Black Friday has me conflicted

[sherryillk]

I am planning on fighting to get a cheap external hard drive on Friday. But I don't know which one I want. I have two that I'm going in between -- the I/O Magic 250 GB one for $39.99 and the Western Digital MyBook 400 GB one for $99.98. The WD one gets better reviews and seems to be most reliable. The I/O one is the best deal which is a very appealing to me as a semi-starving college student. So what should I do? If I'm going to be trekking it to Union Square to either Staples or Circuit City, I want to be in place, in line and definitely getting one of them. Circuit City starts at 5 AM, Staples at 6 AM but I think I need to leave really early, dress really warm and fight my way through the craziness that I assume Black Friday will be...

I would love the WD 400 GB one -- it's 400 GB which is a lot, and it's reliable and it's really is a good deal as it is. It's probably going to be hell to get and there are rebates associated which also kinda sucks but really when I think about it, spending only $40 is much preferable than $100. I can swing both of them but I really don't need 400 GB right? 250 GB should be plenty for me.

But the reliability issue does concern me. I don't want them to crash and die on me because 250 GB worth of stuff is a lot. I don't know. I need to decide soon but I don't know what to decide. I'm still leaning towards the I/O Magic one even if I'm feeling leery about it. I haven't heard overwhelmingly bad reviews, just some that make me concerned so I guess I'll just have to see how that concern weighs out... It's hard just going on what I hear online because I don't know either brands so I'm just trying to base my opinions on things I don't know are true or not... :\

But tomorrow is Thanksgiving! I have no plans other than to make a real breakfast, watch the parade and possibly study a bit. Maybe. I don't know. Studying and me usually never works out so... I'm just planning on relaxing and trying not to freak about going to shop when it's dark outside. And cold too. Not to mention having to go on the subway... I hope leaving around 4 AM is early enough... :\

Comments

[steveyshock.livejournal.com]

WD is better. I've used both, and the one I'm sporting right now is a 160 gb Western Digital. Never had a problem with it, and the compatibility is great. :D

[sherryillk.livejournal.com]

Yes, it seems like the general consensus is that that WD products are very good. The more I think about it, the more I think I should get the WD but I know it's going to be hard to find since I think a lot of people are thinking the same way I am...

[dusk-eyed.livejournal.com]

Here via friendsfriends. Um,I have the I/O Magic one in the 200gb size. I like it but it does have a short in it that makes it cranky to get to stay on sometimes. If you're using it with a laptop especially, that can get problematic.

[sherryillk.livejournal.com]

Friendsfriends? I don't think I've heard of it before... Oh well, whatever caused you to come this way, thank you for the insight! Is that short characteristic of the entire brand? I'm not sure I want it if that's so because I am using it with a laptop (one of the reasons why I need more space actually)....

[dusk-eyed.livejournal.com]

If you have a paid account (and are bored) you can put an extra friends after the first friends on your friends link. On the browser bar. Then you an see the friends of your friends.

I'm honestly not sure if it's a brand flaw or not but I thought it worth mentioning. I've got my laptop mainly in one place now so it's not a big deal but it might be something you want to know about.