OK, if Maxtor external drives have drawbacks, what makes should I look for
that are 3 1/2" and powered (and, hopefully, fast)?

You do a Google search for reviews of external drives and make a decision.

"+++Bobby "O"+++" <rmo555@cox.net> wrote in message
news:2c9bf.4985$Kv.2242@dukeread05...
> OK, if Maxtor external drives have drawbacks, what makes should I look for
> that are 3 1/2" and powered (and, hopefully, fast)?
>