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You are here: MacNN Forums > Hardware - Troubleshooting and Discussion > Consumer Hardware & Components > Nice Looking 3.5" Firewire Enclosure ?

Nice Looking 3.5" Firewire Enclosure ?
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Mac Elite
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Oct 16, 2003, 09:31 PM
 
Does anyone know of a nice looking 3.5" HD firewire enclosure [that's relatively cheap? under $80] ?

Maybe something along the lines of the googie enclosures?

I can't seem to find a nice looking enclosure?

they all seem a bit on the ugly side
     
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Oct 17, 2003, 02:42 AM
 
Not quite as nice as the Googie's is the LaCie D2 enclosure. The cheapest way of getting one is to look in their clearence center. I bought 48X CD writer for $69, pulled out the drive, sealed the front with a $0.50 PC brushed aluminum drive cover and mounted the drive to a $2 carrier. The enclosure has the benefit of being fanless, and all the metal disipates any heat.

If you find anything better, let me know.
     
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Oct 17, 2003, 02:42 AM
 
I'm quite partial to the IceCube enclosure.

http://fwdepot.com/thestore/product_...roducts_id/307

(Link is to USB 2.0/Firewire version for US$96; I got my Firewire-only one years ago for about $70 - shop around)

If you're looking for a complete solution including the hard drive, the LaCie D2 aluminum cases are gorgeous and killer.

-s*
     
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Oct 17, 2003, 02:50 AM
 
For what it's worth, I've got the FW800/USB2 version of the IceCube pictured about, and it's great. Noise is low, though it still makes it's presence known, and with a 7200rpm drive it doesn't get too hot. There is no active cooling though, so if you're thinking of sticking a 10K rpm drive in there, forget it.

Oh, and one if you buy one of these things, mae sure you have a glob of Blue-Tac handy - the little blue light on the front of the unit is REALLY bright - a blob of Blue-Tac covers it up nicely
     
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Oct 17, 2003, 09:20 AM
 
We have this one from owc

small, looks good, portable, reliable.
     
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Oct 17, 2003, 12:47 PM
 
The IceCube is attractive in a utilitarian/industrial sort of way. It has a nice blue light, it's as compact as they come, and the feet are flexible and inobtrusive. I have two of them from OWC, and they just lowered the price below $80.

http://eshop.macsales.com/Catalog_It...em=OWCMEFWATA6

The LaCie is easily the most elegant, but it's expensive.
     
badtz  (op)
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Oct 17, 2003, 02:54 PM
 
Originally posted by nica:
We have this one from owc

small, looks good, portable, reliable.
very nice! do they sell this w/out a HD?

also, can you put a 7200rpm drive in there?



CORRECTION :: *Nevermind, that enclosure is for a 2.5" HD*

     
badtz  (op)
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Oct 17, 2003, 10:15 PM
 
Originally posted by crucial:
Not quite as nice as the Googie's is the LaCie D2 enclosure. The cheapest way of getting one is to look in their clearence center. I bought 48X CD writer for $69, pulled out the drive, sealed the front with a $0.50 PC brushed aluminum drive cover and mounted the drive to a $2 carrier. The enclosure has the benefit of being fanless, and all the metal disipates any heat.

If you find anything better, let me know.
that IS a nice case!!!

Why don't they sell it w/out a HD? :X

I will have to look into this one

thanks!
     
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Oct 17, 2003, 10:15 PM
 
Originally posted by badtz:
very nice! do they sell this w/out a HD?

also, can you put a 7200rpm drive in there?



CORRECTION :: *Nevermind, that enclosure is for a 2.5" HD*

That one's for a 2.5", but the one I linked to is for a 3.5 of any capacity. Ditto for the one Spheric linked to.
     
badtz  (op)
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Oct 17, 2003, 10:28 PM
 
Originally posted by crucial:
Not quite as nice as the Googie's is the LaCie D2 enclosure. The cheapest way of getting one is to look in their clearence center. I bought 48X CD writer for $69, pulled out the drive, sealed the front with a $0.50 PC brushed aluminum drive cover and mounted the drive to a $2 carrier. The enclosure has the benefit of being fanless, and all the metal disipates any heat.

If you find anything better, let me know.
You have a Private Message
     
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Oct 18, 2003, 03:42 AM
 
Do you like Googie's? Check out http://www.coolmaxusa.com/

I just bought the 2.5" USB2.0 for $25.

I saw the 3.5" at Fry's Electronics for $60 I believe.
     
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Oct 18, 2003, 04:02 AM
 
What you need is a drive with neon in it ... to match your lowrider:
     
badtz  (op)
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Oct 18, 2003, 04:50 AM
 
Originally posted by iDORK:
Do you like Googie's? Check out http://www.coolmaxusa.com/

I just bought the 2.5" USB2.0 for $25.

I saw the 3.5" at Fry's Electronics for $60 I believe.
funny you mention that, because that's the current enclosure I'm using

I was planning on using this, if there's not a better [nicer looking] alternative [not that the coolmax isn't nice looking. It actually is nice for the price.]

thanks for the help though
     
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Oct 18, 2003, 02:52 PM
 
Originally posted by badtz:
funny you mention that, because that's the current enclosure I'm using

I was planning on using this, if there's not a better [nicer looking] alternative [not that the coolmax isn't nice looking. It actually is nice for the price.]

thanks for the help though
Yeah, so far the CoolMax is the only enclosure that I've seen and liked. FireExpress and Cutie DX enclosures are nice but they are expensive.

Do you have the 3.5" HDD-337 series?
     
badtz  (op)
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Oct 18, 2003, 03:59 PM
 
actually, i had the coolmax 309 friewire enclosure. I haven't seen the 337 until now [that u menitoned it]

does not look bad @ all!

have you used this one? How is it? Photos?

     
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Oct 18, 2003, 11:58 PM
 
When I was in the market to get a firewire enclosure, CoolMax didn't support large capacity drives yet so went with the 3.5" Speedzter3 USB/Firewire combo. It's a nice case and I'm very happy with it. One of the smallest and quietest drives out there but not under your $80 limit.

That coolmax HD-337 looks awesome! The colors match my TiBook and the price is right at $51.00.




Slick shoes?!! Are you crazy?!!
     
badtz  (op)
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Oct 19, 2003, 03:41 AM
 
I'm thinking that it's the same as the coolmax that I have, and only supports up to 200GB [can't find any info. about the HD-337 though] ......

?? hard to find info. on this enclosure. even on coolmax website
     
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Nov 2, 2003, 01:44 PM
 
K, well i've been reading and such..and I have a question, I', thinking to buy the IceCube. So would any 3.5 hard drive work. or a specific type of 3.5 HD.??yeah.. like say a

SEAGATE BARRACUDA 7200.7 80GB HD ATA/100 8.5MS 7200 OEM

??????hum.....am i on the right track????

thanks guys
Hey, if you were a hotdog and you were starving would you eat yourself????? I know I would, first i'd smuther myself with brown mustard and relish, i'd be so delecious. So would ya....?
~iBook 800~~640mb~~30GB~~12'~~OS X 10.2.4~
     
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Nov 2, 2003, 02:07 PM
 
Originally posted by Chewn:
K, well i've been reading and such..and I have a question, I', thinking to buy the IceCube. So would any 3.5 hard drive work. or a specific type of 3.5 HD.??yeah.. like say a

SEAGATE BARRACUDA 7200.7 80GB HD ATA/100 8.5MS 7200 OEM

??????hum.....am i on the right track????

thanks guys
Yes, the IceCube should support that drive. ATA is an industry standard.
     
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Nov 2, 2003, 02:36 PM
 
Originally posted by + spiral +:
What you need is a drive with neon in it ... to match your lowrider:
Mine works great!
     
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Nov 3, 2003, 12:11 AM
 
Thats awesome guys tanks
Hey, if you were a hotdog and you were starving would you eat yourself????? I know I would, first i'd smuther myself with brown mustard and relish, i'd be so delecious. So would ya....?
~iBook 800~~640mb~~30GB~~12'~~OS X 10.2.4~
     
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Nov 3, 2003, 02:07 AM
 
Ok, i actully got another question, i have a iBook v. 2.2 (got its last nov.) It has firewire 400 so would the IceCube support it? and i don't think i have usb 2...i don't know what type of usb i have.
Hey, if you were a hotdog and you were starving would you eat yourself????? I know I would, first i'd smuther myself with brown mustard and relish, i'd be so delecious. So would ya....?
~iBook 800~~640mb~~30GB~~12'~~OS X 10.2.4~
     
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Nov 3, 2003, 02:28 AM
 
Yes chewin, the IceCube would definitely work with the firewire port on your iBook. The only iBooks that have USB 2.0 built-in are the newest G4 models. You're iBook has the slower USB 1.1.

Slick shoes?!! Are you crazy?!!
     
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Nov 3, 2003, 12:53 PM
 
That coolmax HD-337 looks awesome! The colors match my TiBook and the price is right at $51.00.
I couldn't find it for sale online. Anyone know where to buy it?

Alex
     
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Nov 3, 2003, 12:54 PM
 
That coolmax HD-337 looks awesome! The colors match my TiBook and the price is right at $51.00.
I agree, this HD-337 does look cool, but I couldn't find it for sale online. Anyone know where to buy it?

Alex
     
badtz  (op)
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Nov 3, 2003, 09:14 PM
 
I just bought four of the HD-337 FW enclosures!

When I get home, I'll try and post up some photos of them!

They look nice for the price that's for sure!
     
kjb
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Nov 3, 2003, 10:54 PM
 
Originally posted by aabbas:
I agree, this HD-337 does look cool, but I couldn't find it for sale online. Anyone know where to buy it?

Alex
I bought one from newegg a while back, but I can't seem to find it again on their website.

I love the enclosure- it matches my MDD G4 just perfectly. The only thing I wish it had was an on/off switch. I hate having to reach around the back to unplug the thing.

Kevin
     
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Nov 3, 2003, 11:15 PM
 
Ateck.com has them for sale but unfortunately they are out of stock right now.

Badtz where did you buy your enclosures?

Slick shoes?!! Are you crazy?!!
     
badtz  (op)
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Nov 4, 2003, 12:51 AM
 
I meant "I got" the enclosures, not I "bought"

I bought it off a retailer in Canada who gave me a VERY good deal on it.

Took about 7 days to get here though.

If you'd like more info. send a PM and I'll pass his email address

I have the drive up and running. VERY nice drive for the price! And the coloring is great.

It doesn't have an on/off switch, but I don't think I'll bother me. We'll see. ...
     
   
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