[RndTbl] External hard drives for Linux

[schwartz]

I'm thinking of buying an external USB hard drive for my Linux desktop.
I'm concerned that these USB drives might be non-generic, somehow dependent
on XP/Vesta or have fixed file systems ( NTFS or FAT36 ) or just slow.
 Are any of the above an issue, or do they do a reasonable job.
I just want to use one for storage, not to run an OS on.
Best Buy has a SimpleTech 1 TB for $150. 
Future Shop has Comstar One-touch 1 TB for $150.
 I don't think my BIOS can handle 1 TB drives but for that price
 I'm temped anyway.
Any information would be most appreciated.