do external HDDs work with linux?
 

I'm planning to buy one of these HDDs...

1) do they work with linux without compromising with any feature?
2) I've got USB 2.0 port on my laptop...will USB 3.0 supporting HDDs function well?

USB 3 drives should work with USB 2. I have eSATA on my laptop. It's faster then the internal drive.

Yes, they work with linux. Ive got a maxtor external HD and it works fine. Of course the software that comes with them is for windows. Depending on your distro, you just need to enable hotplugging or something like that.

so, i should go with a USB 3.0 drive? i mean...is there any significant loss of speed of any other issue with that?
what about the software? do they run with fedora?

Just about any of the "mainstream" Linux distros will automatically mount a USB drive. If the computer has USB 2, then I doubt if there is any benefit from getting a USB-3 drive but---as already stated--it should work fine.
With the file manager open, hook up the external drive and turn it on---in a few seconds, it should appear in the file manager.

I do not believe that you will get any advantage out of a USB-3 device unless your motherboard supports USB-3 or you have otherwise installed a USB-3 card (adapter) in the computer.

Wikipedia USB-3.0.

The advantage for you in getting USB 3 drives will be to future proof your purchase. Your next laptop may support USB3.

I wouldnt pay any extra for a USB 3.0 drive over USB 2.0 now. Hdd prices are still very inflated, over the next year to 18 months prices will drop a fair bit.