shonky one can be replaced. A bit more expensive, but once upon a time were really only for businesses.