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1) where's the best place to get the best deal?
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Try
Pricewatch.com. Just make sure the site has lots of good reviews and do a google search on them before you buy.
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2) firewire or usb? I have ports for both.
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I have both as well, and on my PC, firewire outperforms the USB 2 with my external HD.
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3) any brands I should look for or stay away from?
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Opinions vary, but I personally am partial to Seagate and Western Digital drives, but definately not Maxtor, ever.
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4) are most ext drives bus powered or will I have a choice? if I have a choice, should I go with external power? I don't want to overload my laptops power supply.
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On a laptop, I'd go with the external power.
Mack