Shop for external hard drives

• CNET Editor rating:
  4.0 stars Excellent
• Average user rating: 2.5 stars out of 4 reviews

The Bottom Line: The SimpleTech Signature Mini Black Cherry is a compact, USB-only external hard drive that will tempt you with its sleek design, and then win you over with its capacity, performance, and price. Read review

Specs: 320 GB, Hi-Speed USB, 2.5", 8 MB, 5400 rpm

• CNET Editor rating:
  4.0 stars Excellent
• Average user rating: 0 stars No reviews, write one!

The Bottom Line: Whether you use a Mac or a PC, the 320GB Western Digital My Passport Studio is the perfect compact external drive with a low cost per GB, a compact design, decent performance, and a surprisingly lengthy warranty. Read review

Specs: 320 GB, IEEE 1394 (FireWire) / Hi-Speed USB

• CNET Editor rating:
  4.0 stars Excellent
• Average user rating: 3.0 stars out of 25 reviews

The Bottom Line: Drobo takes the pain and confusion out of data protection and lets you tailor and expand the drive according to your needs. This so-called storage robot works exactly as promised and is the most innovative storage device we've seen in a long time. We want one. Read review

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.5 stars Very good
• Average user rating: 2.0 stars out of 57 reviews

The Bottom Line: If write speed isn't a top priority, the Western Digital MyBook is a good deal at around $300 for a 500GB drive. It'll look good on your desk or bookshelf, too. Read review

Specs: 500 GB, IEEE 1394 (FireWire) / Hi-Speed USB, 16 MB, 8.9 ms, 7200 rpm

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.5 stars Very good
• Average user rating: 1.5 stars out of 55 reviews

The Bottom Line: The Western Digital MyBook World Edition is a simple-to-use NAS drive that makes remote access and file sharing easy for even beginners. Only its slow data transfer speed gives us pause. Read review

Specs: My Book World Edition NAS server, 500 GB, PC, Mac, 4 pin USB Type A, RJ-45, Standard, Ethernet, Fast Ethernet, Gigabit Ethernet

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.5 stars Very good
• Average user rating: 3.0 stars out of 8 reviews

The Bottom Line: The D-Link DNS-323 2-Bay Network Storage Enclosure is a comprehensive solution to extend your network storage and functionality. It offers great performance and, despite its long list of features, remains very easy to use. Read review

Specs: D-Link DNS 323 2-Bay Network Storage Enclosure - NAS server, PC, RJ-45, Standard, Ethernet, Fast Ethernet, Gigabit Ethernet

• CNET Editor rating:
  4.0 stars Excellent
• Average user rating: 4.0 stars out of 3 reviews

The Bottom Line: The Synology DS107+ is the most sophisticated NAS device we've tested to date. Its more advanced features require some networking know-how, but the included software and Web interface go a long way in helping you tackle the various offerings. You can't beat all the features you get for the price. Read review

• CNET Editor rating:
  4.0 stars Excellent
• Average user rating: 1.5 stars out of 22 reviews

The Bottom Line: The Seagate FreeAgent Pro external hard drive is an elegant workaround for users who are intimidated by NAS drives. The bundled software is simple to use and makes copying your data to various location a cinch. We really like this external hard drive. Read review

Specs: 500 GB, IEEE 1394 (FireWire) / Hi-Speed USB / eSATA-300, 3.5", 7200 rpm

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.5 stars Very good
• Average user rating: 4.0 stars out of 2 reviews

The Bottom Line: If you love flashy toys, the Iomega eGo is for you. It's a fast and stylish drive, but Mac users get left out when it comes to backup. Read review

Specs: 160 GB, Hi-Speed USB

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.5 stars Very good
• Average user rating: 2.0 stars out of 2 reviews

The Bottom Line: The Maxtor OneTouch 4 Mini is a great option for working on the go, with fast write speeds as well as backup and restore software. Read review

Specs: 160 GB, Hi-Speed USB, 2.5", 8 MB, 5400 rpm

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.0 stars Good
• Average user rating: 3.0 stars out of 17 reviews

The Bottom Line: Apple's hybrid 802.11n wireless router/networked hard drive offers some powerful data backup features for Mac owners, as well as Apple's typical pleasing design. Windows users and anyone who demands speed from their 802.11n network will be disappointed. Read review

Specs: Apple Time Capsule NAS server, 500 GB, PC, Mac, RJ-45, 4 pin USB Type A, Standard, Ethernet, IEEE 802.11a, IEEE 802.11b, IEEE 802.11g, Fast Ethernet, Gigabit Ethernet, IEEE 802.11n (draft)

• CNET Editor rating:
  4.0 stars Excellent
• Average user rating: 2.5 stars out of 4 reviews

The Bottom Line: The Seagate FreeAgent Pro external hard drive is an elegant workaround for users who are intimidated by NAS drives. The bundled software is simple to use and makes copying your data to various location a cinch. We really like this external hard drive. Read review

Specs: 750 GB, IEEE 1394 (FireWire) / Hi-Speed USB / eSATA-300, 3.5", 7200 rpm

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.5 stars Very good
• Average user rating: 2.0 stars out of 7 reviews

The Bottom Line: HP's Media Vault is a storage drive that offers an easy way to back up files from your networked PCs, along with the ability to stream your digital media files to other networked devices in your home. We really like this drive. Read review

Specs: HP Media Vault MV2020 - Network drive, 500 GB, PC, RJ-45, 4 pin USB Type A, Standard, Ethernet, Fast Ethernet, Gigabit Ethernet

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.5 stars Very good
• Average user rating: 1.0 stars out of 5 reviews

The Bottom Line: The Maxtor OneTouch 4 Plus is a good choice for the average home user who wants a fast and simple-to-use external hard drive for backup and storage. Mac users will want to find a different restore utility to use with it. Read review

Specs: 250 GB, IEEE 1394 (FireWire) / Hi-Speed USB, 3.5", 16 MB, 7200 rpm

• CNET Editor rating:
  4.0 stars Excellent
• Average user rating: 0 stars No reviews, write one!

The Bottom Line: Made from bamboo and recycled aluminum, the SimpleTech (Re)Drive is the most environmentally friendly external hard drive we've tested. It works well as a USB 2.0-only storage device and offers a unique ownership experience. Read review

Specs: 500 GB, Hi-Speed USB

• CNET Editor rating:
  Not yet rated
• Average user rating: 2.0 stars out of 46 reviews

The Bottom Line: The Western Digital MyBook Essential Edition external hard drive is a slightly pared-down version of the MyBook Premium Edition. It's a good option if you need additional storage without backup software. Read review

Specs: 500 GB, Hi-Speed USB, 16 MB, 8.9 ms, 7200 rpm

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.0 stars Good
• Average user rating: 2.5 stars out of 10 reviews

The Bottom Line: Apple's hybrid 802.11n wireless router/networked hard drive offers some powerful data backup features for Mac owners, as well as Apple's typical pleasing design. Windows users and anyone who demands speed from their 802.11n network will be disappointed. Read review

Specs: Apple Time Capsule NAS server, 1 TB, PC, Mac, RJ-45, 4 pin USB Type A, Standard, Ethernet, IEEE 802.11a, IEEE 802.11b, IEEE 802.11g, Fast Ethernet, Gigabit Ethernet, IEEE 802.11n (draft)

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.5 stars Very good
• Average user rating: 0 stars No reviews, write one!

The Bottom Line: The LaCie d2 Quadra is a capacious and speedy drive, with lots of connection options. Read review

Specs: 500 GB, IEEE 1394b (FireWire 800) / IEEE1394 (FireWire) / Hi-Speed USB / eSATA, External, 16 MB, 10 ms, 7200 rpm

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.5 stars Very good
• Average user rating: 0.5 stars out of 9 reviews

The Bottom Line: With the Iomega StorCenter Wireless NAS drive, you get storage, backup, and so much more, all at a reasonable price, though we don't quite see the need for wireless capability. This NAS drive should please both SOHO users and home users who want a drive that works and plays. Read review

Specs: Iomega StorCenter Wireless Network Storage 1TB - NAS server, 1 TB, PC, Mac, RJ-45, 4 pin USB Type A, Standard, Ethernet, IEEE 802.11g, Fast Ethernet, Gigabit Ethernet

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.5 stars Very good
• Average user rating: 1.0 stars out of 10 reviews

The Bottom Line: The Maxtor OneTouch 4 Plus is a good choice for the average home user who wants a fast and simple-to-use external hard drive for backup and storage. Mac users will want to find a different restore utility to use with it. Read review

Specs: 750 GB, IEEE 1394 (FireWire) / Hi-Speed USB, 3.5", 16 MB, 7200 rpm

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.5 stars Very good
• Average user rating: 2.5 stars out of 33 reviews

The Bottom Line: Western Digital's Passport Portable External Hard Drive lets you take a lot of data on the road for a low price. Read review

Specs: 160 GB, Hi-Speed USB, 2.5", 2 MB, 12 ms, 5400 rpm

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.5 stars Very good
• Average user rating: 0 stars No reviews, write one!

The Bottom Line: For those bemoaning the lack of network support on last year's innovative Drobo drive, DroboShare offers Gigabit Ethernet and as simple and straightforward a setup as we found with the direct-attached Drobo. Read review

Specs: Drobo DroboShare, PC, Mac, RJ-45, Ethernet, Fast Ethernet, Gigabit Ethernet

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.5 stars Very good
• Average user rating: 3.5 stars out of 12 reviews

The Bottom Line: The Seagate FreeAgent Pro operates as both a hard drive and a portable PC environment, but even if you're not interested in the Ceedo program, the FreeAgent Pro offers fast speeds and good value. Read review

Specs: 160 GB, Hi-Speed USB, 2.5", 5400 rpm

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.5 stars Very good
• Average user rating: 2.0 stars out of 10 reviews

The Bottom Line: The Maxtor OneTouch 4 Plus is a good choice for the average home user who wants a fast and simple-to-use external hard drive for backup and storage. Mac users will want to find a different restore utility to use with it. Read review

Specs: 500 GB, IEEE 1394 (FireWire) / Hi-Speed USB, 3.5", 16 MB, 7200 rpm

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.5 stars Very good
• Average user rating: 1.0 stars out of 2 reviews

The Bottom Line: The Iomega StorCenter Network Hard Drive offers a small footprint and fast-enough performance, but the setup process was a bit frustrating. Read review

Specs: Iomega StorCenter Network Hard Drive - NAS server, 500 GB, PC, Mac, RJ-45, 4 pin USB Type A, Standard, Ethernet, Fast Ethernet, Gigabit Ethernet