External HD for Laptop(s)

I need backup for my two laptops that have USB1.1 - One runs WIN98SE,
the other WINME. Would also like to be able to use it on my desktop
that has USB2.
Would buying an enclosure and a HD separately be cheaper that the
packed ones. 80GB is probably big enough - we don't (yet) - do Kazaa?
Is choice of the HD important?

In article ,
says...
I need backup for my two laptops that have USB1.1 - One runs WIN98SE,
the other WINME. Would also like to be able to use it on my desktop
that has USB2.
Would buying an enclosure and a HD separately be cheaper that the
packed ones. 80GB is probably big enough - we don't (yet) - do Kazaa?
Is choice of the HD important?


DIY is going to be cheaper then buying a pre-packaged
drive+enclosure. Enclosures are around $20-$40... so
just tag that onto the cost of a drive.

My personal preference is to only use 5400rpm drives in
external enclosures. They run cooler then 7200rpm
drives (for the most part), and external enclosures
usually don't have good cooling.

If you buy a drive larger then 127GB, make sure you also
buy an enclosure that supports large drives.

If your laptops have firewire in addition to the
old/slow USB1, go with a dual firewire/USB enclosure (or
just go 100% firewire). Or perhaps hang the USB drive
off of the machine with the USB2 ports, network
everything and just access the drive via a network
share.

My last suggestion is to buy enclosures that have built-
in power supplies and take standard AC power-cords
rather then depending on an external power "brick".
Especially useful if you're storing the drive as an off-
site backup, because you don't have to worry about the
power brick getting damaged/seperated/lost during
transport. (For example, the MACE/MACALLY CA-405U2 has
a built-in power-supply, and is moderately svelte, $35
at TheNerds.net site.)