(Portable) external hard drives

[#1]

I'm thinking of buying an external hard drive for backing up and maybe downloading pics, if necessary from camera.
I see examples described in two ways on a large on line seller sire.
1) external hard drive,
2) usb external hard drive .
Is there a difference, the second having no functionality without a PC to connect to, perhaps?
I would appreciate your views and any recommendations.
Thanks

[#2]

Hi lucerne!
I have not found any Ext HD enclosures that are not USB 2.0. They are an excellent means for backing-up. I have had some problems with Ubuntu 8.04 laptop not seeing an Akasa integral 2 1/2" drive with a working Win98SE system on it which has been put down to an obscure USB problem. The same machine was very happy with a Sunplus 3 1/2" drive, also with the Win98SE system (now cleared off). Both drives are USB 2.0 and IDE and I am unable to see why there has been a difference. You do not specify your machine so I cannot advise further, just be aware that with Ubuntu there can be a problem.

colintivy  😕

[#3]

So do I assume that none have an independent power supply? That being so, is there a dodge to permit downloading from a camera or card, when no PC is to hand?

[#4]

Hi,
The other possibility for an external drive is an e-SATA drive. They're external and quite a bit faster than USB drives from what I understand.
Also there's the possibility of a NAS, which is a Hard Drive accessible via a network (or at least network cable).
With regards to backing up to an external Hard Drive without a PC being on I think it varies. My NAS (a Thecus N1200) has a USB port on the front that you can plug in a USB pendrive (or I guess a USB memory card adaptor) and a button that will copy the contents to a directory on the HDD (not sure how a multi-card adaptor would work mind you).

[#5]

Hi Lucerne,
I'm pretty sure that none of these devices will connect to a camera rather than to a PC (I think that's what you're asking).
Some, mostly the larger 3.5" drives, have a separate power supply. Most 2.5" USB hard drives are powered fromthe USB, often with a 'Y' connector and 2 USB plugs as a single USB port may not always provide enough power.
If your camera has the ability to save direct to a USB drive then my first statement will be incorrect but most cameras connect to a PC as a USB 'slave' device in much the same way as a USB stick (pen drive) or a USB hard-drive, there needs to be a USB 'Root Port' on the system to drive the USB devices (this is normally part of the PC),

[#6]

Thank you for the education: I'll have to do some mulling (mental not alcoholic ;)).

[#7]

Oh, go on, it's the right time of year for the alcoholic type!

[#8]

I have an XS Drive II that is about 4 years old and it does what you want, it has a rechargeable battery, several different card slot, an exchangeable 2.5 hard drive and  swaps the info from card to its disc.  it can then be interrogated when back home via USB to PC.  has worked OK for me since I was on WIN 98, now using it on XP, and a Linux netbook
the newer ones are here http://www.xs-drive.com/

[#9]

Quote from: lucerne

So do I assume that none have an independent power supply?

Mine does have an external power supply and as far as I'm aware most do.
USB ones are great but they seem a bit prone to packing up after a year or so. Not a major problem as most people take them apart and fit the drive into their computer. It's only the USB boards in the plastic case that seem to be the weak point not the physical drive itself.

[#10]

I havent found that mine have had a weak point with the usb board on my WD passports.
One thing to note with the new generation of portable usb powered hard drives is that they do not have a SATA connector, the usb controller is integrated directly with the drive.

[#11]

Hi lucerne,
It is just a thought but USB Pen Drives are also a possibility, at least they do not have any moving parts. I note that Kingston do a 16GB Datatraveler at around £30 and a 8GB version at £16 which seem to be more economic than a ext. HD. Ubuntu treats them as SCSI, no doubt Windows might do the same.
colintivy

[#12]

you must be joking  http://www.maplin.co.uk/module.aspx?ModuleNo=257315&C=web-newsletter&U=10P01-1-A51JK&T=385945
1TB Seagate External Hard Drive
only £69.99 - on sale until 26/01/2010