I have an IBM Thinkpad T43p laptop and microsoft windows xp. I don't know much about computers and I am hoping for some advice on purchasing a portable external or internal hardrive(w/ a case for it also). Specific brands for pc and I need one to connect through a USB port. The current laptop was given by college(part of tuition) and its been 2 years and they will swap for a better one in the beginning of Fall 2007 so I have a few months to save all my stuff. And reformat so I don't get fined, hopefully.

EDIT: Typo in Topic title, I meant External but I'm sure you guys figured it was anyways.

I like the Western Digital Passport drives for external use with a laptop. Doesn't come with a case tho'. I carry mine in my shirt pocket while at work.

Is that an internal hardrive? Since you mention it doesn't come with a case. Is it in stores in either both external or internal? I understand for internals I have to buy a case to fit it.

It's an external drive and comes with a USB cable so you just plug it in and it works. An internal drive will require that you buy a "caddy" to hook the drive up externally. The case I was referring to was a cover to protect the plastic casing from getting scratched up.