Can external drives be used with laptops?

[Minimoto]

I want more space because my laptop is running out of GB. So I thought I could buy an external drive, a 500 GB or something. But I'm not sure if you can get them for laptops.
Also, if you can which type would be good?

My laptop is a:

Toshiba Satellite L305
Intel(R) Core(TM)2 Duo CPU P7350 @ 2.00 GHz 2.00 GHz
4.00 GB(RAM)
32-bit Operating System

[Bauzi]

Yes you can. It all depends on which plugs you have on your notebook for the connection.

These are the common connections from slowest to fastest:
USB 2.0 -> FireWire 400 -> FireWire 800 -> e-SATA

[NeoQuixotic]

You can get an external drive for any computer, well because they are "external". The only thing limiting you is the connection of the drive to the computer. Looking up that model it seems to have 3 USB 2.0 ports. If you are using all of them up, you can also get a USB hub to get more ports. You can either get a large external drive that needs to plug in to a wall outlet or a small portable one that will run off the USB. The larger drive needing power will give you more space and speed for the price, but won't be very portable. The small portable drive is well, portable, but is more expensive for the space (maxing out at 750 GB IIRC) and will perform slower. The portable drive will run off of USB, but might require plugging into two USB ports or some other port for the power.

[Minimoto]

I think that I'll get a big one that is for a wall plug. Question is, do you have any recommendations? Anything 500+ GB is fine. Something that gives decent performance for it's price.

[LantisEscudo]

I personally like Western Digital's MyBook line and Seagate's FreeAgent line. I've had four MyBooks and one FreeAgent, and only had an issue with the first MyBook, which was DOA. Both come in a variety of sizes, with a number of different connection options.

[Minimoto]

I personally like Western Digital's MyBook line and Seagate's FreeAgent line. I've had four MyBooks and one FreeAgent, and only had an issue with the first MyBook, which was DOA. Both come in a variety of sizes, with a number of different connection options.

Looking at your recommendations... this one seemed good, what do you think?
http://store.westerndigital.com/store/w ... y.13434000

[NeoQuixotic]

Both 1 TB drives and available for $109 on Newegg.

Western Digital My Book (free shipping)

Seagate FreeAgent

[Minimoto]

Oh!!! Awesome!

[Minimoto]

Checked them out.

Western Digital My Book doesn't have as much negative feedback as the other but is said, by some comments, to be excruciatingly slow.

Seagate FreeAgent seems to have a lot of horrible feedback about it breaking down a lot. Very high negative ratings.

This is what it seems like, what do you think?