I have a LaCie external hard disk aswell and they are very good. I've had it for quite a while now and have never had any problems with it. It's the one shaped like a Lego brick. I was looking at external hard disks on the Argos website recently and came across these...

Buffalo 320Gb 3.5 Network Attached Hard Drive. 062/1537
£159.99

Freecom 500Gb External Hard Drive. 675/3540
£129.99

Western Digital Elements 500Gb External Hard Drive. 675/3571
£109.99

Philips 3.5in External 500Gb Hard Drive. 675/2266
Save £90.00 £109.99
Was £199.99

Buffalo 250Gb 3.5 Network Attached Hard Drive. 062/1520
Save £40.00 £99.99
Was £139.99

Freecom 400Gb 3.5in External Hard Drive. 675/1683
£99.99

Buffalo DriveStation 500Gb 3.5in Hard Drive. 675/3533
Save £25.00 £94.99
Was £119.99

I found the Freecom range very good aswell, again no difficulties so far.

__________________
Better than a poke in the eye with a pointy stick any day...