[SOLVED] What advantage does "Powered" external HDD's have?

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mikehende

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Hey guys, I need to get an 8tb External hard drive. I am seeing slim non-powered ones and the large Desktop type powered ones, which is better for data storage only use please?

Also, what advantage does a branded one have over a generic no-name Chinese made drive?
 
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USAFRet
In this case, its not a case of more or less reliable.
Rather, it is a case between real and fake.

Currently, 8TB SSD start at around $675 for internal, $900+ for external.
8TB external HDD for around $140-$150.

An 8TB HDD external requires wall power.
The 3.5" drive needs both 5v and 12v. The USB port can only supply the 5v...hence the need for wall power.
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Also, what advantage does a branded one have over a generic no-name Chinese made drive?
Warranty, reliability and ease of mind. If none of those matter...you can get something off of Aliexpress. Also, if you didn't know China is the world's factory/assembly line for electronic gear so a majority of tech can and will come out of China.

Mind sharing links to the drives you're looking at?
 
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Well right, my thinking is since almost all electronics are made in China and it's simply that the popular companies put their brand on the same generic ones then why pay $200 for a branded when you can get a non-branded for half the price? I mean if the branded ones would be any better mechanically then of course.

I have no links really, I did a search on eBay for 8tb externals and saw the different options on there.
 
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mikehende said:
Hey guys, I need to get an 8tb External hard drive. I am seeing slim non-powered ones and the large Desktop type powered ones, which is better for data storage only use please?

Also, what advantage does a branded one have over a generic no-name Chinese made drive?
Click to expand...

Hello!

A HDD draws some power while reading or writing large files, especially if it runs at higher speeds: 7200rpm ~ 15000rpm.
So, if the manufacturer included a power cable, then there’s a good reason for that.

“Legit” brands vs “no-name” brands:
When talking about HDDs or anything else, “no-name” brands tend to cut corners by using the cheapest materials out there to manufacture a product, then boasting high numbers that the user can’t reproduce.
Also, there’s the warranty thing...
 
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mikehende said:
Hey guys, I need to get an 8tb External hard drive. I am seeing slim non-powered ones and the large Desktop type powered ones, which is better for data storage only use please?

Also, what advantage does a branded one have over a generic no-name Chinese made drive?
Click to expand...
A link to one of these 'slim' ones?

Slim would indicate solid state, and SSD in 8TB capacity is Not Cheap.
Looking at Amazon, the least expensive 8TB external SSD is $900+.


Read here on inexpensive '8TB' external drives.

Question - How to merge SSD 8Tb drive that is really 4 2Tb drives!

I purchased (on line) a SSD drive reputed to be 8Tb in size. Upon inspection, I found it was really four 2Tb drives somehow encased in the same enclosure. This is a problem for me. Is there a way to merge/link the four drives? I am on a MacPro, by the way.
forums.tomshardware.com forums.tomshardware.com
 
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Thanks. That is what I was thinking that the powered has to have some advantage for them to bother to make it that way so should be the better choice. My worry has been what of the power mechanism fails? I guess I would need to remove the hdd from the casing and do data recovery.

This is one example of slim drives but this one seems way too cheap:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/3737795882...NEHKkVd3xw%3D%3D|clp:2334524|tkp:BFBM2LPEnqFf

This non-powered option is what I am eyeing right now?

https://www.ebay.com/itm/1851051630...ntVbJYV4jHRaw%3D|clp:2334524|tkp:BFBMyrLjnqFf
 
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Your second one is a 3.5" drive inside. Requires wall power.

The first one is simply a scam. There is not 8TB of drive space in there.
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In this case, its not a case of more or less reliable.
Rather, it is a case between real and fake.

Currently, 8TB SSD start at around $675 for internal, $900+ for external.
8TB external HDD for around $140-$150.

An 8TB HDD external requires wall power.
The 3.5" drive needs both 5v and 12v. The USB port can only supply the 5v...hence the need for wall power.
 
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Solution
mikehende said:
Yes, this one came recommenced by a PC Tech:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/353662603570?epid=13021690311&hash=item5257ef1132:g:xIAAAOSwxaNeTjI0&LH_BIN=1

Which I will try to get on a Black Friday sale as first option. Since it's strictly only for backup storage for my existing important files, no absolute need for a 7200 version I think.
Click to expand...
Any particular reason you're shopping on ebay?

This line concerns me...
"Returns: Seller does not accept returns"


Here, at Amazon:
https://www.amazon.com/Seagate-Desktop-External-Hard-Drive/dp/B07CQJBSQL
( i have one)

As of today, same basic price as your ebay thing.
 
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