I am looking for a new external hard drive for multi track recording and general data back up from my laptop (Windows 7). I want a drive with min 7200rpm spindle speed and USB 3  and USB 2 (backward compatible) connection (Firewire connection would be an added bonus). I would also like to have some sort of back up software on the drive so that it would automatically back up my other non recording data. I also have an older desktop (windows XP) that I would like to use the drive on. This has USB 2 and firewire connectivity.

Problem is I cannot find a reputible drive (manufacturer) that meets these requirements. Can anyone provide me with recommendation before I make a purchase?

I suggest you use one external hard drive for recording and nothing else.
This will guarantee the best throughput and you can reformat the drive often to keep it that way.

Then use a second drive for your backups.

Why not consider buying a standard hard drive and put it in an enclosure like this http://www.walmart.com/ip...closure-Black/15863097

Hi Shane, a couple of things.  I use a laptop for my work and I use two external hard drives.  I use an Esata hub (that looks a bit like this if you don't know what a hub is http://compare.ebay.com.au/like/111005776662?ltyp=AllFixedPriceItemTypes) for my main recording drive, this is because the Esata write speed is quicker than USB 3, although the read speed of USB 3 is faster.  I like the hub because the drive is out in the open, so heat is not a factor and I like the seperate power supply.  You should be able to pick up a hub at your local computer shop for 50 bucks.  I use two Samsung hardrives and I haven't had any problems with them and one has been running for almost 3 years.

Ben

That black dock with the little ejector button is sourced from some OEM and sold under several brands... I have two: one is a older Themaltake BlacX with eSATA + USB2, and a newer "Voyager Q" from NewerTech which has eSATA + FW400 + FW800 + USB3. The NewerTech is specifically sold for macs, for some reason, not sure why... I use it with both windows and mac. The dock is handy for swapping drives as needed, and as Ben mentioned eliminating heat...

http://eshop.macsales.com...oyager/Hard_Drive_Dock

scook


Why not consider buying a standard hard drive and put it in an enclosure like this

+1 to the advice to buy your own bare drive. 


That way you will know what the drive inside is. The biggest market for external drives is for backup, where speed is not critical. Some of the pre-built external drives use "green" drives or even integrate a power saving feature into the controller that slows or stops the drive periodically, and it is often difficult to find out what is in the case by reading the specs.

Check out the Glyph externals. They come in FireWire, USB and eSata. 

sharke


Check out the Glyph externals. They come in FireWire, USB and eSata. 

The glyph drives are famously fast and notoriously expensive.

What about a USB 3 external SSD drive?

Hitachi Touro.