External Hard Drives

[porkchop]

Could someone please explain the difference between a Desktop External Hard Drive and a portable Hard Drive. Apart from the obvious what is the difference inside the boxes. I just need a sort of a huge capacity USB key if that means sense. Hope you can help. Any hints as to a good 500gb make. Thanks.

[Buenchico]

Explained here:
http://www.brighthub....e/articles/43498.aspx

Chris

[VHG]

There are two physical sizes of disks - 3.5" (that go in desktops) and 2.5" (that go in laptops).

3.5" desktop drives require a mains supply so a desktop external hard drive can only be used near a mains socket.

2.5" laptop hard drives can (normally) get all their power from the USB socket so can be used "on the go (portable).

Desktop drives can usualy hold more data (they go up to 2Tb) whereas laptop drives are smaller (they go up to 1Tb).

You generally pay more for a "portable" drive than a "desktop" drive (for the same gigabyte size)

[AlBags]

This is all good stuff ...
http://go.iomega.com/...ortable/?partner=4735

[porkchop]

thank you all, very helpful.

[baitress]

Hey VHG. I think you will find that most
external Hard drives can be used by plugging
them into a USB port either 2.0 or the newer
3,0 USB. They do not require a mains supply.

[VHG]

>>>> I think you will find that most external Hard drives can be used by plugging
them into a USB port

Are you sure? I have 3 desktop external hard drives and they all require them to be plugged into the mains.

[ChuckFickens]

3.5inch hard drives require a 12V supply, USB ports only supply 5V

So you do need a separate PSU for any EHD based on a 3.5 drive.