I want to set up an external storage setup. The main purpose is to connect to a computer via USB or any other convenient portable connection method. Usage will be for general storage and backups, and to develop a database to run with Python programs (size will be minimal for a database, likely won’t need more than 512GB for the next couple of years). I expect to fill only 50% of 512GB, but my software may compound my needs 2-4x, unsure for now.

This is all for accounting and Python programming, combined. Personal development of programs, and building of a database for personal tools & potential pre-alpha demonstrations of software for future saleable applications. Typical file types I will store are related to webpages, pdf’s, Excel, text/word, pictures, etc. Files from other accounting software typically wouldn’t be stored on the drives in large quantities, since I don’t need to keep those on hand for any storage or ongoing database purposes.

Suggestions on how to set this up? Are there any features that I should be aware of (ie. raid setups, Wireless connectivity, etc). I don’t have any USB-C devices but wouldn’t be averse to buying adapters if that offers a significant advantage.

What I need:
- As portable as possible
- Price is a factor, but must be 100% SSD storage
- Fast reads AND writes for the price, including sporadic read/writes (files being accessed typically will be small, but many files will be accessed frequently and automatically).
- Reliable. Unsure how many drives I’ll need. Likely a single backup mirror drive would be okay.
- Quirk-free: I don’t want to encounter one of those weird “oh ya this format doesn’t support operation in this weird specific circumstance.”

This post was edited by Canadian_Man on Jan 3 2018 04:03pm

Samsung T3 with usb-c connector (you can get normal usb on the other end, future-proofs you when your other devices also have usb-c)

I would go for something like an M.2 Crucial MX300 with an enclosure which support USAP something like this https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00KQ4LNJC/ref=psdc_160354011_t2_B01G35B0YK

As for reliability, mirrored disks are not considered backup, only redundancy. Because if you delete a files completely by mistake the mirrored disk will also be affected.
Also if your device gets stolen, lost or damaged.

I recommend either a cloud based backup or doing one yourself on a different PC.

What OS will you be using this with?

This post was edited by ZwiX on Jan 3 2018 05:06pm

Thanks. I should clarify: It's not going to be a "database", so much as it's just a drive. But the way I'll be treating the drive is somewhat like a database, in that it'll be used primarily in conjunction with Python programs, SQL will be used in a couple programs to handle a range of things including files, etc, and the relative location of files on the drive might be a tiny bit important.

I'll be using Windows 7, Windows 10, etc, when the drive is connected to various computers. I've been picking up Python (used to use C++ a bit), and building software that is useful for my work in accounting. Currently it's a side hobby, and programs I'm working on right now are simple in nature but useful to me.

Looks like I can get everything set up at a reasonable price. Perhaps I won't worry as much about redundancy within the drive, and I'll stick to physical backups yet again. I am not a fan of using cloud storage, my internet is just slow everywhere I go, especially upload speeds.

The question now is whether I just get a single external 512GB SSD, or two, for the enclosure. If for now I'm backing up physically, regularly, then perhaps no built-in redundancy is needed.

This post was edited by Canadian_Man on Jan 3 2018 09:56pm

Just buy any reg SSD on sale, And buy a $10 USB Type C enclosure.

yup

Sweet got it in the checkout and will buy when I get home.