External Hard Drive

[daffy654]

My stepson has asked for an external hard drive for his birthday and I am looking for recommendations. It is for a laptop (if that makes any difference) and needs to be at least 250gb.
I have my eye on this one:
http://www.play.com/PC/PCs/-/2144/1411/-/35949 37/Toshiba-PX1394U-3G50-500GB-USB-2-0-3-5-Exte rnal-Hard-Drive/Product.html?searchtype=genre

but before I buy it I would like the opinion of the helpful techies here :)
Thanks in advance.

[theitdude]

This is a great choice if he intends to not take it out with him, the Toshiba is a 3.5inch type, if he needs portability look at 2.5inch models. I use Western Digital products, have a look>> http://www.westerndigital.com/en/index.asp, but shop around at places like misco.co.uk or dabs.com.

[fo3nix]

I'd check one thing with him first: portable external hard drive or 'desktop' external hard drive? (i.e., will he be carrying it round with him, or will it mainly be sitting on his desk next to the laptop?)

Here are my desktop recommendations:

http://www.ebuyer.com/product/145041
http://www.ebuyer.com/product/136212

Here are my portable recommendations:

http://www.ebuyer.com/product/149197
http://www.ebuyer.com/product/141558

[daffy654]

Ok....we have ascertained that he wants the more portable type so my choice is out of the window now.lol
Thanks for the advice,i'm glad I decided to post here before buying!

[fo3nix]

OK.

I can recommend ebuyer.com (or amazon.co.uk) for good service and good prices. Play are good too though.

ebuyer specifically has a portable external hard drive section (see my links), with the latest offers, etc.

Good brands for hard drives include Toshiba, Hitachi, Western Digital (WD), LaCie, Maxtor, and Seagate.