hi all, just want to share my recent purchase here. for those who don't mind smr disk and warranty, i just got my 2nd seagate 8tb from amazon jp for RM631.57 shipped + import fees. last time i bought something there they actually returned the fees to me after a while (i guess not paid to m'sia custom or?). anyway, even with fees (RM 30 +/-) still cheaper than what i can get here. cheapest on shopee is around 999 but not smr i guess.

i bought a same one in 2019 while travelling to JP as it was cheaper there after 10% tax rebate. Been using it and so far so good so I decided to get another one. the whole process was smooth. ordered on 18th and i got the disk on 21st. shipped thru DHL and the packing was very good.

pics: https://imgur.com/a/G08j377

i never bought anything from amazon US so i'm not sure how it's like. do they even ship here directly? if they do then we might have another option.

did a quick search and looks like the cheapest one is RM 719.31 before shipping and fees.

the drive is in the "end of life" stage, backup your data and replace it asap. if you still want to keep it, suggest read only, not recommended to write data to it anymore.

run the smart test from time to time, if the number of error sectors keeps growing, replace the drive immediately.

shops like tmt, all IT, and asashi sell hdds if you need a replacement. they have physical outlet and online stores on shopee and lazada.

i assume you're looking at prices for 1-2 tb? in that case, sata ssds can be cheaper than hdds. for speed, most people have already switched to nvme, and for capacity, larger hdds, typically 4 tb and above, are the go-to choice. if 1-2 tb is enough for you, then now is a good time to buy.

back up your data as soon as possible and stop using the drive for anything important.

128 reallocated sectors means it’s already degrading and could get worse quickly. replace it with a new drive.

appreciate the write-up! i might have to start getting stuff from amazon us next time. i used to grab cheap 8tb smr drives from amazon japan, then moved on to used 16tb ones from taobao. these used drives had been selling at about the same price for years, but since earlier this year, the prices have been climbing steadily — now almost double. any idea why? one possible reason could be that a free nas os from china is gaining traction. i’ve seen quite a few youtubers showcasing it lately: https://www.fnnas.com/ (飞牛fnOS)

depends on how you use your ssd. all storage media are sensitive to heat and vibration, so keep that in mind and take good care of them when you use or carry them around.

the best practice is to follow the 3-2-1 rule: keep 3 copies of your data, stored on 2 different types of media, with 1 copy kept offsite.

if you’re getting a nas, synology is a great option for beginners.

i’d suggest 4tb and above. a single 4tb external hdd fits your rm500 budget and already covers basic backups (pc + external drive). later, if you want better reliability, you can add another drive or move to a nas. a proper nas setup usually starts with 2 × 4tb drives plus a basic synology 2-bay unit (around rm900).