Hard Drives for Media Storage - Any Reason to Buy Locally?

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JimmyH

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#315153 17-Jun-2024 20:58

I need some hard drives to expand the storage on my media server.

I have been running with Exos drives, as they seem to offer better performance characteristics (speed, warranty, MTBF etc) than other NAS drives. The 18TB capacity I want to match existing drives my RAID array seem to be in short supply locally, so I looked offshore.

I thought the local market for this type of thing would be reasonably competitive (target market is IT savvy comfortable with price comparisons and importing), and it was last time I looked. But, even after paying shipping and GST, drives from the like of Newegg and B&H Photo seem to now seem to be a good 35-40% cheaper than the local options (PB Tech, Ascent etc). This is much worse that the circa 10% local premium I was paying last year, and which I was prepared to pay for ease of return etc.

Given that this saving is several hundred dollars per drive, is there any reason at all not to import instead of shopping with NZ suppliers - and is there any reason to avoid either Newegg or B&H photo as vendors?

pdh

342 posts

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#3250213 17-Jun-2024 23:06

B&H have worked well for me in the past.

Jase2985

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#3250216 18-Jun-2024 05:01

Ive always got mine from Amazon and had no issues.

I do it purely for the savings. Warranties are a PITA from what ive seen/heard but you get them done eventually.

nztim

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TEAMnetwork

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#3250293 18-Jun-2024 08:52

Jase2985:

Warranties are a PITA from what ive seen/heard but you get them done eventually.

Order extras so that you are not out of service while waiting for warranties

Any views expressed on these forums are my own and don't necessarily reflect those of my employer.

Jase2985

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#3250503 18-Jun-2024 16:44

nztim:

Jase2985:

Warranties are a PITA from what ive seen/heard but you get them done eventually.

Order extras so that you are not out of service while waiting for warranties

talking about expanding here, so not as much of a concern, but yes if you can afford one, and you are running raid/SHR it can't hurt to have a cold spare on the shelf

Tzoi

424 posts

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#3250612 18-Jun-2024 20:25

My main concern is normally with shipping hard drives is not being sure on how well packaged they are.

I just bought some refurbished server hdds for my NAS which are much cheaper so I'll see how they go

Jase2985

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#3250690 19-Jun-2024 06:54

Tzoi: My main concern is normally with shipping hard drives is not being sure on how well packaged they are.

I just bought some refurbished server hdds for my NAS which are much cheaper so I'll see how they go

i personally would never trust any of my important data to a refurbished drive.

richms

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#3250758 19-Jun-2024 10:43

The DOA warranty with Amazon was fine for me, they gave a label and I just had to book a pickup. I dont know how it works with B&H because when I looked it was within $5 so not worth straying from Amazon.

I see zero reason to buy locally, and with how much we get ripped off here for all hardware I try my best to avoid the local markup machines when shopping. Newegg was good in the past but I think they have now seen how much they can extract from NZ compared to US pricing and are no longer as good as they once were.

Refurbished can mean any number of things with gear from the US, because retailers are not allowed to resell unopened customer returns as new items, they all immediately go onto the pallet lots that are sold to resellers who will sell them as refurb gear. You lose manufacturer warranty with buying that way and some resellers don't seem to bother inspecting things well.

Richard rich.ms

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openmedia

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#3250801 19-Jun-2024 13:50

Recently bought WD Red Plus and Seagate Ironwolf drives off Amazon and I recommend you request the better packaging option.

Typically saving 30% compared with local pricesand delivery has been very reliable. MInd due right now the US exchange rate isn't great.

Generally known online as OpenMedia, now working for Red Hat APAC as a Technology Evangelist and Portfolio Architect. Still playing with MythTV and digital media on the side.

Tzoi

424 posts

Ultimate Geek

#3250933 19-Jun-2024 19:27

Jase2985:
Tzoi: My main concern is normally with shipping hard drives is not being sure on how well packaged they are.

I just bought some refurbished server hdds for my NAS which are much cheaper so I'll see how they go

i personally would never trust any of my important data to a refurbished drive.

This is why I have a parity drive (which is a brand new one) :D

EviLClouD

266 posts

Ultimate Geek

#3253766 27-Jun-2024 11:47

Sorry to hijack the thread but are these (or Toshiba drives in general) a good buy at these prices? I assume the performance drive > NAS for desktop storage?

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1759590-REG/toshiba_hdwr31gxzsta_x300_performance_16tb.html

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1818840-REG/toshiba_hdwg51gxzsta_16tb_n300_7200rpm_sata.html

Jase2985

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#3253849 27-Jun-2024 15:04

The X300 look to be internal HDD's for a PC or DAS or something like that where as the N300 apear to be specific NAS HDD's

N300 has 1 year longer warranty and double the MTTF

There is $10USD difference so I know what I would be buying

Seagate Ironwolf pros are $320 at newegg for the same size

Yoban

447 posts

Ultimate Geek

#3253898 27-Jun-2024 16:56

Been a long time user of Toshiba N300's for the NAS (unraid box and Readynas). Quiet, come well packaged for overseas purchases mainly Amazon and often on sale.
Amazon.com: Toshiba N300 8TB NAS 3.5-Inch Internal Hard Drive - CMR SATA 6 GB/s 7200 RPM 512 MB Cache - HDWG780XZSTA : Electronics