Portable External Hard Drives

It's been a while since I traveled with a laptop, and am shooting a DLSR in a new (to me) housing. I doubt I will burn DVD's while away, but do want to backup my files.

In the past I used an Epson P-2000 and P-4000, but am looking for a small in size large capacity portable Hard Drive. Has anyone done a recent search?

I do not see a thread on workflow here, but would appreciate suggestions on that as well.

Thanks so much ..

It's been a while since I traveled with a laptop, and am shooting a DLSR in a new (to me) housing. I doubt I will burn DVD's while away, but do want to backup my files.

 

In the past I used an Epson P-2000 and P-4000, but am looking for a small in size large capacity portable Hard Drive. Has anyone done a recent search?

 

I do not see a thread on workflow here, but would appreciate suggestions on that as well.

 

Thanks so much ..

Here is one good thread

http://wetpixel.com/forums/index.php?showt...92&hl=drive

I got one of these (older model) that I really like it, also incudes error checking and image recovery.

http://www.hyperdrive.com/

Also there are many inexpesnive drives, such as the WD portables. They are thin and so far pretty reliable for me (i have many small drives) and even the USB only option is not too bad when transferring files. I usually use the Hyperdrive then also back up to a couple of portables. I am a bit OCD about that.

Bob,

I've been very happy with the LaCie portable hard drives. I bought one for my trip to Indonesia last fall and it performed flawlessly. It was lightweight which was good for travel. It also had a built in cord for the USB port which meant I didn't have to worry about losing a cord. Mine also had a firewire connection. Here's a link to the various portable drives they offer:

Lacie Portable Drives

Right now they have a special on one of their rugged hard drives. Costs only $75.

LaCie Rugged Hard Drive

In the thread that Drew linked to, the Lacie Rugged Hard Drive was mentioned.

Ellen

Here is one good thread

I usually use the Hyperdrive then also back up to a couple of portables. I am a bit OCD about that.

Drew,

Thanks for the thread and link. Do you use the Hyperdrive instead of a laptop, or in conjunction/addition with a laptop?

I have seen many items like the Wolverine, Hyperdrive, Epson, etc, which would be great for travel. But, I am new to U/W photography and really think I need to look at some images closely to see if what I am doing needs corrrection.

I like the WD link, the 500GB is $30 off right now. That could keep me bust for a few months.

Further, on another thread I saw some info about NetBooks. Much smaller than my 15" MBP and at <$400, I'd feel better about traveling with it. Of, course, I'd still want a portable drive to as backup.

Thanks,

Drew,

 

Thanks for the thread and link. Do you use the Hyperdrive instead of a laptop, or in conjunction/addition with a laptop?

 

I have seen many items like the Wolverine, Hyperdrive, Epson, etc, which would be great for travel. But, I am new to U/W photography and really think I need to look at some images closely to see if what I am doing needs corrrection.

 

I like the WD link, the 500GB is $30 off right now. That could keep me bust for a few months.

 

Further, on another thread I saw some info about NetBooks. Much smaller than my 15" MBP and at <$400, I'd feel better about traveling with it. Of, course, I'd still want a portable drive to as backup.

 

Thanks,

I use the Hyperdrive in conjunction with my computer and external drives. I will make a copy to the Hyperdrive, at least one external then my laptop before I start touching anything.

I also have a boot partition with utilities on one of the drives just in case and with the larger USB pen drives, also have been able to fit it on those. Of course since I started that, I have not needed that, but one trip I did, so started that procedure

Of course there all of the drives are in the same place, but I am often in places with room safes and put one of the drives in there. Never had an incident though. It is not a bad idea to have a computer like you said, and size is a consideration. I am a Mac person myself, and my main laptops now are a 15" and 17" Intel machines. The 17" is great for longer trips especially if you are settling down in a place for a bit of time (such as hotel, condo) though the weight and size can be difficult especially when carrying all the other toys (I also carry a video rig). In other words when I have taken the 17" (like most of the other equipment) my poor wife listens to me curse until we get where we are going, then listens to me say how happy I hauled everything once I hit the water and plug things into the wall

The 15" inch is a balance for me in terms of size performance, though I still kick around the idea of either an Airbook (though only 1 USB port gives me a bit of concern sometimes, but you can get refreshed Airs fairly inexpensively) and the new revision 13" MacBook Pros with FW added back in is also something I am considering. [used to carry a iBook G3, rugged and was fine, but did get long in the tooth eventudally]. I find myself working less on the photos/videos on a trip (other than to download and take a quick look) and more trying to enjoy the trip, figuring I can edit and the rest back home. So either of those models will have the horsepower I practically would need. But I have not made those jumps yet. If I get closer to a dive trip (unfortunately non on the near horizon) I may revisit the issue.

The netbooks are interesting (and hoping perhaps in the not too distant future there is a Mac one), and I been tempted, especially since I know people have gotten OS X on them, though I think it is a bit small for my needs (email, surfing, quick looks.) A buddy of mine has been traveling with one and thought it was a bit small for his use even for emails and he is shorter/smaller than I am.

As to the WDs, like any HD, smaller sizes are cheaper. The 500 Gig (with FW) is abut $179 at Best Buy 500 Gig USB $139, 320 USB $99. You probably can find better prices than that. I acutally have Seagates, OWCs and Lacies also. Have not had real issues other than an occassion port going bad a couple of times. The WDs are fairly thin, which I like. The Lacies Porsche Designs are thin, though they seem to get a bit warmer to me, though I never had a problem with them.

Bob,

 

I've been very happy with the LaCie portable hard drives. I bought one for my trip to Indonesia last fall and it performed flawlessly. It was lightweight which was good for travel. It also had a built in cord for the USB port which meant I didn't have to worry about losing a cord. Mine also had a firewire connection.

Ellen

Ellen,

Thank you. I have Lacie Desktops Externals, and actually have one Rugged, their first ... a 40 GB. I outgrew it before I could use it and I never opened it and waited too long to return it. DOH!

I assume, you use a laptop as well as the externals when you travel? Those NetBooks look so active at $400!

Again thanks