Looking for Quiet External HD...

I use a Lacie (link below). It is fanless, and so pretty quiet, though there's some chatter when I first retrieve music, esp. if it has been idle for a while. It is more attractive than most, if your reason for quiet is that you want to keep it with your kit. Also offered in RAID configurations. John

http://www.amazon.com/LaCie-FireWire800-FireWire400-External-301442U/dp/B001KFH6K6/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1295871483&sr=8-3

This Seagate drive was reviewed and recommended as a very quiet drive. I almost bought one, but it requires a USB>Firewire 800 adapter and the adapter has received mixed reviews from owners, so I didn't proceed.

You could try buying you own enclosure and drive of choice. Also, SATA drives have an Acoustic Management option that is usually "performance" mode as shipped, not the quietest that drive can do. I don't know if Windoze (or MAC) gives you the ability to change it or not with "as shipped" software. I've never tried it except on Linux (hdparm) or in a device driver.

I love my Phantom Green Drive. It does have a fan but you wont hear it unless its right next to you. Many times I've looked at it for the green light just to see if it's on. Built like a tank too!
Heard only bad reports on Seagate.