My experience with external drives using both a desk top and lap via firewire is if you go cheap WD and other your headed down a path of frustration.. You have to pay a bit more to get a drive with a good buffer and fast enough drive to do video.. The old saying is you get what you pay for.. Check out promax.com the stuff is a bit more expense but they have great support and back everything they sell Joe Camporesi Www.lovethatvideo.com