160GB USB HD $29 after rebates
 

Hell of a deal if you need a drive for backup, or extra storage.

http://www.compusa.com/products/prod...ct_code=339113

there were a bunch left in Reno earlier. you can call and ask, and aparently they will hold it for you...

That's tempting. How long do the rebates usually take Dean?

USB? [whineyvoice]But I want my data now[/whineyvoice]

I'd pay 10 times that much if it was a portable laptop sized drive powered by USB alone.

Form says 10-12 rebates, but these are eRebates, and thiose have been coming pretty sone after the return period expires. Nothing to mail, or cut out.

$118 out the door, $80 rebates. The rest is tax.

USB 2.0 is fine for backups, and spare storage.

I am reccomending people get USB drives and do backups and trade back and forth with a friend or family member so their backups are "off-site".

I know one guy that has 2 or 3 USB drives, and takes them back and forth to work so there is always one or two "off-site".

Groovy. I'll swing by on my way home to see if any are left.

That's basically what this will be for me. Backup for my current 110G external and 30 or so on my laptop.

Call and have them "hold" one for you. They had a shelf full of them that they were doing that for.

Son of a... I forgot to stop by on the way home from work and grab one. If anybody else is going, get 2 and I will fork over the $118 next time you see me. Provided I get a receipt for the rebate. ;)

Get back in you damn Miata, and go get one. If they are out, tell them you called earlier and whoever you talked to said they would put one on "hold" under the front counter for you.

No. It's hot, and I don't feel like actually making extra effort to acquire a hard drive I don't really need, good deal or not. :p

it's just a hard drive.
life goes on.

USB 2.0 is pretty fast, if somewhat annoying to use on multiple systems if you like to map the same letters.....

Personally, I'm sold on 2.5" lappy drives for portable storage. The trick for USB-only power is to purchase a slow-rpm drive and put it in a case yourself.....I've got one that I use for my National Geographic TOPO! software --- every USGS 7.5' quadrangle map for AK, OR, ID, WY, CA, NV, UT, CO, AZ, and NM is on it. Truly a cartographic marvel.

I grabbed an 80GB laptop USB2.0 drive for my trip to Montreal. Small, light, robust... it pretty much kicks ass, but since I don't think it ever spins down, it really seems to *destroy* my battery life. :eek: Too bad the 120GB drives were sold out everywhere, or I would have sprung for the larger drive... that's what I get for shopping last minute before my trip.

Newegg's got a couple 160's at 5400rpm for ~$210 --- add ~$20 for a good enclosure, and you're set.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16822148073

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817145658

That's the enclosure I use. I think I had to shim the drive a little if I remember right, but I've had zero issues with the chipset and interface hardware (usually what kills an otherwise good case).

If you get spooked about using only one USB cable for power on a 5400rpm drive, it provides the ability to use a second USB port for power only.