Portable Data Storage

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GingerNinja

52 posts

Master Geek

#12609 27-Mar-2007 12:51

I need a new computer, and I also need a portable data storage device for backing up photos etc while away.

If I get a Laptop then thats both problems solved.

But if I get a desktop, I will either need a portable data storage device, or an external hard drive.

Does anyone have any advice on these?

Are external hard drives able to be accessed at any old computer (ie internet cafes)?

stevonz

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#65163 27-Mar-2007 16:03

I think you'll find most external drives will be able to be accessed at any old computer (internet cafes). Some older computers may not have USB 2.0 and will therefore transfer data at a slower rate.

It's all about mitigating risk. I personally have a laptop and also have an external 250Gig HDD, which requires a sep power source too. You are able to find ext HDD that do not require external power source... run off of USB.

Cheers, Stevo

freitasm

BDFL - Memuneh
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Geekzone

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#65165 27-Mar-2007 16:07

Exactly... Regardless of being a laptop or a desktop you still need a backup, therefore having an external drive is something to think about anyway.

GingerNinja

52 posts

Master Geek

#65440 29-Mar-2007 13:25

I think I am leaning towards a laptop now.

The portable data storage devices are quite expensive at about $4-500 for 40GB, so there is a huge cost difference over external hard drives.

An external hard drive will be cheaper, and the capacity will be vastly greater, so it will be able to act as a backup for all files.
But I am not sure if this would be the easiest solution for backing up on holiday, as the process could be quite tedious depending on the internet cafe computers etc, and if there are no computers then its impossible.

So that brings me back to the laptops. I would probably also get an external HDD to back up data at home. And since laptops don't have much storage capacity the external HDD would supplement capacity, allowing me to store all my cds as wavs (I don't like MP3).

so the next step for me is now to decide on a laptop, and later an external hdd.

Thanks for the advice

tonyhughes

Hawkes Bay
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#65441 29-Mar-2007 13:33

GingerNinja: The portable data storage devices are quite expensive at about $4-500 for 40GB, so there is a huge cost difference over external hard drives.

$168 delivered for a 250GB external HDD (not my auction!!!!)

GingerNinja

52 posts

Master Geek

#65469 29-Mar-2007 17:07

This is the kind of PSD I was talking about:

http://www.flashcards.co.nz/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=26_188&products_id=163

Its 40GB for $246. Quite a bit cheaper than I said earlier, but they didn't have these when I was searching last week. I think the more expensive ones have a screen where you can view photos, this one doesn't.

But still way more expensive than an external HDD.