Archive for the ‘External Hard Drive’ Category
Seagate Expansion 1 TB USB 2.0 Desktop External Hard Drive ST310005EXA101-RK
Backing up data can be considered a very important task as disc failures that can occur anytime leaving the user at a loss of important information. What is primarily expected of an external hard drive is reliability and durability. The process of setting the unit up and data transfer has to be a relatively hassle free procedure with no compatibility problems related to the computer the device is being used. Also, price is an important factor as there are a variety of storage options available.
The Seagate 1TB external hard drive makes use of USB 2.0 to connect to the computer and also needs to be connected to a power outlet to get it going. Using the unit is as easy as plugging it in and transferring data as the device comes pre formatted as NTFS. It also does not need any device drivers to be downloaded, making the viewer start his work immediately after connecting the unit to the computer. The units design is sleek and attractive with a low profile. It also has a small green LED on its face that tells the user when the device is at work and when it is not. The unit does not heat up much and most of them have been reportedly working without the slightest noise, with a few exceptions though.
The hard drive goes to a standby mode when not in use for a certain period of time, thus saving power as it has the Green feature and makes use of less power when it is idle. It is possible to partition the hard drive and use the different sections for different purposes. It does not come with any kind of unnecessary software and it also has the ability to turn itself on and off automatically when the PC boots up. It can also be connected to a play station with reliable service. It can again be used as a back up for Dish Network shows. It is always important to run a surface scan on the drive before using it though, as it helps in knowing if there are any bad sectors on it and can be fixed accordingly if any. If the device is found to be clean, it can be used immediately without any concern.
Most of the users who are not pleased with the device have found a reasonably loud clicking sound that the unit makes while in operation. The vents for cooling the hard drive are located at the bottom and that does no prove to be an efficient design as the bottom is always covered by the desk and that makes the device hot after operating for a considerable amount of time. The outer material of the device is not attractive as it attracts fingerprints and is prone to scratches. Also there is a lag found when playing videos on the computer directly from the disc. The unit cannot be considered portable as it has to be connected to a power outlet during its use.
Overall, the device is a reliable one though a few defective products were seen with a few users. If you are lucky enough to get the right one, it is definitely worth the value.
Western Digital WD Elements 1 TB USB 2.0 Desktop External Hard Drive
If the search is for a solid drive that is not fancy, does the required job, is reasonable with respect to size and price, then the WD 1 TB would be the best deal. It does the basic job of storing data and keeping it secure in a reliable manner. It serves both, as an excellent piece of backup for all the important stuff from the computer, and also as a device used to add storage capability to the dish networks DVR etc., and in the latter purpose, there have been no indications of blocking or dropped frames.
The hard drive already comes formatted with FAT 32. So it has to be formatted to NTFS if using windows. This can take somewhere around 3-3.5 hours as the space is extreme. It also helps in recognizing any bad areas or sectors in the disc if any. So far, the disc has never shown such complaints anyways. There is no manual provided and there are no programs that come with the drive as all that is unnecessary material. The setup is very easy and does not need any skill. Once the device is connected to the computer, it automatically utilizes device drivers from windows. The user could just plug it in and start using it.
One important aspect that the user first notices about the drive is that it is super silent. It also does not heat up much. Even after an overnights use, it might just get a bit warm, but never really hot. The durability of the product deserves an accolade as it comes with a very tough metal body and has rubberized anti slip protectors on both the ends. These can be useful to damp down vibrations and also allow stacking of other drive on top of it, leaving space for air flow required to cool them down. There’s plenty of space which is really important and it also comes with a 1 year warranty. Nothing more the user could ask for.
The major drawback is that there is no on/off switch on the device. It has to be unplugged in order to power it off. The computer does not boot up, the next time it is switched on, as the device was not turned off. The drive comes pre-formatted with FAT 32. but the problem is that it does not allow transfer of files larger than 4 GB in that case. The lack of Firewire or eSata connections can be seen as another downside as the USB connection isn’t very fast. Also, the blue light, which says that the device is running, is at the back of it and not normally visible.
On the whole, it is a very tough and reliable hard drive with an affordable price for loads of storage space and remarkable quality. It totally meets all the users requirements with the plain, simple, quiet and cool features it has.
