Running programs off ext. HDD

[UsernameTaken]

I read somewhere a couple months ago that you can run programs (like a BitTorrent client) off an external hard drive. I'm pretty sure it was a Network Attached Storage drive.

I want to know if you can do this with any NAS or is it specific make/model? I figure you'd need a processor to run programs so it doesn't really make sense to me.

I ask this because when I go to college I will get a laptop. I plan on getting a minimalist laptop and this would be perfect with one of these Network Attached Storage/Bit Torrent hard drives. Then I could keep my laptop free of clutter and I wouldn't need a huge hard drive in it, and I could also run torrents while I'm in class.

 

[PC eye]

The 160gb sata drives they put into newer models are not any larger then the typical 80gb ide seen. The drives in laptops still remain 2 1/2" despite capacity. Most programs need to create registy keys on the OS drive that points to the exact location on the drive where the installation folder is created.

With external usb drives or drive adapters the drive often has to be reinstalled by Windows when reconnected which can cause problems. Programs that are self contained in one folder on the other hand simply would need a desktop shortcut created when going to use them. The main advantage wth having an external drive for travel is the ability to backup and transfer files from the laptop to your desktop at home by only having to carry the drive around.

 

[UsernameTaken]

The 160gb sata drives they put into newer models are not any larger then the typical 80gb ide seen. The drives in laptops still remain 2 1/2" despite capacity.

I meant huge capacity. I should have been more clear. What I was getting at is that it would save money because the 2.5" HDDs are very expensive and for school all that is needed is the basics like OpenOffice really, so a 40GB in the laptop would do fine. Then I could spend my money getting more/bigger external drives.

Most programs need to create registy keys on the OS drive that points to the exact location on the drive where the installation folder is created.

With external usb drives or drive adapters the drive often has to be reinstalled by Windows when reconnected which can cause problems. Programs that are self contained in one folder on the other hand simply would need a desktop shortcut created when going to use them. The main advantage wth having an external drive for travel is the ability to backup and transfer files from the laptop to your desktop at home by only having to carry the drive around.

My post was hurried and not thorough. But I hope this will explain more. I found the device I was talking about.

ADS Tech NAS Drive Kit featuring "P2P BitTorrent Client." My idea is this: have the laptop with me for class and at home have a docking station with screen, mouse, and keyboard, and have this NAS Drive Kit thing. Could I have this and run my torrents purely off the NAS drive kit or would it only work when my laptop is connected? I want to be able to run torrents while it is not connected to any computer. This would let me continue the torrents when I'm in class, and eliminate the need for a desktop PC just for torrents, browsing, etcetera.

I also saw other products which may or may not be essentially the same thing just different brands and I believe a few included hard drives. They were called: Kuro Box, LinkStation, and QNap Turbo Station TS-101/201.

I'm really confused and please let me know if I am confusing you as well

 

[PC eye]

The drive kit points out installing an internal not using an external drive. Loading programs with a usb drive or drive in a usb adapter doesn't always work out too well. When using custom installations a second, third(usually sata) internal drive will see that drive remain connected. The cpu, video card, sound source, main board, and memory would be provided by the laptop. But the flash type drive is more suitable for loading from usb.