Portable External Hard Drive Reviews

External hard drives are used by almost all computer users for the purpose of additional data storage, and specifically substantial data sharing. These drives either take power from the computer system, or may even require a separate power supply. If you happen to take a look in the nearest computer shops, you will be amazed to see the variety of such drives available for sale. The models range from a memory capacity of 500 GB to a whopping 12 TB. Buying the most appropriate model can be easy if you consider some important points and refer to a few reviews.

Iomega UltraMax Plus
The Iomega UltraMax Plus is a hard drive that is suitable for computer users who want to store huge amounts of data. It offers connection options like eSATA 3Gbits/s, USB, FireWire 400 and FireWire 800. This model is available in 1 and 2 TB capacities. You can transfer data very quickly with up to a speed of 3000Mbits/sec. The 2 GB model is available for around $240.

HP Portable USB 3.0 1TB
Many users find HP drives more reliable and durable than any other brand. The HP portable hard drive comes with a memory capacity of 1 TB, good USB 3.0 data transfer speeds, and is quite easy to use. It also has the 'HP SimpleSave' application which lets you transfer data conveniently. It is available for around $170 on the manufacturer's website.

Western Digital My Passport Elite
This Western Digital external hard drive sports a sleek look and includes a docking station in the pack. It has a backup and synchronization software and MioNet Key application for remote data access. Other functions include drive security and illuminated capacity gauge. The writing and reading speeds of big files are 26.9MB/s and 29.9MB/s respectively. You may have to pay about $120 for the My Passport Elite 500 GB.

Seagate FreeAgent GoFlex
Seagate is also known for manufacturing the best external hard drives. It has FreeAgent GoFlex ultra-portable hard drives which are available in data storage capacities of 320, 500, and 750 GB and 1 TB and 1.5 TB. This product does automatic backups for data security, and also comes with a powerful encryption application. The price quoted by the manufacturer is approximately $150.

Toshiba Canvio 1 TB
If you want an easy to operate, small, and sufficient-memory drive; the Toshiba Canvio 1 TB is the best bet. Even with a memory capacity of 1 TB, it weighs just 6.3 ounces and is very small. It works with the 'NTI BackupNow EZ' backup software which helps the user retrieve deleted files. The company has a 3-year warranty on the product. You can get this portable 1 TB external hard disk for about $140.

LaCie Rugged Hard Disk
This LaCie hard disk has a rugged look and feel and is also shock resistant up to 2.2 m. With an exterior of aluminum and rubber, it becomes one with good durability. You can transfer data rapidly up to 800Mbits/s with FireWire 800. Like the Toshiba hard drive, this one also has a 3-year warranty. The manufacturer is offering this 500 GB rugged hard drive at around $130. Other options are also available such as 750 GB for $160 and 1 TB for $200.

In order to find out the exact prices and more specifications, it is suggested to visit the company store or the manufacturer's website. Before purchasing a portable external hard drive, simply think about how much data you are going to store, which will narrow your choices.