is it better to...

nick_lerwill · 23 Sep 2006 at 23:41

...to buy a enternal hard drive or buy a normal hard drive and and enclosure separetly

wizardmaxx · 23 Sep 2006 at 23:43

Whats on enternal hard drive ?

Id say a purspose built external hard drive is better, but the other route is more flexible overall. As long as u get a descent quality one.

Steve09 · 23 Sep 2006 at 23:45

I have an external HDD, just as it is, no cooler box thing.
Mine is in a kind of protector box which it came in from HP.

nick_lerwill · 23 Sep 2006 at 23:49

if i was to get external hd was looking at western digital mybook

wizardmaxx · 23 Sep 2006 at 23:52

Nothing wrong with those. What warranty u get.

nick_lerwill · 23 Sep 2006 at 23:58

do you have to plug an external hard drive into the mains can you not just run it of usb or anything?

no idea about warranty

wizardmaxx · 24 Sep 2006 at 00:01

Only the 2.5" notebook versions dont need mains power. Usb cannot supply enough power to standard ide and no 12v either.

squiffy · 24 Sep 2006 at 00:07

You'll get better value for money buying a enclosure and hard drive seperatly. It's not hard to fit (I use two 5.25" enclosures) You will need a power supply for 5.25" optical drives and 3.5" hard drives.

Not sure about 2.5" powering off USB.

Steve09 · 24 Sep 2006 at 01:26

My external HDD requires USB to access it, then Mains Supply for the Power to it.

Explicit · 24 Sep 2006 at 01:31

squiffy said:
You'll get better value for money buying a enclosure and hard drive seperatly.

Yup, that's your best bet. You get best of both worlds as you can always get rid of the enclosure if you change your mind.

jimblowscash · 9 Oct 2006 at 09:45

i have built my own, and bought pre made ones, its much less hassle to buy the pre made ones, i have both a 2.5 80GB lacie mobile drive, and several 250 , 500 , desktop drives from them. most bus powerd drives are 2.5 in with spindle speeds of 4200 to 5400rpm to my knowledge there are only two bus powerd hdd.s on the market with 7200 rmp 2.5" drives, both made by lacie, one is the rugged drive, and the other is the little big disc, however thjis one needs fw800 for the powerd bus

Captain Fizz · 9 Oct 2006 at 13:53

2.5" HDD's can be powerd from USB.
Some have the ability to use 2 x USB ports - Only 1 for data, 2 for power.
(Faster access when both plugged in, works fine from one)

All 3.5" or bigger need a PSU.

If you want something which looks flash, is not easily upgradeable and not the best value for money - Get a pre-made enclosure.

If you want the most versatile, but something you need to screw together yourself then get a caddy and HDD of your choice.