External HDD prices

LMatrixM on 19/05/2013 - 03:22

I've been meaning to buy an external hdd for a while but am unsure as to what prices to accept as a bargain. I'm not that tech savvy, due to inexperience rather an inability to comprehend.

I've seen 2TB seagates selling for $70 or so, but I've been told that seagates are unreliable and stop working after a year or so.
I've been told to go for WD or Samsung, but the best WD prices I've found (courtesy of ozbargainers) are close to $70 for 1 TB.
e.g.
http://www.harveynorman.com.au/western-digital-elements-1tb-…
Double the price of the seagate. Haven't seen any Samsung deals around.

I've also been told it's usually cheaper to buy an internal and a case, making my own external. I haven't seen any proof of this in aussie stores, but the person who told me this is from the usa, so perhaps that particular case of arbitrage isn't applicable here.

So, what prices should I look for per TB?
And at what point do HDDs require a power socket? (I'd rather it be powered purely through the USB)

Computing

Comments

  • berger on 19/05/2013 - 08:19

    Look at recent external HDD deals here. More votes mean its good value.

    There is external hard drives and portable hard drives. The portable is USB powered and more expensive. Being smaller and only a 2.5 inch hard drive.

    • MatrixM on 19/05/2013 - 12:53

      Ah, whereas the externals require a socket? I guess that explains some price discrepancies I've seen. Thanks.

  • korsion on 19/05/2013 - 11:07

    MSY Are selling this same hard drive for $55

    • illumination on 19/05/2013 - 11:54

      That's the 500GB

      Btw OP I don't know too much about hard drives in general either but I got that Harvey Norman one you linked to. I got it from Officeworks price beat (coming to $64.60) and then I paid with ING Paywave :).

      So $61.37 for a 1TB portable hard drive, seems pretty decent in the current market. Like berger above, I just tend to look at ozbargain deals and comments to determine what's good/cheap.

      • MatrixM on 19/05/2013 - 12:51

        Nice work. :D
        I'd completely forgotten about the paywave thing. If I don't find something better by tomorrow, perhaps I'll go with that after uni tomorrow. And that way I don't have to pay for postage either, as Officeworks is nearby, next to the free bus stop \o/ Thanks.

      • korsion on 19/05/2013 - 18:08

        Sorry you are right it was the the 500 :p
        I dont know if this helps or not but i purchased the WD Passport 1TB from officeworks today for $90 which was retailing at $129 from Jb Hifi and Hardly normal.

      • MatrixM on 20/05/2013 - 17:22

        I just did this today and am transferring over manya GB.
        My thanks to all contributors to the thread :)
        EDIT: One thing, though. It says it has 931GB. Not 1024 or 1000. I expected it to be a little under 1000, but not almost 70 GB under. Does anyone know where this memory has gone?

        • tonyjzx on 20/05/2013 - 17:43

          its normal

          dont sweat it

          its how windows calculates space

          just wait until you buy 2-3-4tb drives and see how much you lose there

        • MatrixM on 20/05/2013 - 18:05

          You're scaring me. o.o

          :P

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