[Preciousss]

Finally about to upgrade my G4 Titanium PowerBook to a Intel Core2Duo MacBook Pro.

I've read through the threads here (and other places) and have decided on the following for an external hard drive (gonna build my own): Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 - 500GB

Regarding the enclosure, I've noted the following:

• Chipset - Oxford is good (albeit more $)
• Firewire 400 (or 800) over USB (which have more problems with Macs? True?)
• Aluminum case, or something that dissipates heat well, is recommended
• Pay attention to PATA vs. SATA vs. eSATA
• Make sure the physical size is the same as the HD (3.5" in this case)
• Intel compatibility?

As I'm getting more familiar with what to look for, I'm noticing that the chipset and Intel compatibility are often not mentioned in the specs of enclosures I'm finding. This, for example: Aluminum Initio 1430L Firewire 400 +USB 2.0 (nevermind that it's PATA and the HD I picked is SATA ).

Perhaps it's because this enclosure came out before Apple switched to Intel, but I'm thinking this would be a big gotcha for these older enclosures. Should I be worried about this?

This enclosure was recommended on another thread: Firewire 800/400 & USB eSATA aluminum case. Definitely like the look of it (it has an Oxford chipset too) and would like something with only Firewire (cheaper) if I can get it. BUT! The specs specifically call out PowerPC compatibility.

Again, do I need to look for something that mentions Mac-Intel compatibility? Or does being Windows-compatible assume it will play nice with Intel?

Last enclosure I'm leaning towards, tho' it's kinds fugly: Macally

And if you have a reliable vendor to recommend for both the enclosure and HD, please include that in your replies. Haven't gotten around to the price comparisons yet. Right now, NewEgg is looking like the place for the Seagate and Cooldrives.com for the enclosure (haven't looked for it anywhere else). maybe OWC or a trip to Fry's IRL.

Appreciate any advice you can give. This is the only decision holding me up from upgrading my laptop, so I'm eager to get this squared away. Thanks!

[CharlesS]

Originally Posted by Preciousss 

Finally about to upgrade my G4 Titanium PowerBook to a Intel Core2Duo MacBook Pro.

I've read through the threads here (and other places) and have decided on the following for an external hard drive (gonna build my own): Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 - 500GB

Looks great.

As I'm getting more familiar with what to look for, I'm noticing that the chipset and Intel compatibility are often not mentioned in the specs of enclosures I'm finding. This, for example: Aluminum Initio 1430L Firewire 400 +USB 2.0 (nevermind that it's PATA and the HD I picked is SATA ).

My guess is that one would be using the Initio chipset, if it comes from Initio.

Usually, though, if they don't list the chipset in the specs, that's a sign that you should stay away as they could be using some utter crap like the Prolific chipset.

This enclosure was recommended on another thread: Firewire 800/400 & USB eSATA aluminum case. Definitely like the look of it (it has an Oxford chipset too) and would like something with only Firewire (cheaper) if I can get it. BUT! The specs specifically call out PowerPC compatibility.

I don't think there's anything special about the Intel Macs that would break hard drive enclosures, so I don't think you really need to worry about this. Particularly in this case, since you know what chipset it's using. The Oxford chipset is regarded as the finest around - it's gonna work with Intel Macs. Aside from the Firewire and USB chipsets, all an enclosure is is a chunk of aluminum.

Last enclosure I'm leaning towards, tho' it's kinds fugly: Macally

That enclosure appears to be PATA. You will be in for quite a disappointment if you try to put your SATA drive in there.

[Aegis]

You mentioned PATA vs SATA vs eSATA. SATA & PATA are internal connections but eSATA is an external connection (like USB or Firewire).

I second the Seagate HD.
As for enclosures, I usually hear good things about OWC and MacAlly enclosures. I have 2 Acomdata enclosures I've been using for a while and they run well.

Sadly, at this point FW≠inexpensive. eSATA is the fastest and inexpensive, but no Macs come with eSATA ports yet.