Computers are unreliable. Information stored on a computer can be lost at any time. An external hard drive will prevent permanent file loss. External hard drives can be purchased for both desktop and laptop computers. Most of these drives are easy to install and use. Price-wise, external drives range from $100 to $200.
Transcend StoreJet 25 Mobile -- $70 - $92
The Transcend StoreJet is the toughest external hard drive on the market. This drive lives up to US military standards when it comes to durability. Wrapped in trip-layer silicone shell, secured internally, and wrapped in a rugged rubber casing, damaging this drive is hard to do. The StoreJet is also fast. Clocking in at 29MBPS while reading and 24MBPS while writing. Available in 120GB, 160GB, 250GB, and 500GB, the Transcend StoreJet is an optimal purchase.
Clickfree Portable Backup Drive -- $99 - $113
Clickfree is at the top when it comes to user-friendliness. This external hard drive is pre-loaded with the software required to operate the drive. Software inclusion alone makes the Clickfree Portable Backup Drive worth the money. But there are additional benefits to this drive as well. Another great feature of the Clickfree device is the option to create separate files. Multiple computer users can create different files, which makes storing individual data simple. Clickfree is available in an array of colors and sizes ranging from 120GB to 500GB. While not a drawback for most people, the Clickfree Portable Backup Device does not support older operating systems such as Windows ME or Windows 98.
SimpleTech (Re)Drive -- $99+
The SimpleTech (Re)Drive is as eco-friendly as external hard drives get. Packaged in a recycled box with only the bare essentials, fashioned from recycled aluminium, and covered in bamboo, this device deserves five stars based on environmental awareness alone. The SimpleTech (Re)Drive doesn’t include an on or off switch. Instead, the device switches on and off automatically according to how much power is being used.
The (Re)Drive is fairly large at 500GB, and the device’s transfer speed ranks amongst the best external hard drives on the market. For an eco-friendly hard drive that performs as well as it looks, the (Re)Drive is a solid investment.
Iomega eGo Portable Mac Edition -- $120+
Candy-colored and lightning fast, the Iomega eGo is impressive. The eGo comes in various sizes and colors including 500GB (Ruby Red), 320GB (Dark Blue), and 250GB (Alpine White). While pretty, these hard drives are also durable. The eGo can easily withstand 4 foot falls without damaging its shiny exterior or important interior. While the eGo was originally formatted to work with Mac, Windows users can reformat the drive without a lot of hassle. Speed-wise, the eGo is a demon. Clocking in at 64.33Mbps, it’s hard to beat the eGo’s swiftness. Mac users would be hard-pressed to find a better external hard drive than the Iomega eGo Portable Mac Edition.