Maxtor External Network Storage

[P-Dub]

Just curious, has anyone had any experience with this unit?

• Add storage and share files, photos, and music
• Access files from multiple PCs
• Easy installation - Automatic network configuration
• Easy browser interface to assign privacy levels for shared folders
• Drag and Sort™ file organization
• 2 USB ports let you add shared printers or extra drives
• 100Base-T / 10Base-T Ethernet connection
• 200GB and 300GB capacities

I saw this at Costco for $389.99.

I'm looking to add an additional external drive for storgage. I'm interested in the network solution. I currently have a drive enclusure and it is being shared, but sometimes my computer locks up and my wife can't get access to the drive.

Or I could just buy a network drive enclosure and transfering my existing drive to it. Something like this:



This would cost me about C$145.

[ThomasW]

I have one of the older Maxtor One-Touch drives. There's no reasonable way to open the enclosure and replace the drive. If it dies I can break the case open or throw the whole thing away.

If I were you I'd go for the build it myself method using the network drive enclosure

[P-Dub]

Thomas, that's a good point! HD do fail from time to time. I just assumed that I could open up the Maxtor and replace the drive.

[PewterTA]

Those Maxtor are sealed like no one's business, they DO NOT want you putting new HDs into the thing.

IMO, you're better to get an external enclosure with ethernet abilities and be able to put what HD you want in it. Then just swap out HDs whenever you want to.

[junior77blue]

I have a similar drive from Lacie, was able to swap out the 80GB maxtor drive and replace it with my 250GB Western digital drive.

I know they have network versions out now as well, the cases are well made and relatively easy to get into.

[kitesmurf]

Just to update this thread - there are a number of barebone systems on the market now. I personally have a NAS drive by a company called Synology. The unit come supplied a an empty case, you open up the case and simply add your own HDD (SATA or ATA). The unit features full NAS features, FTP access, & Web Server. There's also a handy USB Flash Card copy function and the ability to add on other USB drives.

[aud19]

I'm looking for an external enclosure too and would love one that accepts both/either SATA or IDE drives of my own choosing. I'm gonna have a look at that Synology Ian :T Otherwise anyone else have some reccomendations?

[aud19]

I'm looking at this model:

http://www.american-media.com/Products/VenusSeries/Venus_ds/Venus_ds.html

The Venus DS3 (DS-2316CBK)


I'll be using it for getting some data off my old HD's and then for backup etc with a new drive down the line.

[aud19]

Just found out our supplier can get me this unit for CHEAP:

Vibe 3.5" IDE HDD ENCLOSURE (HD338U2)

The case is made of Aluminium and it comes with a stand
Specifications:
-Support all 3.5" IDE HDD
-Perfect for Data Storage, Transfer, and Backup -LED Power switch designed for Power Supply and Data Transfer -Rear Cooling Fan for HDD heat release -USB 1.1 / 2.0 supported -Screw-less and Stand supported -Plug & Play and Hot Swappable -Compatible with Win98/2000/ME/XP, and Mac OS 8.6 or above -AC input: 100VAC to 240VAC, 0.8A, 50-60Hz / DC output: 12 V, 2.0A
-Dimensions: D222 x W119 x H34mm
-Support Plug and Play
-Front Panel: LED Power switch
-Rear Panel: 1x USB 2.0 Port/1x Cooling Fan/Cooling fan power switch/DC-in Package Includes :
-VB-HDD-3508-U2 external enclosure
-User's Manual
-Driver CD
-Power Supply with Power Cord
-USB 2.0 Cable

It doesn't have the FW support of the Venus but their customer service hasn't got back to me yet on Canadian availability so they might loose my sale to this one