Digital Photo portable Storage solution

Joined: 06 Apr 2006 Posts: 4

I am an advanced beginner now looking for one solution (and maybe that is my problem) for portable storage for photos. So I have the camera and the Sandisk Card reader. I typically upload photos to my PC. I am beginning to burn CDs the pictures.

I would like to find a reasonably priced (if possible) portable harddrive which I can take when I travel and at home can serve as the external harddrive. I would then burn CDs or DVDs on a periodic basis but especially before travel to back up what is on this drive.

So I THINK the storage solution I'm looking for does not require a computer and if possible does not require a card reader. Or perhaps a solution where I can plug the card reader into this storage solution (again, no computer). Other internet searches have yielded the opinion that it is important to get one that indicates the status of the transfer of the image into the storage device. However I don't think I need an LCD panel of the photo image itself.

The CF cards I use are 1Gig so I was hoping to get something that holds about 80Gig. I was also hoping to get something less than $200.00.

My head is now spinning and about to explode from Google searches and Amazon opinions on various products, e.g. prior to any research I bought the Smartdisk Photobank 80 gig from OfficeMax and came home to find Amazon opinions trashing its 40 gig version of the same product.

I am casual photographer who is just getting into this and would welcome any different points of views as to my way of thinking about what I need.
Perhaps some more long term views of what I might want to get now in order to expand later, i.e. I'm open to a different strategy.

THANK YOU!!
Donna

Joined: 05 Aug 2005 Posts: 545 Location: KS - USA

A few thoughts:

First, the portable hard drives that also serve as flash card readers run around $200USD or more. The very basic ones offer no viewing capability, just a hard drive. Some are battery operated, so they can operate "in the field" without needing external power. The downsides - it's still a hard drive, and prone to failure if it's treated too harshly or bounced around too much. Many of these units use the 1.8" drive, and they aren't the most robust of drives. Depending on unit, they can be VERY slow to transfer files, and some are reported to only copy 1-2GB on battery before needing recharging.

Another idea is to get a smaller laptop. Many times, you can buy a brand new one for $350USD to around $500 (after rebates, etc.). These will have a CD/DVD burner, as well as a hard drive. Since they also operate on a battery, they can also operate "in the field" (admittedly, not as convenient). You can also find used ones for $150 or so, that are sufficient for performing a backup of your pictures (both to the laptop hard drive and the CD/DVD). Downsides - larger, heavier, battery life may not be much better, but you will get better data transfer rates. You can get some older small (12") laptops that are pretty small.

Me - I've been in the computer field for a long time, and I don't trust hardware too much. I prefer two backups over one, and on different types of media. I opt for several flash cards (so I can go all day with them), then come back home or to my hotel room at night, and transfer them to my laptop. I then burn the pics to CD/DVD, giving me the option of mailing them (further insurance, since if someone steals my laptop, I've still got my pics). Only after having at least 2 backups on different media will I then erase the card(s) for use again.

And, I can use the laptop for getting email, etc., while out and about.

The issue really boils down to how much are your pictures worth? If you transfer them to a device, erase your flash card, and then lose the backup device - what's it worth to keep from losing those pics?

Joined: 06 Apr 2006 Posts: 4

How funny! I work for a REALLY LARGE computer maker and it never dawned on me to consider buying a small laptop for this purpose. I just thought I needed some new device. I like your approach very much (the cards, the laptop and the CD/DVDs). I think I'll go with that approach. One more question...which is better, burning to a CD or a DVD? THANKS, Donna

Joined: 05 Aug 2005 Posts: 545 Location: KS - USA

I understand. I "worried" over the issue for quite a while, and after turning it over in my mind several times - the laptop just always seems to win out - given my situation.

I think the portable devices are great if you are in the "back country" and need something light and very portable (power is still an issue though).

As far as CD or DVD - it's your choice. Obviously, you'll need more CDs than DVDs. The cost of DVDs has come down quite a bit, and while I haven't done a recent analysis of cost per MB of CD vs. DVD, I'd bet the DVD is a bit cheaper right now than the CD. Besides the fact that CDs (for data) are going the way of the dodo.

Just keep in mind that CDs and DVDs aren't permanent, and the ones you burn DO NOT last as long as they claim. Most times, they will go 3-5 years before you start having problems reading them. So, buy the better quality media, and keep in mind that you'll need to advance them to the "next" technology (whatever that is).