The "Don't Buy This Hardware" Thread

[Master Razor]

On my former workplace we used to use external drivers to transfer data to/from users when upgrading their computers.
Since most external drives are crappy, because:
1. they do not give you any details regarding the HDD used: don't know the manufacturer, RPM, or form factor, or other informations (AF).
2. They are enclosed in a case that cannot be easily opened, and are voiding waranty if you open it. Due to this, they greatly increase the heat generated by HDD.
3. They occupy a lot of space and requires more power than a normal internal HDD.

In other words, instead of this:
http://i.imgur.com/LsPYpE3.jpg

I like this:
http://riponstore.co.ke/wp-content/u...2.5-laptop.png
With a large 2.5/3.5 usb SATA adapter. I have about 40 of these, and they occupy less space than what you see in the first pic.
And that's what I would recommend if you cannot afford nas servers.

[anon]

For support tasks, keep one of these and a 2.5" USB adapter (just its circuit board and a cable) in your backpack, and you can't go wrong.

Buying a regular disk and making it external is usually the best choice, but sometimes "premade" ones cost less.