Which (External) Hard Drive should I get?

[Triangle]

I would like to get a 1TB (or maybe 2TB?) external hard drive to store many movies, but given that I know very little about different HD manufacturers, I was wondering whether you could help me find what I am looking for: essentially, I'd like a HD that is relatively fast at transferring data, and quite cheap (student=very little cash available) but I don't mind how bulky it is. Thanks in advance,
Triangle.

 

[MindoverMaster]

No USB HDD will be at fast speeds. I has its limits. What might be better is E-SATA. Western Digital and Seagate are my top two.

 

[Triangle]

Care to elaborate further? E-SATA? As I said, I really am a complete n00b...

 

[Yami]

eSATA is another port, like USB. It's an external version of the SATA standard used by drives internally. It's much faster than USB 2.0

 

[MindoverMaster]

Yeah, sorry about that. Had to write that up quick before I had to leave.

For the E-SATA side, I would trust iomega or Lacie, IMO

 

[Triangle]

Do all computers have an E-SATA port? I have a pretty average laptop that I got a while ago (planning on changing soon, but kinda reliant on parents' money-as I said, student) so will that affect it in any way? Also, how much do they usually go for? Thanks for all the help so far!

 

[MindoverMaster]

You never mentioned a laptop. They do not come with ESATA. Your next bet would be IEEE 1394 (Firewire). Its transfer speed it greater than USB. As you even have that, I am not sure.

Newegg is your friend. (unless you live outside USA/Canada)
Newegg.com - External Hard Drive, USB Hard Drives, Portable Hard Drive, WD External Hard Drives, Seagate External Hard Drives, Hard Drive

 

[Triangle]

Hurray for living in England. ******mit. Well, now I have to change the question again: which USB HD would you recommend? Sorry for this... I thought I'd provided enough info; clearly I was wrong. Thanks very much for helping me up till now!

 

[MindoverMaster]

No problem, Triangle. All of us leave something obvious out.

Western Digital Elements 1TB External Hard Drive Hi.. | Ebuyer.com

Western Digital Elements 2TB External Hard Drive Hi.. | Ebuyer.com

 

[Triangle]

Thanks very much for all your help, I'll definitely be getting the 2TB drive either as soon as I have the money or as soon as I find a legit excuse to give my parents as for why I'd actually NEED one of these things Thanks again, Triangle.