Right i've given up i'm buying a bigger hard drive for my laptop!

LeperousDust · 30-04-2009, 16:57

So after trying to reclaim space on my laptop it's actually only got worse, and its a day to day struggle now to find a few hundred Mb just to stop VIsta and subsequent app's going totally mental over the lack of space for temp files...

http://www.ebuyer.com/search?sort=pr...imit=50&page=1

Question is which one?

£72 Western Digital 500GB 2.5" Hard Drive SATAII 5400rpm 8MB Cache - OEM Scorpio Blue

OR

£67 Western Digital 320GB 2.5" Hard Drive SATAII 7200rpm 16MB Cache - OEM Scorpio Black

So basically more space or more speed? At present i'm running some 5.4k 160Gb samsung jobbie i think, and tbh the speed seems ok, and it obviously helps the battery life i guess. But i don't know what impact a faster drive would have on performance or battery life, more space is never a bad thing especially the rate i seem to chop through it... Advice?

Also once i retire this trusty little 160Gb beauty, what portable docks should i be looking at to place him in for backups and easy large file maneuvers? Preferably something that doesn't require external power (since its a laptop drive).

Burble · 30-04-2009, 17:05

I strongly believe you can never have enough storage, so I'd probably go for the 500Gb drive.

As far as enclosures go, I've got one of these (in my car) with the original 160Gb HD from my Macbook in. It does say that it can sometimes need additional power so the USB cable has a pair of A type connectors on to give it a bit more current. I'm only using one and it's fine.

Daz · 30-04-2009, 17:11

I have the same sort of thing as Burble but a generic branded, slightly uglier one. Work fine though, had it for ages

A fiver for 180GB of space seems better value than the extra revs. If they were the same capacity I'd say pay the extra for 7,200 though, and I always buy that new.

Burble · 30-04-2009, 17:14

And there was me thinking you'd have the pink version of the one I have, Daz!

Stan_Lite · 30-04-2009, 17:20

I've recently replaced the 160GB drive in my NC10 netbook with a 500GB Samsung Spinpoint (5400rpm). Perfectly happy with it now.

I'm with Burble, I prefer to have as much storage in the actual machine as I can, rather than carrying external storage around. I don't see much point buying an ultraportable and then having to carry around a separate drive for storage - kinda defeats the purpose.

I would go for the 500GB drive. I doubt that the 7200rpm and 16MB cache would give you enough of a speed boost to sacrifice the storage capacity.

I put the 160GB drive into the 2.5" caddy I previously had a 100GB drive in and I've never had to use the second lead yet - it works perfectly well just using the one USB lead. Edit: Mine's an Icy Box too but metal and squarer than the one Burble linked to (This one).

Will · 30-04-2009, 17:26

I'm one of the few that would actually go for the speed!

It's already doubling his capacity... but of course looking at the numbers it seems plain obvious to go for the bigger size for the money.

Knipples · 30-04-2009, 17:49

Oh my god I am so fed up with my laptop and the fact its five years old and soooooooooo slow now!
Its driving me nuts, I just wouldnt have a clue what to do with it.

LeperousDust · 30-04-2009, 18:08

Right size it is, thanks guys this is why i ask! I was edging towards size because i generally each space for lunch the way i go about things. I just didn't want to find out i was really losing out on speed.

Those ICY boxes look perfect as well. Wonderfully helpful as always!

Out of interest guys how easy is it to swap the drives in your external enclosures? Are yours screwless? Might make laptop recovery for my friends a little easier now and then...

Burble · 30-04-2009, 18:50

Mine is held together with 4 screws I think. I seem to remember it even came with a screwdriver in the box.

Stan_Lite · 30-04-2009, 19:04

Mine has four screws too. All you need is a size 1 phillips screwdriver - undo the screws, slot drive in, replace screws. Took me about two minutes when I did it a couple of weeks ago.

30-04-2009, 16:57	#1
LeperousDust Bananaman Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Liverpool/Edinburgh Posts: 4,817	Right i've given up i'm buying a bigger hard drive for my laptop! So after trying to reclaim space on my laptop it's actually only got worse, and its a day to day struggle now to find a few hundred Mb just to stop VIsta and subsequent app's going totally mental over the lack of space for temp files... http://www.ebuyer.com/search?sort=pr...imit=50&page=1 Question is which one? £72 Western Digital 500GB 2.5" Hard Drive SATAII 5400rpm 8MB Cache - OEM Scorpio Blue OR £67 Western Digital 320GB 2.5" Hard Drive SATAII 7200rpm 16MB Cache - OEM Scorpio Black So basically more space or more speed? At present i'm running some 5.4k 160Gb samsung jobbie i think, and tbh the speed seems ok, and it obviously helps the battery life i guess. But i don't know what impact a faster drive would have on performance or battery life, more space is never a bad thing especially the rate i seem to chop through it... Advice? Also once i retire this trusty little 160Gb beauty, what portable docks should i be looking at to place him in for backups and easy large file maneuvers? Preferably something that doesn't require external power (since its a laptop drive). __________________

30-04-2009, 17:11	#3
Daz The Stig Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Swad! Posts: 10,713	I have the same sort of thing as Burble but a generic branded, slightly uglier one. Work fine though, had it for ages A fiver for 180GB of space seems better value than the extra revs. If they were the same capacity I'd say pay the extra for 7,200 though, and I always buy that new. __________________ apt-get moo

30-04-2009, 17:20	#5
Stan_Lite Stan, Stan the FLASHER MAN! Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: In bed with your sister Posts: 5,483	I've recently replaced the 160GB drive in my NC10 netbook with a 500GB Samsung Spinpoint (5400rpm). Perfectly happy with it now. I'm with Burble, I prefer to have as much storage in the actual machine as I can, rather than carrying external storage around. I don't see much point buying an ultraportable and then having to carry around a separate drive for storage - kinda defeats the purpose. I would go for the 500GB drive. I doubt that the 7200rpm and 16MB cache would give you enough of a speed boost to sacrifice the storage capacity. I put the 160GB drive into the 2.5" caddy I previously had a 100GB drive in and I've never had to use the second lead yet - it works perfectly well just using the one USB lead. Edit: Mine's an Icy Box too but metal and squarer than the one Burble linked to (This one). __________________ Just because I have a short attention span doesn't mean I... Last edited by Stan_Lite; 30-04-2009 at 17:24.

30-04-2009, 17:26	#6
Will BBx woz 'ere :P Join Date: Jan 1970 Posts: 2,147,487,208	I'm one of the few that would actually go for the speed! It's already doubling his capacity... but of course looking at the numbers it seems plain obvious to go for the bigger size for the money. __________________ *No No!*

30-04-2009, 18:08	#8
LeperousDust Bananaman Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Liverpool/Edinburgh Posts: 4,817	Right size it is, thanks guys this is why i ask! I was edging towards size because i generally each space for lunch the way i go about things. I just didn't want to find out i was really losing out on speed. Those ICY boxes look perfect as well. Wonderfully helpful as always! Out of interest guys how easy is it to swap the drives in your external enclosures? Are yours screwless? Might make laptop recovery for my friends a little easier now and then... __________________ Last edited by LeperousDust; 30-04-2009 at 18:15.

30-04-2009, 17:05	#2
Burble Rocket Fuel Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 7,826	I strongly believe you can never have enough storage, so I'd probably go for the 500Gb drive. As far as enclosures go, I've got one of these (in my car) with the original 160Gb HD from my Macbook in. It does say that it can sometimes need additional power so the USB cable has a pair of A type connectors on to give it a bit more current. I'm only using one and it's fine.

30-04-2009, 17:14	#4
Burble Rocket Fuel Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 7,826	And there was me thinking you'd have the pink version of the one I have, Daz!

30-04-2009, 18:50	#9
Burble Rocket Fuel Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 7,826	Mine is held together with 4 screws I think. I seem to remember it even came with a screwdriver in the box.

30-04-2009, 19:04	#10
Stan_Lite Stan, Stan the FLASHER MAN! Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: In bed with your sister Posts: 5,483	Mine has four screws too. All you need is a size 1 phillips screwdriver - undo the screws, slot drive in, replace screws. Took me about two minutes when I did it a couple of weeks ago. __________________ Just because I have a short attention span doesn't mean I...

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode