External HD

llrickman · 01-17-2009, 04:54 PM

I was hoping to get some opinion on an external HD . I would really like one that is networked so it can be accessed wirelessly or remotely but it doesn't have to be.

Im look for at least 500gb maybe 1tb .

I have thought about the Time Capsule but i am planning on getting the at&t Uverse and i dont think it compatible as i have to use the router than att provides

What have you guys used and been happy with. What ones should i stay away from

Thanks

Larry

Eragon · 01-17-2009, 05:06 PM

I've been very happy with Western Digital. I have two 500GB models. Firewire and USB compatible. One of my drives serves as my Time Machine backup. The other serves as my media storage drive. Been very happy with the performance.

acosmichippo · 01-17-2009, 05:09 PM

The time capsule will work just fine with any other router. You just have to configure it accordingly, which is relatively easy with the software provided.

That being said, you should not have to used the router provided by ATT if you don't want to.

macgirl · 01-17-2009, 05:15 PM

I have a Western Digital My Book Essential hard drive (500GB). It's attached to my Airport Extreme base station and it works perfectly. It's my Time Machine back-up drive - my computer finds it when it needs to do a back-up and disconnects from it when it's done. Completely seamless back-ups - I love it!

I had thought about getting a Time Capsule, but I didn't want to be stuck with the hard drive that's built into it. This way, I can upgrade or swap out for a different one easily.

I have a LaCie external drive as well and started having some issues with it when I upgraded my last Mac to Leopard. I like LaCie drives but I don't know how well they're playing with Macs these days.

Youngbinks · 01-17-2009, 06:45 PM

I too have a Wester Digital 500 GB. The transfers seem super fast and I keep it plugged into my AirPort Extreme and sync everything on my iPod Classic and iPhone wirelessly using the HD. It's great especially since the MBA hard drive is pretty small.

llrickman · 01-17-2009, 07:11 PM

Originally Posted by acosmichippo

The time capsule will work just fine with any other router. You just have to configure it accordingly, which is relatively easy with the software provided.

That being said, you should not have to used the router provided by ATT if you don't want to.

You do because your Tv comes in through the same equipment

Ramesh · 01-18-2009, 05:22 PM

Originally Posted by llrickman

You do because your Tv comes in through the same equipment

That's fine - but Dcom has Uverse installed today and he now has 3 wireless networks in his house. You don't have to combine the networks - keep them separate.

I also have a WD - 640GB for my iMac, and 250GB for my MacBook. If you're going to use it for backup, make sure you format the drive for OS X and don't leave it as Fat 32.

llrickman · 01-19-2009, 10:58 PM

Do you have to format the whole drive for os x? will i be able to back up both my MacBook and my wifes HP to the same HD?

Another thing do windows based work well with an airport extreme? I need a new router my belkin is dropping constantly plus it several years old and id like to have an "n"

I have seen several on Ebay anyone think thats a bad idea?

about the Uverse im just going to what the Morons at at&t told me personally i think id rather have the airport extreme if possible

acosmichippo · 01-19-2009, 11:02 PM

Originally Posted by llrickman

Do you have to format the whole drive for os x?

no, you can create different "partitions" of the disk and format them all differently.

Originally Posted by llrickman

will i be able to back up both my MacBook and my wifes HP to the same HD?

Yes. You can either partition it like i mentioned above, OR if you end up sharing an HDD on your network via a Time Capsule or Airport Extreme, windows WILL be able to use an OSX-formatted drive for backups as well.

Originally Posted by llrickman

Another thing do windows based work well with an airport extreme? I need a new router my belkin is dropping constantly plus it several years old and id like to have an "n"

I have seen several on Ebay anyone think thats a bad idea?

about the Uverse im just going to what the Morons at at&t told me personally i think id rather have the airport extreme if possible

apple routers work just fine with windows machines.

llrickman · 01-21-2009, 07:21 PM

Well i picked up an AirPort Extreme base station today at circuit city. The had it at $113 + tax on their everything must go sale ( which for the most part is horrible) most things were raised to their MSRP then 10% off

Anyway that was the most painless setup ive ever done on any router .

I cant wait to get a HD to add to it now