Windows XP Made Easy

hard drives compared:

Round-up: high-capacity hard disks

What was tested? Four capacious hard drives were reviewed and rated based on features, performance and value for money. Scores ranged from 8 to 9 points out of 10. Go to magazine

Results of this test:

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Hitachi Deskstar 7K1000 HDS721010KLA330 (1TB)

8 out of 10 points

"This is a very quick drive that gives you an unparallelled amount of storage space. There are some practical considerations to take into account, however, as you risk losing a great deal of data all in one go if it fails. Plus the price is a little too high." more ... (6 reviews)

   
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Samsung Spinpoint T133 HD401LJ (400 GB)

8 out of 10 points

"A touch slower than some, but this hard disk benefits from a whisper-quiet operation that could be a deal-breaker if you're bothered by the constant whirring emanating from your computer. ..." more ... (3 reviews)

   
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Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 (750GB)

9 out of 10 points

"750GB is a lot of storage for less than £150, there's no arguing with the fact that this drive represents excellent value for money. It's fairly rapid and great for multiple uses ..." more ... (1 review & 1 opinion)

   
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Western Digital Caviar SE16 (750 GB)

9 out of 10 points

"Like the Seagate Barracuda this is a great-value drive with a huge amount of storage for a good price. It's fast, quiet and perfectly suited as either a main hard disk or a secondary backup. ..." more ... (2 reviews & 1 opinion)