Why the difference in price????

[sunnybono]

I found these 2 external HD's with similar features, but why the big difference in price:

1: Fantom Drives Titanium USB 2.0 Hard Drives offer the most affordable storage solution for USB enabled PCs and Macs. These drives provide transfer rates of up to 60MB/sec on USB 2.0 and are fully backwards compatible with USB 1.1. The Titanium USB 2.0 Hard Drive family feature sturdy aluminum casing to provide maximum durability, fanless design for silent operation, and could be mounted horizontally or stand vertically to allow maximum deskspace. From increasing storage space to providing a safe and flexible data backup solution, Fantom Drives Titanium USB 2.0 Hard Drives are ideal for home and business users alike. Model #TFDU25072

PRICE: $119.99 at TD

2: Zdata Diamond Digital 250GB External Hard Drive is the convenient solution when you have a large amount of data, music or video files to transport. You can also back up your desktop or notebook with this reliable hard drive. Model#ZDHDW2250G

PRICE: $269.99 at BB

3: Price Beyond Belief!
Beyond Micro Mobile Disk.
You'll soon discover that nothing's beyond the ability of Beyond Micro to create high performance data storage solutions at an affordable price. Proof positive is this Beyond Micro USB 2.0 Mobile Disk. This intensely compact, durable disk supports PIO modes 0, 3, 4 and UDMA modes 2. It works with both PC and Mac. Features an innovative stackable, space-saving design. And works with plug and play simplicity. The Beyond Micro Mobile Disk complies with T13's ATA/ATAPI-6 Draft Specification, supports Wakeup ability........and boasts an external 30-watt power supply adapter. For performance beyond the extraordinary.......in a compact size that's so perfectly adapted to your digital lifestyle.....that its Beyond Micro...... choose the Beyond Micro Mobile Disk. Save big dollars by selecting the beyond micro data storage solution. MODEL #BM250MD3U28M

PRICE: $ 79.97 (after Rebate) at TD

I'm not computer savvy, but I'm just looking for an external HD and don't know what to look for or what to stay away from.

Any help or advice is greatly appreciated!!!!

sk:|

[Oversized Rooster]

Probably the expensive one has a one-touch back-up feature. Other differences can be the internal HD itself.

The cheap ones might use crappy Maxtor drives. SATA solutions will cost a little more.

And finally, availability can play a role in pricing going back to a simple economics model.

[danielmak]

I found these 2 external HD's with similar features, but why the big difference in price:

1: Fantom Drives Titanium USB 2.0 Hard Drives offer the most affordable storage solution for USB enabled PCs and Macs. These drives provide transfer rates of up to 60MB/sec on USB 2.0 and are fully backwards compatible with USB 1.1. The Titanium USB 2.0 Hard Drive family feature sturdy aluminum casing to provide maximum durability, fanless design for silent operation, and could be mounted horizontally or stand vertically to allow maximum deskspace. From increasing storage space to providing a safe and flexible data backup solution, Fantom Drives Titanium USB 2.0 Hard Drives are ideal for home and business users alike. Model #TFDU25072

PRICE: $119.99 at TD

2: Zdata Diamond Digital 250GB External Hard Drive is the convenient solution when you have a large amount of data, music or video files to transport. You can also back up your desktop or notebook with this reliable hard drive. Model#ZDHDW2250G

PRICE: $269.99 at BB

3: Price Beyond Belief!
Beyond Micro Mobile Disk.
You'll soon discover that nothing's beyond the ability of Beyond Micro to create high performance data storage solutions at an affordable price. Proof positive is this Beyond Micro USB 2.0 Mobile Disk. This intensely compact, durable disk supports PIO modes 0, 3, 4 and UDMA modes 2. It works with both PC and Mac. Features an innovative stackable, space-saving design. And works with plug and play simplicity. The Beyond Micro Mobile Disk complies with T13's ATA/ATAPI-6 Draft Specification, supports Wakeup ability........and boasts an external 30-watt power supply adapter. For performance beyond the extraordinary.......in a compact size that's so perfectly adapted to your digital lifestyle.....that its Beyond Micro...... choose the Beyond Micro Mobile Disk. Save big dollars by selecting the beyond micro data storage solution. MODEL #BM250MD3U28M

PRICE: $ 79.97 (after Rebate) at TD

I'm not computer savvy, but I'm just looking for an external HD and don't know what to look for or what to stay away from.

Any help or advice is greatly appreciated!!!!

sk:|

the EZ way is buy a ide hdd w/ hdd encloser...

[Amourek]

The difference is marketing.

You're better off buying an OEM hard drive and enclosure and putting it together yourself. The hard drive will have a longer warranty, between 3-5 years depending on what model you buy, while an external hard drive usually only has 1 year.

[Paolo]

I recommend the one advertized from TD. Tech Data is a much more reliable company to deal with than best buy/future shop co.

[smilodon]

Hmm... I'm thinking TD means Tiger Direct, and not Tech Data. Tech Data is a computer wholesaler/distributor, not a reseller. Most people would not have access to buying from Tech Data.

[sunnybono]

Hmm... I'm thinking TD means Tiger Direct, and not Tech Data. Tech Data is a computer wholesaler/distributor, not a reseller. Most people would not have access to buying from Tech Data.

Yes TD is Tiger Direct. There are so many to chose from, just don't know where to start or which one is safe???

sk

[Oversized Rooster]

Yes TD is Tiger Direct. There are so many to chose from, just don't know where to start or which one is safe???

sk

If you want safe, buy an OEM Western Digital or Seagate drive, and then an enclosure that will support it. The enclosure will have very little impact on the chance of something going wrong, but nonetheless don't get a $15 enclosure. Go for an enclosure that's $30 and above.

The warranty period on the enclosure will be 1 year no matter what you buy, and that's irrelevant. What is, however, is that you'll have 3-5 years of warranty on the HD, as another poster mentioned earlier.

Seriously, these "pre-made" "external HDs" are garbage when compared to the perfectly customized solution you can make yourself for the same money with more warranty.

[sunnybono]

If you want safe, buy an OEM Western Digital or Seagate drive, and then an enclosure that will support it. The enclosure will have very little impact on the chance of something going wrong, but nonetheless don't get a $15 enclosure. Go for an enclosure that's $30 and above.

The warranty period on the enclosure will be 1 year no matter what you buy, and that's irrelevant. What is, however, is that you'll have 3-5 years of warranty on the HD, as another poster mentioned earlier.

Seriously, these "pre-made" "external HDs" are garbage when compared to the perfectly customized solution you can make yourself for the same money with more warranty.

After comparing prices between the home made external HD's and the pre-made one, it looks like I'm going to go the home made route. The only problem is that how do you put it all together. If someone here can guide me that would be fantastic. I'm always willing to learn!!!!

sk

[goofball]

After comparing prices between the home made external HD's and the pre-made one, it looks like I'm going to go the home made route. The only problem is that how do you put it all together. If someone here can guide me that would be fantastic. I'm always willing to learn!!!!

sk

read the instructions that come with it.
it's painfully easy
the only thing you need to pay attention to is that you buy the proper hard drive interface type for the enclosure, or vice versa.
Most enclosures tend to be PATA but don't assume that.

[smilodon]

Not exactly sure what are the specs you are looking for from a USB drive, but I was selling the Western Digital 120Gb Passport Portable drive some time ago (http://www.redflagdeals.com/forums/showthread.php?t=364527).

I can still get one if you want. The price has really gone down on these things and can get you a BNIB one for $90. That's about $40 cheaper than retail after taxes.

Of course, there'd be shipping for about $10 to Toronto. PM me if interested.

All in all, it'd save you a lot of trouble getting all the different hardware and putting it together.

[sunnybono]

Not exactly sure what are the specs you are looking for from a USB drive, but I was selling the Western Digital 120Gb Passport Portable drive some time ago (http://www.redflagdeals.com/forums/showthread.php?t=364527).

I can still get one if you want. The price has really gone down on these things and can get you a BNIB one for $90. That's about $40 cheaper than retail after taxes.

Of course, there'd be shipping for about $10 to Toronto. PM me if interested.

All in all, it'd save you a lot of trouble getting all the different hardware and putting it together.

I was seriously considering a 320GB unit.

sk

[smilodon]

Hmm... in that range, I could get you a Maxtor One Touch 300Gb for $130, but once you add shipping of this big, heavy box, you're probably better off getting it from Costco at $150 if I'm not mistaken.