External HardDrive??? Mfg and size???

[Yankee fan]

I just got a new system --- 3.4 ghz Dell with 250 GB HD. I want to get an external harddrive to use as a "backup" and storage. I have looked at the Maxtor 1 touch, Western Digital and Seagate.

Is there a "better one", and what size would I need as a "backup for a 250 GB drive? There is a pretty good buy out there on a 160 GB Seagate (http://www.circuitcity.com/rpsm/oid/118285/rpem/ccd/productDetailAccessory.do#tabs). Do I need at least the same size as I have, or is this size OK for my purposes.

Thanks in advance for any advise....

[bailey]

if that is the only pourpose of the drive is to back up your system drive, you do not need the expense of a external drive.
just add a second drive to you system, and clone the second drive from the first drive, then unhook it, it will always be there till you need it, then just swap drives and your done.

[chronix]

If you want it as a complete backup / clone either do as bailey says or there are some external enclosures that are pretty complex and will backup only new files (in a specific place)whenever you press a certain button

if you just want it for more hard drive space...you do not need it...250GB should be more than enough to live on for a long long time...unless you are dealing with a lot of digital high quality video

[Amazin Caucasian]

Don't mean to speak for Yankee fan, but I assume that he wants a external one so he doesn't have to install one. The space you need depends on how much data you want to back up and/or store. If you are using it for just backup take a look at the space used and give it some leeway for future data that you would like to back up.

[not important]

I use an internal drive in an external enclosure for backup and extra storage. Much more economical way to go. Newegg has the external enclosures starting at about $30.

[Yankee fan]

Great Information! Thanks...

What about these models with "1 button backup" features and "back up" software, etc. Are they really any better than those that do not have these features?

[glc]

The one button backup feature usually uses Dantz Retrospect software (at least the Maxtor and WD drives I've seen do), which is actually quite good. That's not the only way to do it, there's all kinds of software available to do backups. If the drive comes with software (all the 1 button ones do), that's a value added plus.

I use Apricorn external housings and put my own IDE drives in them. They come with a rebranded and customized version of Acronis True Image, which is an excellent imaging package. Apricorn also sells them with preinstalled drives.