No, I was referring to the alternative to carrying around a separate drive which requires its own AC power source. What next for laptop users? A separate screen that requires its own power source?

The mobile world is getting less mobile if users are having to resort to these methods.

If a person only has the one computer (and mobile at that), the odds are the NAS would be a backup / file server solution, and would not be part of the mobile equation. The user takes the needed files, goes mobile, then returns and etc.

Does anybody buy a large 3 1/2 drive like that for use on the move? Surely you would go for a smaller, portable drive (which could run off USB without a power adapter).

I bought a smaller version of that to back up files etc onto when getting a new computer, and as you say, super easy to use!

For my weekly backup etc I like to use them with an on/off switch, and if only that 2TB version had one, I'd get one right away!

In reply to a post by TrishaH:

For my weekly backup etc I like to use them with an on/off switch, and if only that 2TB version had one, I'd get one right away!

As mentioned in this thread I use a remote controlled extension for external drives and other devices that are only wanted occasionally.

For some reason, the link doesn't take me to the thread - any chance you can copy the info please.

How strange, it does for me. No matter the thread referred to me buying and mentioning this device. I continue to use it regularly. It's tucked away round the back of the computer 'hideaway' but as the remote is wireless, not infra-red, that doesn't matter.

The price varies depending on retailer, I got it from Homebase on one of their 15% off everything weekends.

Thank you
When I click the link it tells me 'access denied' and that it may be to do with my computer not accepting cookies ...never had that before, and it does accept cookies - still, thank you for the link to that product.
It looks very useful and will enable me to use any decent external drive! Happy!
I have two drives: LaCie Poulton and Samsung Story (both have Samsung drives I think) - both are working fine and not too old just yet, but I like to replace them every 2-3 years.
Your solution means that once I decide on a new one it doesn't have to have a switch.
Is it OK to plug one of these into a socket on an extension or does it need to be in a wall socket ?

I have mine on one socket of a 10 year old Belkin under monitor SurgeMaster. The Belkin is then plugged into a wall socket.

I have a total of 4 devices on the Energenie so I can pick and choose which one or ones are powered up regardless of whether they have a power switch on the device. Indeed many such devices, even if they have a power switch, are fed by a power 'brick' which is before the switch so always on and drawing current.

Thanks.
I have a Belkin Surgemaster 8 socket, and a couple of those sockets will be freed up if I get one of those Energenie's.
I like how each socket is independently controlled too.

Very helpful