Laptop Storage Solution

anthonylei · Post by **anthonylei** » 12 Jan 2009, 01:02

Guys

I am about to switch from desktop to laptop and my main problem is storage.

currently have one 250GB, 750GB and two 500GB hard drives and still not having enough space, planning to ditch the 250 GB drive and get an 1TB drive.

Now the problem is to get a suitable (or 4 independent) enclosure. Any suggestion?

I dont really need any network function, all I care is the transfer speed between the drives so I would like to stick with esata connection. My laptop has two esata ports (via express card)

many thanks

skeeder · Post by **skeeder** » 12 Jan 2009, 05:28

I'd look at a NAS system, network hard drive enclosures would make it easier for you. Not to mention the freedom of wirelessness.

anthonylei · Post by **anthonylei** » 12 Jan 2009, 05:34

.... but 4 bays NAS cost like an arm

probability cheaper to build a basic desktop

DaFox · Post by **DaFox** » 12 Jan 2009, 06:04

I love the drobo.

http://www.drobo.com/

YouTube · Post by **ViciousXUSMC** » 12 Jan 2009, 06:11

Well, dont know if you have a certain laptop in mind already. but if you do not and storage is an issue. Several Asus models have dual hard drives.

I have the G50V-A1 its a good machine and it came stock with dual 250gb drives.

Its a very fast & easy upgrade to drop 2x 500gb drives in there (Recommend Western Digital Blue) and you have 1TB right inside your laptop no hassles, cords, ect ect.

From there some kind of file server or external hdd enclosure (cheapest method get like 4 of them) or NAS could give you more space and use the old drivers.

The sever can be junk and work for you. Get a used computer off ebay or craiglist or something for like $100-200 and just make sure the mobo can take your drives (or get a pci card to do so) from there you can transfer the data via network, data cable, or if you need just small pieces use a flash drive or something to grab what you need.

anthonylei · Post by **anthonylei** » 12 Jan 2009, 06:58

I already bought a Dell m1330 for a very decent price. It came with around 250GB which is no where near enough (probability fits my music collection)

I need around 3TB :shock: , probability 4 TB in a year time

I came across some 4 bays HD enclosure with four sata ports, the problem is the laptop (with expresscard) only has two sata ports. How can get I get all four sata ports connected to the laptop?

Would a Sata splinter works?

----------------

I had a thought, would it be cheaper to build my own hard drive case? and I would certainly enjoy the fun of building something unique

or may be it is better just to build another desktop (may be a HTPC for the living room) and connect it via a Giga switch

Post by **MobsterOO7** » 12 Jan 2009, 07:05

I need around 3TB :shock: , probability 4 TB in a year time

Is it only me that is thinking that this is getting into the NAS territory a little bit? I mean, once you go past the 3 TB mark you really outta be looking at an NAS.[/code]

YouTube · Post by **ViciousXUSMC** » 12 Jan 2009, 07:41

[quote]I already bought a Dell m1330 for a very decent price. It came with around 250GB which is no where near enough (probability fits my music collection)

I need around 3TB :shock: , probability 4 TB in a year time

I came across some 4 bays HD enclosure with four sata ports, the problem is the laptop (with expresscard) only has two sata ports. How can get I get all four sata ports connected to the laptop?

Would a Sata splinter works?

I do not think you can split sata atleast not safely.

You would just have to swap the connections as needed. Also keep in mind SATA is what is inside your computer, the connections your talking about are E-SATA, I would make sure you use the right term as they are different.

E=External

As for the HTPC, I just built one works great, I have a 1TB drive in it and there is room for one more.

I use the wireless G network for it so tranfer of files is slow, over a 1gb wired network it will be faster but maybe not as fast as you expect. However you can use other means to transfer large amounts of files to it first (connect the hdd directly to another computer before installing it, or use a different external drive)

Once the files are on the HTPC the network is plenty fast enough to stream the files to other computers to view them if needed or copy a file here and there.

skeeder · Post by **skeeder** » 12 Jan 2009, 19:12

I guess you should build a server or something...Massive amounts of storage unless its porn means you don't want to lose it. 3TB going down would make me a sad panda.

I'd look at either NAS system with built in RAID or that Drobo? it looked interesting...but pricey still. OR build a desktop with some RAID setup...even if its RAID 0 + 1 for a few TB's.

Thats my two senses. But anyone wanting 3+ TB of information storage and full access on a laptop with wires you might as well build a desktop because your not going to be portable anyway.

anthonylei · Post by **anthonylei** » 12 Jan 2009, 22:30

I did a bit more reading on the net and it is possible to split sata connection but it would required a port multiplier which cost about $100 and the express card has to support port multiplier as well

I think i will ended up buying a single sata case with hot swap function.... and build a HTPC / server in the end.

I did consider raid 0 but 3TB is a lot of data and it cost quite a lot to back up those data. Unless the price of 1TB drive drops, I will just back up some of the important data.

packerfan · Post by **packerfan** » 12 Jan 2009, 23:58

You could also go for a bunch of FW400 or 800 enclosures daisy chained but those cost more than basic esata controllers with a splitter card.
Depending on the speed you require, if FW400 would be adequate, those cases are about 10-15 bucks more than a comparable esata one where as the FW800 ones cost an arm and a leg.

Wiz33 · Post by **Wiz33** » 13 Jan 2009, 02:08

I did a bit more reading on the net and it is possible to split sata connection but it would required a port multiplier which cost about $100 and the express card has to support port multiplier as well

I think i will ended up buying a single sata case with hot swap function.... and build a HTPC / server in the end.

I did consider raid 0 but 3TB is a lot of data and it cost quite a lot to back up those data. Unless the price of 1TB drive drops, I will just back up some of the important data.

I would recommend one of this:

http://www.geeks.com/details.asp?invtid=EN391-S2HC&cat=RDM

I just swap in a new HD when the old one is full.

Post by **Abram** » 13 Jan 2009, 02:41

Card reader/usb hub/how swap/esata ?

I think i'll ahve to grab one of those.

YouTube · Post by **ViciousXUSMC** » 13 Jan 2009, 06:53

I am getting one now! Thats cool.

I dont know how much I like the idea of leaving HDD's out in the open good way to damage them, but I needed a card reader for my CF card in my camera as the USB transfer is slow and just waisting my x266 card I bought.

But this will come in handy one day when doing computer work I just know it.

Im a good deal hunter so I found this code: EDEALINFO

10% off any order there except special marked items. Cut like 3$ off the cost so that helps to cover the $10 shipping.

I'll have to do a user review of this thing when it gets herein 4-6 days lol.

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