Best & Affordable External Hard Drives - PC & Mac

Sometimes it seems like there's just not enough space. You tidy up and try to conserve room, but things just never seem to get any better. Now while this can certainly apply to real life, it is becoming a greater and greater reality for computer owners. There was a time when PC users could happily get by with a 32 gig internal HDD and no complaints. The rise and of games, programs, music, digital movies, and other media has led to the rapid consumption of hard drive space. For those in desperate need of some extra storage space for their desktop or laptop, here are five of your best choices.

1. Western Digital WD Elements 1.5 TB

Starting things off is this little treasure. Its massive size will certainly catch your eye- good luck trying to fill up all that space! WD did a fantastic job with this HDD. At around $90, it's very affordable and considerably larger than you normally get in that price range. Another big advantage is the power-saving design- it turns off when your PC does to conserve energy. While it ships in the PC format, it's fairly simply to reformat it for Mac owners.

2. Seagate Expansion 250 GB Portable

Not every user is looking for a massive external hard drive. Why pay extra for space you have no intention of using- the same logic that applies to homes? The Seagate 250 GB is exactly what these price savvy users are looking for. At around $50, the price is right for this easy to set up, reliable HDD. No software required- just plug it in and you're just a few clicks away from having all the space you could want.

3. Iomega eGo 1TB FireWire 800

While more pricey than the WD 1.5 at about $115, it is made of higher quality parts. Just holding it in your hands you can tell the manufacturer pulled out all the stops in terms of materials. More trendy-conscious users will also appreciate the aesthetic appeal- the Iomega eGo simply looks stylish with its silver finish and shiny components. This one is formatted for Mac, but can easily make the change over to PC.

4. Toshiba Canvio Plus 320 GB

This compact portable hard drive is an excellent money saver. At $50 it offers the benefits of reduced price and ample space. The design is very appealing to the eye as well as to the touch. It's very easy to install and looks nice attached to any matching black PC. It is built to with shock protection and comes loaded with data back-up software.

5. Hitachi X250 Mobile 250 GB

At $40, this durable HDD steals low budget, quality seeking users. If you aren't looking for a tremendous amount of space and want to keep your wallet well fed, this is the option for you. Very user-friendly and durable, it offers great value to those uninterested in status symbols. What the Hitachi X250 lacks in cosmetic appeal, it makes up for with practicality.