Hi, I have been searching for a while but can't decide which external hard drive to get. Reliability isn't a big concern, I shall only be using it to store xvids for watching on a car laptop. It will need to be bus-powered, as I have no reliable source of 240V in the car. Price will need to be < £70, and capacity, the more the better. Thanks. EDIT: Someone mentioned you can power some from two usb ports for extra power? I have 3 spare on the laptop, so that would be ok.
You can use the USB to power them, but the most you'll get is 10V out of it. Theres two options: 1. Make a molex port from the PSU (v. risky) or Car (less risky) 2. Get a small external drive. My mum has a 40GB drive, I thinks its a toshiba "Handy Drive" which is 40GB, but I can't find it anywhere at the moment. EDIT: Just found this http://www.ebuyer.com/UK/product/108773
You can always do the drive and the caddy seperately as well. Just find a 2.5" caddy (you can't bus-power 3.5" drives) that is USB powered and throw in whatever drive you fancy. 100GB (4200rpm) drives are around £70 or 80GB ones are about £50
Generaly 2.5" external drives are usb powered and 3.5" ones arn't however i remember seeing a 3.5" caddy that is powered from two usb ports, i'll see if i can find it for you.
2.5" drives can be USB powered because they only need 5v. I don't see how a 3.5" drive, which requires both 5v and 12v, could be powered from USB
