Best External Hard Drive

Lacie d2 Quadra

Even with the larger hard drives that come with new computers these days, large digital music and video collections constantly create the demand for more storage. The most practical solution to this problem is an external hard drive, which can be purchased for a reasonable cost. The LaCie d2 Quadra Hard Drive 500 GB ($150) is one of the best hard drives for the average consumer, and is one of the cheaper cost per gigabyte models available. In terms of competition, the My Book Premium Edition 500GB ($190) presents a good product, but it does not have the flexible features of the d2 Quadra.

What's Good:

The strongest feature of the Lacie d2 Quadra is its compatibility with multiple connections and support for both Mac and PC operating systems. It provides Firewire 800 and eSATA connections for faster transfers, while also providing USB 2.0 and Firewire 400 as slower options. This provides the consumer some breathing room when upgrading to computer that features eSATA and Firewire 800 connections, increasing the long term investment value of the d2 Quadra. Drives such as the My Book Premium Edition only offer support for USB 2.0, leaving it vulnerable to technological advancement.

What's Bad:

The biggest complaint that the Lacie d2 Quadra receives is in regards to its customer service. With limited hours and costly fees for talking with customer support, the ability to resolve a problem becomes more difficult. HP, on the other hand, is well known for the excellent, free customer service they provide.

Why it's the Best:

With its modest cost, cross platform compatibility, and overall ease of use, the Lacie d2 Quadra provides consumer looking to expand their digital storage the best option. While the My Book Premium Edition provides a comparable product, its lack of compatibility lessens its value as a long term investment.