Seagate or WD Elements 2TB External?

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Youi

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#89016 25-Aug-2011 08:20

So I've run out of space .. again >< I've had a Seagate 320GB for a few years, but have only used it once a week for backing up, and I've never had a WD product. I think ill be using the 2TB daily, as an extension of my Laptops 500GB HDD, it will be mainly for storing my videos and movies. Does anyone have an opinion on either of these External HDDs for daily use (My laptop is on roughly 23 hours a day, including 12 hours use during the day and 6 hours downloading over night)? I'm reading all the reviews I can online, but I know there are some smart people here whos opinions are likely to be truly useful! Cheers in advance :)

Seagate Desktop Expansion 2TB 3.5" External Hard Drive
http://dicksmith.co.nz/product/XH9888/seagate-desktop-expansion-2tb-3-5-quot-external-hard-drive

Or
WD Elements 2TB Desktop Hard Drive
http://dicksmith.co.nz/product/XH1218/wd-elements-2tb-desktop-hard-drive

ETA: the URLs in case people want to see them
ETAA: what the last edit was for xD

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Geek @ Coastguard NZ
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#511597 25-Aug-2011 08:36

Ive got a 1TB WD Elements I purchased about a year ago, it is a little sluggish but if its mainly for storage rather than actively using/thrashing it, its fine.

Gavin / xpd / FastRaccoon / Geek of Coastguard New Zealand

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toyonut

1508 posts

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#511615 25-Aug-2011 08:57

Either will be fine. I have friends who swear by Seagate, but I have never had a problem with Seagate or WD in any of the laptops or desktops or external drives I have used. At the moment I have a 640Gb WD drive in a Seagate case! Works fine but going to get a Tb or 2Tb drive soon hopefully.
Get the Seagate cos it is cheaper.

Try Vultr using this link and get us both some credit:

http://www.vultr.com/?ref=7033587-3B

reven

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#511624 25-Aug-2011 09:09

ill never buy seagate again, a couple of years ago their drives had lots of issues and needed firmware fixes that didnt really work. caused a lot of pain for a lot of people, their build quality seems to have gone a lot over the years. pay the little bit more and get the western digital, its better quality.

just my 2 cents.

jonb

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#511654 25-Aug-2011 09:54

my 2c is that the WD elements seem to break just out of warranty (sample size: 2 out of 2). Bought a Seagate 1TB usb powered from PB tech a few months ago and it's behaving itself so far..

vexxxboy

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#511655 25-Aug-2011 09:56

i have had both and both failed after a year, i now have a iomega 1Tb unit , and i must say im really impressed , i paid $99 for it and it even looks good sitting on the desk and it feels built to last and it has a 3 year warranty.

Common sense is not as common as you think.

xpd

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#511661 25-Aug-2011 10:07

vexxxboy: i have had both and both failed after a year, i now have a iomega 1Tb unit , and i must say im really impressed , i paid $99 for it and it even looks good sitting on the desk and it feels built to last and it has a 3 year warranty.

And the HDD in it is probably a Seagate or WD anyway ;)

Weve got a couple of Iomega external drive units at work, and been impressed with them so far.

Gavin / xpd / FastRaccoon / Geek of Coastguard New Zealand

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SCUBADOO

192 posts

Master Geek

#511823 25-Aug-2011 13:17

reven: ill never buy seagate again, a couple of years ago their drives had lots of issues and needed firmware fixes that didnt really work. caused a lot of pain for a lot of people, their build quality seems to have gone a lot over the years. pay the little bit more and get the western digital, its better quality.

just my 2 cents.

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tigercorp

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Ultimate Geek

#511834 25-Aug-2011 13:29

I'd be making sure that the WD drive is internally connecting by SATA before buying WD again.

On the smaller usb powered Element drives they're now coming with the micro usb connector integrated with the disk's pc board. Which means if something fails, you can't just put the disk in another enclosure.

Otherwise, if the price is the same just pick the one with the longest warranty.

nickb800

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#511836 25-Aug-2011 13:35

Since your collecting 2c:
My mate works at warehouse stationary and reckons he deals with by far more seagate HDD returns that WD, so he goes for WD all the way. Personally I have one of each and they both seem to be fine!

scuwp

3885 posts

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#511851 25-Aug-2011 13:49

I have 1 of each brand purchased from PB Tech, both 1TB. Both are the portable type (no extra power cables needed - yay). Can't complain about either (touch wood!). Both brands have 3 year warranty. The most recent was the WD, only by virtue of the salespersons wink and a nudge about having less warranty issues compared to the Seagate.

Lazy is such an ugly word, I prefer to call it selective participation

cyril7

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#511862 25-Aug-2011 14:04

I was talking with the proprietor of a large online store the other day on this matter, based on returned product his advise was dont touch Seagate, and WD, Hitachi, Sammy are streets better in this regard.

Cyril

Snug

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Geek

#513117 28-Aug-2011 17:34

Another WD fan here, never had a problem myself or known of anyone either. I just got the 2TB MyBook Essential and really pleased with it. An extra $40 though.

Youi

80 posts

Master Geek

#513524 29-Aug-2011 15:54

Wow you guys have given me a lot of info to think about! Thank you so much for all taking the time to reply!~

timmmay

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#513539 29-Aug-2011 16:30

I've had a dozen Seagate drives over the past 10 years, from 160GB up to 2TB. None have failed yet. I had one WF Black 2TB drive, it's a year old and fine. I trust both brands. Remember all drives will fail, the only question is when. Offsite backups are essential for any data you care about.

It's often the cheap cases they put around them that fail. If any do take the actual drive out and try putting that inside a computer.

External USB 2.0 disks are pretty slow, but should be ok for downloads and movies. This is another reason I don't like laptops, which can generally only take one disk.

vexxxboy

4243 posts

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#513548 29-Aug-2011 16:55

just seen a 3Tb WD Hard drive at Noel Leeming this week for $269

Common sense is not as common as you think.

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