Which Hard Drive Would You Recommend?

[SG-17]

My laptop hard drive (a Seagate Momentus) recently failed and I am looking for a new one. I have narrowed it down to two choices but one of them is also a Seagate Momentus. The other is a Samsung Spinpoint.
Which one would you recommend?

Seagate: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148073

Samsung: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822152110

 

[DiSiLLUSiON]

I've never had any problems with Samsung desktop (3.5") drives. They're usually a bit cheaper, but also a bit more silent then the competitors. The only one I've got problems with is in my own system; it's beginning to fail after 5 years; however, the temperature in the case is a multitude higher then it should be (it's a Shuttle barebone -- these things run extremely hot with a Intel P4). So, it appears they can't handle extreme heat so well. But, I have no way of comparing that to a competitor.

However, in 2.5" notebook drives I only have experience with Toshiba, Western Digital and Fujitsu. Out of those, the Toshibas seem more reliable, but last I checked, they're also not the cheapest.

So, I think you'd be safe with the Samsung. However, do check out the size; some notebook drives have multiple platters; as such, they're somewhat thicker then others. You'll need to make sure it'll fit. It's usually not a problem in a notebook (as compared with 2.5" media players from a few years back), but you never know.

 

[noknowes]

My laptop hard drive (a Seagate Momentus) recently failed and I am looking for a new one. I have narrowed it down to two choices but one of them is also a Seagate Momentus. The other is a Samsung Spinpoint.
Which one would you recommend?

Seagate: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148073

Samsung: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822152110

Get a solid state SSD card hard drive instead.Lastforever.Only cost $400 for 200gb

 

[DiSiLLUSiON]

Get a solid state SSD card hard drive instead.Lastforever.Only cost $400 for 200gb

No they don't; while the software makes sure data gets randomly written as much as possible (to preserve life -- each cell has a maximum amount of writes), the life expectancy of a SSD drive is still falling way short compared to that of a ordinary hard drive. Also, SSD drives are horrendously slow. Only the most expensive drives are actually faster, in a practical sense, then mechanical hard drives. Plus there are a lot of models out there with a notorious chip that locks up your drive for a second or so randomly. Add that to the fact that, per GB, SSD's are exponentially more expensive and you can only end up with one conclusion: SSD's are only interesting in a specific case when you need the speed, don't mind a short lifetime (as boot drive, perhaps, while you store your documents on a classic drive); and you'll have to dig deep to get it, too.

 

[Jadzia]

Yes I've heard the write life isn't very high, which wouldn't have good longevity as a working disk (eg with virtual memory).

I'm not sure about data retention either. Normal flash memory doesn't store for long - I've heard that data can begin to randomly degrade after about 10 years sitting idle, so it might not be good for long term archiving if it uses the same principles.

But I'd guess SSD does have better shock resistance and lower standby power than conventional hard disks... so good for laptops used outdoors... like for military use.


I can't advise on what is the best; I can only go on experience what few drives I've owned, and only then going by the brand names: Of Seagate Fujitsu Hitachi, my Seagate drive corrupted itself twice. My Fujitsi drive was slow but reliable. My Hitachi drive was fast and is still going.

 

[DiSiLLUSiON]

Good point; I forgot to mention shock absorption; SSD's are much, much better in that aspect seeing as there are no mechanic parts. However, most hard drives can take quite some abuse these days. In the (very) old days, when someone would slam the door to your room, you'd hear the head scratching over the entire platter like nails on a chalkboard, and your stomach would sink with the realization that everything would be gone. Fortunately, they're tougher these days.

 

[Twilight]

do *NOT* buy a Maxtor drive.

I would purchase a Seagate drive IMO.

 

[Marc]

My laptop hard drive (a Seagate Momentus) recently failed and I am looking for a new one. I have narrowed it down to two choices but one of them is also a Seagate Momentus. The other is a Samsung Spinpoint.
Which one would you recommend?

Seagate: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148073

Samsung: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822152110

Get a solid state SSD card hard drive instead.Lastforever.Only cost $400 for 200gb

Sorry but you're factually wrong again.

http://www.amazon.com/OCZ-OCZSSD2-1VTX250G-250GB-Vertex-Solid/dp/B001NPCTBY

The OCZ Vertex 250GB will cost you the better part of $US779. For $US400 you'll get the 120GB model

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227395

 

[Marc]

Yes I've heard the write life isn't very high, which wouldn't have good longevity as a working disk (eg with virtual memory).

Correct - the flash memory used in the drives is like all flash memory - it's only good for a certain number of cycles. while that value is in the millions when you consider how much work the hard disk does (esepcailly as we're talking reading and writing here). that's not that long.

www.anandtech.com has done a number of recent articles on SSDs (it's on going project for them) which would make a good starting place.


As for buying Maxtor drives, you'd think as seagate now owns Maxtor they would of done something about the poor quality of the drives. It can't be in their best interest to have poor drives being sold (then again bearing in mind Seagate's recent problems with the 1TB drives maybe they don't really care.

 

[romulus]

I've only had Western Digital, at least one of them has been going for about 10 years now.

 

[Mr. B]

The Seagate drive you posted it basically the best (re: size, modernity) 2.5'' PATA IDE hard drive there is. Western Digital makes a 250gb model but it is prone to failure.

I was researching the biggest 2.5'' PATA drives when I upgraded an old laptop for use as a portable media backup machine and ultimately purchased the Seagate Momentus drive.

 

[Marc]

The Seagate drive you posted it basically the best (re: size, modernity) 2.5'' PATA IDE hard drive there is. Western Digital makes a 250gb model but it is prone to failure.

I was researching the biggest 2.5'' PATA drives when I upgraded an old laptop for use as a portable media backup machine and ultimately purchased the Seagate Momentus drive.

Wish Sony would use something like the Seagate Momentus in the Vaios then they might be more reliable.

 

[Mr. B]

Yeah, Hitachi drives don't have the best reputation... although I've owned five VAIOs dating back to 2001 and I haven't had a failure yet... knock on wood.

 

[Marc]

Yeah, Hitachi drives don't have the best reputation... although I've owned five VAIOs dating back to 2001 and I haven't had a failure yet... knock on wood.

I have a client who keeps buying them for reasons only known to himself nd none have been overly brilliant (though I think there's a partial PEBKAC problem).

The first one where he lost everthing (factory configured RAID-0 and a drive died) gave me a wry grin - they were Toshiba drives.