XHD - Powered vs USB?

Kate61 · Post by **Kate61** » Wed Jan 27, 2010 10:32 pm

I need to buy an External Hard Drive and am dickering over whether to go for one that is independently powered or one that is powered via the USB.

Does anyone have experience of the differences and can advise me on the best to go for please

Many thanks in anticipation!

K

dave.m · Post by **dave.m** » Wed Jan 27, 2010 11:02 pm

Will it be mainly for backups?
One thing to consider is what sort of computer (desktop or laptop) it will be used with mostly.
If a laptop then the USB ports are rather limited on power output, especially if you have some other USB hardware plugged in at the same time., and also if you have a lot of programs running.
A desktop would have a better chance of supplying uninterupted or reduced power.

The power transformers for external HDs are now not very big if you did need the HD to be portable, to the extent of taking it to work etc.

As I said, if it is for backups then it is only about once a week or so that you would use it, but if you are wanting to transfer data every day then certainly get a powered one. You cannot be sure of the USB power supply of any other computer that you may have to plug it into.

My own experiences are only with powered HDs and I don't think I would want a USB powered one.

See what others recommend but that is my opinion.

dave

ps, almost missed it but you have only joined today:

thescruff · Post by **thescruff** » Wed Jan 27, 2010 11:09 pm

I have a small Firelite smart d*ck which worked very well on the usb until it got to around 20gb of data then it didn't want to know until I plugged in the power.

The 500gb just wouldn't work without from the start.

Post by **ultimatehandyman** » Wed Jan 27, 2010 11:53 pm

I'd get the USB powered one, as the mains leads are a pain to plug in and store/carry etc.

chat_to_rich · Post by **chat_to_rich** » Thu Jan 28, 2010 9:03 am

I've found that the smaller USB drives that use 2.5" mobile hard disks work fine with USB power. The ones I've used have had two USB plugs, which both have to be plugged in at the same time in order to get enough power to the disk. I've used a 300GB version in this way and was able to transfer files over 40GB in size without any issues.

Kate61 · Post by **Kate61** » Thu Jan 28, 2010 8:32 pm

Thanks everyone - I'm looking to get a 500g - 1tb XHD for my laptop, initially to do a full backup so that I can send the darn computer in for repair, but otherwise for regular backups and to save the many many graphics files I have clogging up my hard drive.

From what you've said it sounds like I need to have a powered one, so it looks like I'm off shopping soon. Oh its a hard life!!!!

K