Can someone tell me the difference between a "portable external" hard drive and just an "external" hard drive? They both look portable to me being that they are external. I assume that a regular external (something like a "WD MyBook") is not as rugged and therefore not suited for travel? Or is it something as simple as the "portable" ones are powered by USB where the others have an AC adapter.
I know the "Portable" ones cost a lot more. Has anyone a used a regular external, like a MyBook, for portable uses? If I am careful and not banging it around is it OK to use for portability? I'd like to hear from someone with experience on this one.
Thanks!
2006-12-13 02:20:55 · 7 answers · asked by Shuggaloaf 2 in Computers & Internet ➔ Hardware ➔ Other - Hardware
OK let me add some more information to help with the answers.
1.) I am using this for music and photo storage. I am a photographer so I have a LOT of photos. Also I have a LOT of music. Therefore I am going to need 150+GB so a flash unit is out.
2.) I will never be moving this unit while the power is on. It will only be moved when it is turned off and disconnected and in the same bad as my laptop which I am genreally very careful with.
Hope this helps to clarify...
2006-12-13 02:59:40 · update #1
a portable external one most likely runs off of the computer it is connected to and a plain external uses power from a wall socket.
some portables even have their own power cells like a laptop or other device does.
any hard drive can be converted for external portable use and can withstand a lot of shock. there is no difference in the hardware but in the electronic setup(circuitry) there is
2006-12-13 02:27:53 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I asked a salesman at a national electronics chain your question. He said that the portable drives were simply laptop hard drives in a USB Case and external drives were desktop hard drives in a USB case. I bought an external hard drive simply because you get more storage for the price. Yes, it does use an AC adapter. The one disappointing thing for the one I bought is that it says to plug the USB cable in the back of the desktop machine since plugging the USB into a front USB port could cause the drive to malfunction. I don't know if all the externals say that, but this is not a knock-off company -- this is from a reputable hard drive manufacturer.
Another note: Most portables are 5400 rpm whereas the external drives are mostly 7200 rpm
2006-12-14 15:09:39 · answer #2 · answered by b_t_owen 1 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Interesting question.
I believe the main difference would be form factor and not how rugged it happens to be.
The portable external drive are either 2.5" or 3.5" hard drive in a case that is designed to be compact. While they can be connected to a desktop they are geared toward a notebook or tablet computer. Usually only have a USB connection. They also use the slow 2.5" hard drive since they are smaller and lighter.
The external drive is either a 3.5" or 5.25" drive case of either 1 to 8 drive bays. I have several for my LAN. One has 8-5.25" CD drive and one has 6-3.5" SCSI drives. The one I use as a portable drive has a USB and Ethernet port. I connect it to my LAN via my router, and to my notebook with the USB 2.0 connection. It has a 250Gb EIDE drive, and a single bay cabinet.
ADDITIONAL
I would purchase a drive cabinet and add my own drive if I were you. Also if you have a router I would network it threw my LAN so when you disconnect you notebook you have few thing to unplug hence few things to wear out.
2006-12-13 02:59:57 · answer #3 · answered by acklan 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think the regular Hard Drives aren't meant for portability because they are big and they aren't suitable for travel. And the "portable Hard Drives" are made to with stand the moving and shaking. Hard Drive vs Flash Drive...
Just like some MP3 players are good for use while walking or jogging and some aren't good for that because it can cause skipping and breakage. To be safe you should use a portable. You can get them cheap. My husband and I just bought three 1GB. on sale for 19.99 each. and the same ones are on sale all the time, though less frequently, for 12.99 also. Something to consider.
2006-12-13 02:33:35 · answer #4 · answered by CareBear 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Most of the 2.5" external hard drives are meant to be highly portable without taking up much space. The hard drive inside is actually a drive designed for use in laptops. In most cases the maximum storage capacity for 2.5" drives is 200GB. Most of the external dimension of the portable versions are about 3"x6" at approximately 1/2" thick. 3.5" drives are the type commonly used in desktop computers. They come with a variety of options, depending on which type of form factor you choose. One key advantage of 3.5" drives is storage capacity. There are currently external drives in the 3.5" size with storage capacity of 1TB, or 5 times the largest 2.5" drive. External dimensions tend to be bigger, usually around 5"x8" and about 1-1/2" thick.
2016-03-29 05:41:56 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Portable Hard Drive will have 2 USB ports one for data and one for power and no power cord that goings into a wall outlet. And External Hard Drive will have one USB port and one power connection to the wall outlet (AC adapter).
2006-12-13 02:31:03 · answer #6 · answered by Tech19 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't recommend traveling with a non-portable hardrive. But if you travel with a non-portable one i think it will be ok. If it's USB powered don't travel with it turned on it will corrupt the harddrive. The portable one you don't have to be as careful with it's made to move. Wether it's turned on or off.
2006-12-13 02:30:55 · answer #7 · answered by younghumanbookofknowledge 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋