I am putting together a new computer, and intend to use it a great deal for video editing. I currently have a 200 gig Seagate Barracuda installed, but would like to use a new WD 120 gig harddrive for storage of video files. I have an extra 5.25 external enclosure, and could easily set up an external drive, but I'm wondering about the advantages of internal versus external storage. I do have plenty of space in my computer case, and could hook the hd up as a slave to the Seagate. Any input would be greatly appreciated. Thanks to all in advance!!!

The main advantage to an external HD is that you can remove it from your system when not needed. This means that if a nasty happens to your computer the data on the external drive should be secure. On the other hand writing to an internal drive should be faster.
I use an external drive for my business files and also use drag to disk to CD. Total of three copies for mission critical files. Fire or theft are other concerns for extremely important files. Many corporations use off site storage solutions for added protection against data loss.

Hi OTH - long time no see :-) Just wanna say I totally agree with your opinion regarding external HD. In any case none of the manufacturers have ever described it as anything beyond "storage."

i_XpUser

Hey XP - I've been here lately. Guess we haven't been responding to the same threads. Have one now that is up to the high sixties in responses.

Oh you're right. BTW I almost bought Brother MFC665CW that is currently on sale at Staples for $149 instead of $199. It has everything I like.

I inquired about the starter cartridges that came with it. A foreign-born Associates told me it will print only about 30 pages. I then asked to see the replacement cartridges packages.

Two things caused me to walk out of the store empty-hand.

Number 1: Price for the cartridges are steep - $33.89 for two black and $38.89 for the three color ones.

Number 2: The replacement cartridge contain a mechanism that will "expire" (or kill it) in August 2008.

i_XpUser

typo..

and $38.89 for the three color ones.

should read

and $44.89 for the three color ones.

i_XpUser

Hey XP

Are you sure about that Kill stuff. If that is the case I think it is time to write my Congressman. Enough is enough. I recently read at Ars that Epson WON a lawsuit involving aftermarket ink use. Where will this stop? DRM, net neutrality, starter cartridges, now self destruct mechanisms. IMO the ONLY thing any company should legally be allowed to do is Void a warranty if you damage the product by using unapproved supplies or parts. I fully understand WHY things are as they are but I don't like it.
On another note, I have found that Sam's Club will somtimes have equipment that comes with more than the manufacturer normally provides. An example is the Konica Minolta 2300DL Color Laser I currently use. KM normally packaged this laser printer with starter toner cartgidges. The unit I got from Sam's Club came with not just the standard capacity cartridges but with the high capacity ones. I checked the best online prices on the cartgidges before buying the printer and they added up to 2/3 the cost of the printer. I felt this was a good deal as the total price was the same as the best price elsewhere for a unit with the starter cartridges. I don't know if this is the norm or not but I would check it out. The all in one machine you were interested in is an inkjet isn't it? Even when going to Laser you need to check the cost per page. Home use Color Lasers have really small cartridges. I believe my printer has cartridges rated at 4500 copies. When you check the printer for remaining toner it bases the percentage on normal coverage. When it goes to 0% you can override the counter and continue to use the cartridge until empty. Tech support walked me thru that. Scanners are another scam, if you will. Most times the software bundled with them is next to useless. A few years ago I go a free Canon flatbed scanner that was bundled with a cheap inkjet printer. It was worth what I paid for it. I personally don't worry to much about speed when looking at this type of equipment. I don't produce enough paperwork for that to matter. I look at Quality and TCO 9total cost of ownership). Guess I'm done ranting.