External Hard Drives

Darren Dirt · December 23, 2006, 09:16:22 AM

Memory Express is where I plan on going to pick up some blank CDs/DVDs, but I have also been considering picking up an external hard drive.

I check the ME website, WOW what a deal:

Maxtor 300GB OneTouch III External Hard Drive, USB 2.0
http://www.memoryexpress.com/index.php?PageTag=&page=file&memx_menu=EmbedProductDetail.php&DisplayProductID=8981

Am I wrong? Is that a killer sweet price or what?

The "Christmas Deals" page lists a few other external drives, but nothing as low a price... is there anything wrong with the Maxtors? (compared to, say, the WD models that are also listed).

Tom · December 23, 2006, 10:22:56 AM

Its not bad for an external drive, usually they mark them up a lot more...

Samsung SpinPoint PATA 8MB cache 300GB: 99.95$
Vantec USB2 Enclosure: 49.95$

total: $149.90

Shayne · December 23, 2006, 10:26:02 AM

You can do a lot better then that.

Maxtor 300GB @ $179.95 = $0.60/GB
LaCie 250GB @ $89.00 = $0.36/GB
Do it yourself samsung @ $149.90 = $0.50/GB

...your Maxtor is nearly double the cost per GB. Shop around and wait for a deal if you can. I got mine through Dell when they did their Dell Days of Deals a couple months back. They do the deal days once every 6-8 weeks it seems.

Free shipping on the Dell too (took about 3 days to arrive)

Darren Dirt · December 23, 2006, 11:24:09 AM

Quote from: Tom on December 23, 2006, 10:22:56 AM
Vantec USB2 Enclosure: 49.95$

I also noticed that they sell USB2 enclosures separately as well... I think I just want a convenient, plug-and-use type of magicbox, cuz I'm seriously considering getting a mid-range laptop in the new year (in the spring, as the fiscal year ends for most companies) and having a 300GB external would make file transfers etc. a snap.

Does using a USB enclosure have any downsides compared to just getting a standalone external?

PS: Shayne, thanks for that info... Makes me confused, now, why Memory Express has in their Big Christmas Promo Page, such a -- so it appears -- not-so-good deal... Or maybe the Maxtor they're selling is new and/or has features beyond the one you got from Dell? (e.g. cache, shock protection, power consumption?)

Lazybones · December 23, 2006, 11:33:23 AM

The USB 2 enclosures should give you the same benefit, as well as let you put in larger cheaper drives down the road.

Shayne · December 23, 2006, 11:47:48 AM

Quote from: Darren Dirt on December 23, 2006, 11:24:09 AMPS: Shayne, thanks for that info... Makes me confused, now, why Memory Express has in their Big Christmas Promo Page, such a -- so it appears -- not-so-good deal... Or maybe the Maxtor they're selling is new and/or has features beyond the one you got from Dell? (e.g. cache, shock protection, power consumption?)

I'm not going to research this for you, but I purchased mine to be a backup drive. It sits on top of my PC and hasn't moved since the day I took it out of the box. If paying double is what you are into, then go on ahead.

Lazybones · December 23, 2006, 11:49:53 AM

The reason is Dell purchase those things the crazy high volumes and probably got a big discount from Maxtor at the time.. Dell deals are often very short term.

Darren Dirt · December 23, 2006, 12:08:06 PM

Looks like, yup, that was a HUGE discount that isn't available anymore.

$189 is now the price for Shayne's drive.

Maybe I'll drop by ME and check out the USB2 enclosures and wait until a huge price drop on a SATA II drive that can be used in the enclosure...

Shayne · December 23, 2006, 12:16:34 PM

Yup, they last 24 hours and normally sell out before then. That is why I said "Shop around and wait for a deal if you can."

Tom · December 26, 2006, 12:44:24 AM

Want a good dollar/GB? Memory express seems to have a 500GB MaxLine Pro SATAII for 179.95, $0.36 (0.03599) per GB. Boxing day only.

Lazybones · December 26, 2006, 12:48:58 AM

Samsung 300GB SpinPoint T133 7200rpm ATA w/ 8MB Cache are only $99.95 making them only 0.33/GB

Seagate 320GB Barracuda 7200.10 ATA w/ 16MB Cache for $114.95 also $0.36/GB

The 500 are a great deal but I though I would point these other two out as they are also good deals if you are building a raid... For single drive costs those 500 are awesome.... unless your file server only has ATA connections..