External Hard Drive.

[Richb2004v2]

I'm looking to buy a new external hard drive and wonder what are the differences or advantages to either a USB powered drive or a separately powered one. I know that there is a slight price difference but other than that is there anything else?

[schmutzie]

Usually the USB/FW powered ones are smaller mobile drives. So it just depends on what you're after in terms of mobility and storage space.

Have a look at the LaCie site to get an idea of the products and how they differ.

[Gigabyte]

One advantage of the USB powered ones is that if you are travelling with your laptop and use the battery power, or if you suffer frequent power outages, you still can use the external drive. I have both actually, depending on my needs. I prefer the mobility of the USB powered one if I go travel somewhere on the beach, and I feel more confident and also happy not to suck resources out of my laptop when I use the externally powered one when I'm at home (electricity is very stable where I live).