Simpletech External Hard Drives

[Pete]

Simpletech Ext HD:USB 235/160 GB (USB 2.0 only) $137.00 includes SC state tax)

Simpletech  Ext HD  USB 2.0 and Firewire $161.15, includes shipping and no state tax.

Is it worth the  added $24.00 for what appears to be a newer model and with Firewire?

Appreciate any comments.

thanks in advance

[query]

If you have a firewire port, it's preferable to USB2.  Although USB2 is theoretically faster than Firewire 400, in practice, the overhead of firewire is lower and performance is higher.

Those prices are OK but not exceptional.  You can this week purchase a WD 160G drive for $60 after rebates - an external drive case of probably better quality than the one SimpleTech uses will run you about $30 - less than $100.  in total.

The problem with SimpleTech is that you have no way of knowing whose drive is inside - and I'd be wary that you might end up with a Maxtor drive, which at the moment would decided not be a good thing.

[Pete]

Thanks Query,
I already have a WD 120 but just now found the Simpletech 160 at Dell (how 'bout that, Dell lselling Simpletech ?) for  $140 with free shipping
I ordered one.
Regards