I am looking at getting an external HD soon to keep a backup of my important Web Design stuff, and to keep it separate from all my 'other' stuff.

My partner also uses the PC and my young daughter - So it removes costly accidents!!

 

I *may* be getting a mac in the new year so want one that can run on PC and mac(Might be silly thing to say, but just incase some don't work well on either )

 

Any recommendations would be appreciated as there are loads out there to choose from!

 

Huw

just an external HD or a NAS? QNAP do some pretty cool NAS devices.

just an external HD or a NAS? QNAP do some pretty cool NAS devices.

NAS??!! never heard of it tbh!

 

Was just thinking an external drive.

network attached storage

 

gives you so much more than something plugged in to a PC or Mac

 

eg. http://www.qnap.com/pro_detail_feature.asp?p_id=182

Basically a External HDD is faster and plugs in your USB ports (pretty sure most of them support Win7 etc/OSX).

 

http://www.ebuyer.com/product/176613

 

I have that one, £50 for a 1TB... Thats 1000GB if you dont know.

 

A NAS plugs into your router via ethernet cable and can be accessed wirelessly by any PC in your house. We have one, bought it a while back (250GB) when they were new out. Also they do have a USB port so it doesnt have to be used over the network. They are great, but the downsides are:

 

- Pretty slow when moving loads of files across

- If something goes wrong and you dont know much about networking, they are a bloody pain to sort out (as you dont want to go and reset the thing with all your data on it).

- If someone gains access to your wireless they can get onto all of your files - Not so much of a problem these days but if you live in a built up area you never know whos on your wireless.

- While copying large files, your internet gets slowed right down as the router is concentrating on those files.

 

All in all, if you want to store your files, get an External HDD, a NAS for our house is great for allowing us to transfer small files between computers, but they are too much hassle for big files. Plus External HDD's are hell of alot cheaper for more storeage space.

I would just go for an external hard drive, personally mate.

 

Western Digital are an excellent hard drive manufacturer, and I've had a few Seagate drives in my computer and have had no problems with them either.

 

I'm actually looking to get an external hard drive for christmas too, and I will more than likely go for a Western Digital drive.

 

Only thing left to consider is the storage space, and perhaps the form factor of the drive, if its physical size is a concern for you. Theres probably no point in going any smaller than 500GB as this is so cheap these days anyways, and usually for £15quid or so more you can get 1TB.

 

Kyle

Basically a External HDD is faster and plugs in your USB ports (pretty sure most of them support Win7 etc/OSX).

 

http://www.ebuyer.com/product/176613

 

I have that one, £50 for a 1TB... Thats 1000GB if you dont know.

 

A NAS plugs into your router via ethernet cable and can be accessed wirelessly by any PC in your house. We have one, bought it a while back (250GB) when they were new out. Also they do have a USB port so it doesnt have to be used over the network. They are great, but the downsides are:

 

- Pretty slow when moving loads of files across

- If something goes wrong and you dont know much about networking, they are a bloody pain to sort out (as you dont want to go and reset the thing with all your data on it).

- If someone gains access to your wireless they can get onto all of your files - Not so much of a problem these days but if you live in a built up area you never know whos on your wireless.

- While copying large files, your internet gets slowed right down as the router is concentrating on those files.

 

All in all, if you want to store your files, get an External HDD, a NAS for our house is great for allowing us to transfer small files between computers, but they are too much hassle for big files. Plus External HDD's are hell of alot cheaper for more storeage space.

 

Sounds good, except the reviews state that large transfers break as the HD shuts down during the process?? Have you experienced this?

I would just go for an external hard drive, personally mate.

 

Western Digital are an excellent hard drive manufacturer, and I've had a few Seagate drives in my computer and have had no problems with them either.

 

I'm actually looking to get an external hard drive for christmas too, and I will more than likely go for a Western Digital drive.

 

Only thing left to consider is the storage space, and perhaps the form factor of the drive, if its physical size is a concern for you. Theres probably no point in going any smaller than 500GB as this is so cheap these days anyways, and usually for £15quid or so more you can get 1TB.

 

Kyle

 

Found this one: My link

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B002E7HEVU/ref=nosim/?tag=hotukdeals-21

 

£46 for 1TB delivered. Western Digital.

I have never had any experience with it shutting down... They must have wrapped it in a towel or something and it over heated, and if it does the HDD is external.

 

That one above is a good deal!

I have been using a 500g 3.5 Western Digital with a Firewire and USB interface for a couple of years and still working fine. I used to have a Maxtor external drive but it conked out after a year.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B002E7HEVU/ref=nosim/?tag=hotukdeals-21

 

£46 for 1TB delivered. Western Digital.

 

I think I'll be buying one of these when my student loan comes though. Bargain! Cheers buddy

Thanks guys. Will get one in jan!!

just an external HD or a NAS? QNAP do some pretty cool NAS devices.

 

Really this information resolved my problem.

I've got a 500gb Iomega HD pretty sick... but the paint scratches easy. I wish I brought the Lacie drive with the silicone casing.