Formatting an additional external

Adding another 1.5 TB to my backup arsenal, man it takes a long time to format these bigger HD's.

What interface are you using? USB 2.0 is rather slow. Are you formatting NTFS, HFS, etc? Windows or Mac? I'd ask for your EXIF, but. . . .

USB 2.0, NTFS (I actually considered going to FAT32) just did a transfer job to a Mcbook pro and realized NTFS won't work, I just had two smaller drivers one hold web sites I've done and one holding photos and wanted to consolidate, get do burn some dvd's today.

The 1.5 to 2.0 TB drives are getting so cheap. I even saw an enclosure that can hold two drives and be clones, nice setup. I also thought of using SATA docking stations.

Bill: Check out NTFS for Mac. I format all of my drives NTFS since I use both a Mac and a PC. Highly recommended.

Yibel said:

The 1.5 to 2.0 TB drives are getting so cheap.

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Yup...just picked up a 2.0TB Seagate drive yesterday for $120.

Eduard said:

Bill: Check out NTFS for Mac. I format all of my drives NTFS since I use both a Mac and a PC. Highly recommended.

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Just did my transfers via a usb thumb drive, stayed with fat32.

Wish I could help, Bill. But when it comes to Mac, I'm all thumbs.

That wasn't for me Anthony, I am a Windows user, Eduard had asked the question concerning format. I am also all thumbs with a mac, I get a few calls per year for some tech help.

I got a couple Fantom branded 2 TB external USB 2.0 / eSATA drives for around $100 each. The drives in the enclosure are Samsungs I believe.

I started off with USB 2.0, but then picked up an eSATA card and the speed increase was very nice.

I considered a Drobo, but that doesn't get me an 'off site' copy. My wife works for a bank and we get a safety deposit box as a freebie. I'm going to place one of the drives in it and once a month or so, swap them out.