Looking for USB 2.0 HDD enclosure

[GHoosdum]

I'm looking for a good external enclosure for an IDE hard drive. The drive that I'd be using is an 80GB Maxtor, 2MB cache 7200 RPM; I'm trying to find a USB 2.0 enclosure that has a decent price and allows the HDD to stay cool enough that it won't be fried. Suggestions?

[Spinner]

This looks alright:

http://www.dabs.com/uk/productView.htm?quicklinx=2C9T

[DanG]

I have 2 each of 2 different models from Macally.
I have the http://www.macally.com/spec/usb/storage_device/enclosure35.html
and the http://www.macally.com/spec/usb/storage_device/ca805u2.html
The first one is a 3.5" all aluminum with lots of vents, and the drive in there does get warm, but not any more so than it would in a system. Those are holding my 250GB western digital SE drives.
The second one is a 5.25" plastic case that will take either a CD drive or a hard drive. It has a 40mm fan on the back that pulls air out of the case. The extra bonus with the larger one is that it uses a regular PC power cord, and does not need any adapters like the smaller one. They both use a regular(not mini) usb 2 cable that they come with. On pure looks the aluminum one wins hands down because of the aluminum finish and the stand they come with to hold them on the side, and because the light is blue when powered on and flashes red when in use giving you this really cool flashing light show.
They should both be about the same price, and I know that newegg carries them. They both are plug and play in win xp, and using windows 98 would be the only time you would need the driver.

[shwaip]

search ebay for "usb enclosure"

[Sputnik]

also try here: http://www.dealsonic.com/exen.html

they have a bunch of the, so take a look around

[Leonardo]

I'm running the system below.
- IEEE 1394 Firewire Interface
- USB 2.0 Interface (backwards compatible with USB 1)
- Good quality construction and craftsmanship -- brushed aluminum housing (front and back plates); large, good quality thumbscrews.
- LED indicators for disk activity. LED panels under mesh that alternate between red, green, blue, and yellow.
- 80pin internal hard drive connector

Instruction manual, enclosure, hardware, USB 2.0 cable, IEEE 1394 cable, and clear plastic stand were included with CompUSA's package.

I read in a review that the cooling isn't as good if the enclosure in the horizontal postion. In the vertical, it well not get above warm even after two hours of heavy duty use (mulitple backups followed by defragging).

Firewire support is nice, but not that much faster than USB2.

[shwaip]

firewire tops out @ 400 Mbps, usb2.0 480 Mbps

[Gargoyle]

I'm using the exact same thing as Leo and I love it. I recommend it heartily. It's also one of the most affordable units on Newegg.

Other reviewers on Newegg have mentioned that although USB 2.0 has a higher theoretical speed, in practice the firewire has performed better. I haven't tested that myself. I've actually only used mine on firewire and USB 1.1 connections so far.

[Leonardo]

In my experience, the firewire speed was about 5-10% faster than the USB2.0 speed. USB1 speed was completely pathetic. ;D
It's also one of the most affordable units on Newegg. Mine was $29.95 at CompUSA after $10 mail-in rebate. During operation, the lighted LED panels under the mesh surfaces are rather fun to watch.

[GHoosdum]

Thanks guys... I've seen that one on Newegg too. At your recommendations, I think I'll get one of those 'metal gear boxes.'

[Leonardo]

I think you're making good choice. It's a very good value, works great, and looks good. Just remember, there are reports that it's cooling properties are greatly diminished if you use it in the horizontal position. And to say again, it's cooling performance is excellent in the upright position.