I am looking for an external hard drive for backing up photo files from my laptop in the field, so I need one that does not require an external power source.
Hi Harley. This thread over at TPN includes both discussion and links regarding portable drives. We've had great luck with the process, but using Macs we have come to rely on Firewire rather than USB2. It's a whole lot faster.
Harley, I cannot provide suggestions on which one to buy, but I can suggest something that could complicate your problem
If weight is not a real consideration, I would reccomend a standalone USB 2.0 connected "hard drive enclosure" only. And then buy standard hard drives to work with them.
This way, you don't get tied to a particular manufacturer and capacity, can always upgrade, and can use any accessory that works with an external hard drive enclosure - like external CD writers, DVD burners, etc. etc.
However if you want reccomendations on external storage for backing up photos "without needing" a laptop, then I would suggest the Eastgear PD-70X. I have been using it, it's blisteringly fast, and can take standard AA batteries, and am very happy with it. Here it is: http://www.compactdrive.com/product_info.php?products_id=31
I believe they have come out with a new version, the MD80: http://www.compactdrive.com/product_info.php?products_id=29
Posted by Rod Barbee on January 2, 2007 at 1:02 PM
I've been using a Western Digital Passport 80Gbyte drive as extra backup for my laptop. It's powered by the USB port. They come in various sizes from 40-120 Gbyte and are at a reasonable price.
Posted by Fred Renich on January 3, 2007 at 12:10 PM
Harley, LaCie makes a couple of rugged portable hard drives in 120 gig and 160 gig size. Both run off of firewire and USB 2.0 connections with no external power supply needed. They work with both Mac's or PC's. You can purchase them from most mail order computer companies like MacMall or PCMall.
Posted by Joe Austin on January 4, 2007 at 6:52 AM
I'll second the nod for the Western Digital Passport. I haven't had it long, but I recently bought one for a trip to Kenya. It survived three weeks of bouncing along Kenyan roads. It fits easily in a shirt pocket and weighs next to nothing. Doesn't seem to drain the laptop battery too heavily either.
Some replies here have missed the point of you wanting it powered via the laptop, no external power.
You will need an enclosure that holds a 2.5 inch laptop hard drive, all enclosures for 3.5 in drives require external power.
You can find just the enclosure and buy the drive seperately, this is quite easy to put together. Or, as suggested the Western Digital Passport, which holds a 2.5 inch drive, is one option. You don't say whether you are using a PC or Mac. A USB device will probably be required for a pc laptop because most (all that I have seen anyhow) only have 4 pin firewire connectors and these do not provide power to external devices. I believe all Mac laptops that have firewire are 6 pin and provide power, but you should confirm that.
Discussion
6 repliesAny recommendations?
If weight is not a real consideration, I would reccomend a standalone USB 2.0 connected "hard drive enclosure" only. And then buy standard hard drives to work with them.
This way, you don't get tied to a particular manufacturer and capacity, can always upgrade, and can use any accessory that works with an external hard drive enclosure - like external CD writers, DVD burners, etc. etc.
However if you want reccomendations on external storage for backing up photos "without needing" a laptop, then I would suggest the Eastgear PD-70X. I have been using it, it's blisteringly fast, and can take standard AA batteries, and am very happy with it. Here it is: http://www.compactdrive.com/product_info.php?products_id=31
I believe they have come out with a new version, the MD80: http://www.compactdrive.com/product_info.php?products_id=29
Some replies here have missed the point of you wanting it powered via the laptop, no external power.
You will need an enclosure that holds a 2.5 inch laptop hard drive, all enclosures for 3.5 in drives require external power.
You can find just the enclosure and buy the drive seperately, this is quite easy to put together. Or, as suggested the Western Digital Passport, which holds a 2.5 inch drive, is one option. You don't say whether you are using a PC or Mac. A USB device will probably be required for a pc laptop because most (all that I have seen anyhow) only have 4 pin firewire connectors and these do not provide power to external devices. I believe all Mac laptops that have firewire are 6 pin and provide power, but you should confirm that.
Duane