TOSHIBA 1TB USB 2.0 / eSATA 3.5" External Hard Drive PH3100U-1EXB Black

Pros: Quiet, sleek, eSata option, purchased before the hard drive crisis, but it's still worth it.

Cons: Not out-of-the-box friendly. It goes to sleep if you're not actively using it, which renders it worthless for remote access if you don't hire someone to sit right next to it and press the power button whenever you want to access it.

Overall Review: Went to the toshiba website and downloaded the tool to remove the sleep option and connected it as an eSata. Doesn't go to sleep anymore and boots up with the computer from a complete power off state. I simply love it now. Here's a link for the Toshiba website for those who encounter the same problem: http://www.csd.toshiba.com/cgi-bin/tais/support/jsp/modelContent.jsp?modelFilter=PH3100U-1EXB&rpn=undefined&category=&selCategory=2756711&moid=2409112&os=&ct=SB&selFamily=2409110

Pros: Looks nice. Compatable with most DVR cable boxes. eSATA connection.

Cons: Died 4 days after I put it into use. Cost another $13 to ship it back to NewEgg. I bought a 12 month extended warrantee but the cost of return shipping on a $59 refurb is not worth it.

Overall Review: Never buy refurb again!

Pros: By far the smallest 1 TB external HDD.

Cons: Quirky power-saving option

Overall Review: I bought this drive as a strict back-up for my media files as I do a good bit of HD editing. It's true that it doesn't have a full TB of free space, because it has a non-removable virtual CD drive that it uses for back-up software. But ultimately it doesn't matter much. It does automatically shut off after 5 mins of inactivity, and will need to be restarted with its power button rather than simply double-clicking on it in Windows. But since I use it strictly for back-up purposes, it doesn't matter much either. But no, it doesn't just shut off on its own while you're trying to access a file.

Pros: Good for small, unimportant file transfer.

Cons: This external HD has been completely unreliable since day one. It corrupts data and doesn't power off properly. Originally purchased to backup my computers only to find out later on that the backups weren't useable. I do not recommend this item for large data transfers.

Overall Review: I was thinking of returning it but at this point it would just be a hassle.

Pros: If it worked, it would likely have been a good drive. I have had no problems with their portable drives.

Cons: Defective drive. :( I am glad we got the extended warranty on this drive. Unfortunately, they can't do anything till the 90 days are up. (At least THEY have better hours than Toshiba does for getting support.)

Overall Review: Toshiba changed the support web page and phone number for their external drives. 6-7 phone calls later, I was able to find the right location for getting warranty replacement on the drive. Toshiba Acclaim (who took over the external drive division in 6/2011) is at 888-592-0944. Warranty web page is at - https://www.csdsupport.toshiba.com/tais/csd/support/acclaim/acclaim_index.cgi They directed me to goto http://acclaim.toshiba.com

Pros: - Power button is on the back (others think this is a con, I disagree, I like the power button in the back). - Small and quite, almost can't hear when it's on.

Cons: - No way to tell us if/when the HDD is in use/being accessed or not. - Power button needs to stand out a bit? (people with long fingernails might have slight trouble turning HDD on and off since it's perfectly flush with case) [nto really a con, but good info to know]

Overall Review: - The makers put a LED in the front to tell us if the unit is on or not, that's great, but they forgot the 2nd LED. Maybe have the white LED blink when HDD is being accessed would be great. - Package details said came with CD for backup software, there was no CD, it was on the HDD itself. - You can do a quick format or delete the files on the HDD to use the HDD your way. - FYI: 1TB = ~930GB, just to warn you.

Pros: Stylish, quiet.

Cons: Power switch on back is awkward. Indicator light on front only indicates that the drive is powered on, not read/writes. Apparently recertification doesn't include virus and file system scans.

Overall Review: I got a special bonus on the "recertified" Toshiba External USB drive - it was infected with the Win32/Vobfus.C trojan. Fortunately I first attached it to a Linux box... Anyway, it also arrived without the (mentioned in the quick-start) CD, the backup software directory on the drive itself was corrupt and couldn't be opened, and there was what appeared to be an existing backup set on it.

Pros: Very cheap. Sleek design. Large size for the price.

Cons: Very minor - power button is on the back of the drive.

Overall Review: I formatted this right as I received it. I didn't want the backup software that was included. 931 GB total / free. For the price, you can't beat this drive. If you have trouble with it shutting down, change your power options in the control panel. Great little drive!