Stuck between external drive choices

[N1NJA]

I'm heading off to college in about 6 weeks and I'm trying to get all my tech purchases done now. I've got a macbook pro in the mail and I need an external drive for backups/more than the 250 gigs it has. Problem is, I have a 500 gig internal drive in this computer right now, and it's at 340 gigs filled (although I'm sure I can lose 100-200 gigs or so by removing random crap I have for no reason); and the drive must be from Best Buy since loans are expensive and I have a $120 gift card there. Suggest a better drive for me if you can find one but all I've found so far is these 2:

Western Digital - My Book Essential 1TB External Hard Drive (http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=8475777&productCategoryId=abcat0504003&type=product&id=1185271084278)
1TB (obviously)
USB 2.0 only

Western Digital - My Book Studio 500GB External Hard Drive (http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=8478756&type=product&id=1185267958970)
500GB (obviously, again)
Firewire 400/800 and USB 2.0
Matches laptop :attn:

I can't decide if I'd rather have the 1TB since I'm already in the mid 300GBs, or if the 500GB is better because of firewire 800. The laptop only has 2 USB ports, one of which might be home to my wireless mouse receiver unless it keeps acting up, and it'd be nice to have at least 1 free usb but I'm not sure the price of 500 GB is worth it :confused:

[gimpster123]

go to bestbuy, sell your gift card to someone in line for $100. Stand right in line with them so they know they aren't getting scewed- then take your money and buy a external hdd off of newegg thats twice as large as one from bestbuy.

Actually better yet- buy an enclosure w/ firewire and put the hdd in yourself. Usually cheaper.

[Cant.Touch.This]

Assuming you could sell off that gift card to someone and get the money back. You could use it to purchase this WD drive, a fellow OCF'er recommended to it me here and I have it solely for storage purchases which I believe is what you're aiming for:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136218

and install it into an enclosure that supports over 500GB. There's a post that's mentioned the Antec MX-1 as a great enclosure. The recent updated review from SilentPC (June '08?) notes some increases in fan noise. Here's the thread:

http://www.ocforums.com/showthread.php?t=570180

it might seem slightly on the larger side if you frequently travel around with it. I can't find the one that features USB only, but you'll save quite a few without having a use for the eSATA (does the MBP have an eSATA port?).

However, I can understand if you do wish to purchase one from BestBuy to use that gift card, I'd go for the 1TB for the price... you'll spend around $70 only with the additional $60 instant-savings.