I was amazed just how quickly my latest laptop's 200 MB hard drive got filled up. I would like to buy a compact, USB-powered external hard drive of about the same capacity. Can anyone suggest a good make and shop (preferably Pantip Plaza) to purchase? Is there any advantage to being mains-powered; just thinking to save on weight? Thanks.

If you want USB power then you're limited to using a 2.5" (laptop drive), invariably more expensive. The 3.5" drives are cheaper but will require a mains power box as the drives need more juice than USB can provide.

Loads of external boxes of both sizes from 200 Baht up in Pantip (3.5" boxes tend to be more expensive), as long as you get one that is USB-2 HiSpeed then all are much of a muchness, but if you do go for a 3.5" check if it has a fan, these drives can cook in the high temperatures here (experience talking here), the 2.5" seem to run much cooler.

Get a suitable drive from a big name manufacturer, Seagate, etc. again all are really much the same in regards quality and price. Probably wise to get the drive and box from the same outlet then they can put it together and test for you

I know what you mean about drives filling, I've got 400G (2x200) in my laptop and 1.5T (1500G) at home still fills dashed quick if you're storing video.

Western Digital (WD) Brand are quite good, you can get the in the Fortune IT mall, very convenient for the MRT.

If you want USB power then you're limited to using a 2.5" (laptop drive), invariably more expensive. The 3.5" drives are cheaper but will require a mains power box as the drives need more juice than USB can provide.

Loads of external boxes of both sizes from 200 Baht up in Pantip (3.5" boxes tend to be more expensive), as long as you get one that is USB-2 HiSpeed then all are much of a muchness, but if you do go for a 3.5" check if it has a fan, these drives can cook in the high temperatures here (experience talking here), the 2.5" seem to run much cooler.

Get a suitable drive from a big name manufacturer, Seagate, etc. again all are really much the same in regards quality and price. Probably wise to get the drive and box from the same outlet then they can put it together and test for you

I know what you mean about drives filling, I've got 400G (2x200) in my laptop and 1.5T (1500G) at home still fills dashed quick if you're storing video.

Please explain what you mean by 'drive' and 'box'. I thought a USB-powered drive would be a single unit. How much am I looking at paying for a good 200GB USB storage in Thailand? Thanks again.

Please explain what you mean by 'drive' and 'box'. I thought a USB-powered drive would be a single unit. How much am I looking at paying for a good 200GB USB storage in Thailand? Thanks again.

Sorry for being unclear.

An 'external' drive is simply a regular hard disk drive in a box with some electronics to give you a USB connection. Although you can readily buy complete solutions all ready to go, it's invaribly cheaper to buy the box and drive as separate units.

2.5"

Box 200-500 Baht

200G drive 5-6000 Baht

3.5"

Box 900-1500 Baht

200G drive 3-4000 Baht

Shop around and you will get better prices on the drives.

I run a Maxtor 250GB in non fan external box without a problem but Maxtor used much less wattage than Seagate when I was checking and is why I bought it. Don't know what would be best now. The box is heavy aluminum so acts as a good heat sink and radiator.

I am sure the 2.5" would be much less heat producing as they can not waste power as are designed to run on battery when in laptop.

Normally aluminum USB 2.0 Hi-Speed cases cost 200 to 300 Baht.

I just bought a 3.5" case for 250 Baht, Panthip (we use this for 320GB 3.5" Seagate hard drives)

For hard drive prices http://www.jib.co.th they have several shops at Panthip and are one of the shops that keep there website up-to-date

By the way Maxtor is just a marketing name of Seagate Corp.

I run a Mapower case (triple interface) with a Seagate 400 gb Barracuda drive but i'm thinking of upgrading to a new Hitatchi one Terrabyte or throwing two 720's into a dual enclosure.

Normally aluminum USB 2.0 Hi-Speed cases cost 200 to 300 Baht.

I just bought a 3.5" case for 250 Baht, Panthip (we use this for 320GB 3.5" Seagate hard drives)

For hard drive prices http://www.jib.co.th they have several shops at Panthip and are one of the shops that keep there website up-to-date

By the way Maxtor is just a marketing name of Seagate Corp.