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urban · Apr 28, 2005, 12:47 PM

Hello, my powerbook HDD is lacking space so I want to get an external HDD. Since external HDD can be expensive, i was considering buying an internal HDD in a HDD enclosure. Here's my question: other than the fact that an external HDD may look nicer, free of power adapter, and work out of the box, are there other advantages of buying an external HDD over an internal drive in an enclosure?
Also, what combo of internal HDD and enclosure would you recommend?
what external HDD would you recommend?
I don't have a big budget. $200US is what I can afford.

THanks

analogika · Apr 28, 2005, 12:57 PM

The hard drives used externally and internally are *exactly* the same thing.

An external hard drive is nothing but an internal hard drive in an enclosure.

There are two different hard drive sizes, though: regular desktop (3.5-inch) and laptop (2.5-inch).

3.5" drives will require an additional power supply, while 2.5" drives can be powered via the Firewire cable.
Maybe that's the difference you're talking about.

nickw311 · Apr 28, 2005, 01:05 PM

I am considering getting one of the Lacie Porsche designed drives and also the MiniMate USB/FW Hub/HD
http://www.macmall.com/macmall/shop/...sp?dpno=269053
http://www.macmall.com/macmall/shop/...pno~551060.asp

azt33 · Apr 28, 2005, 01:20 PM

I just got a seperate enclosure and a 200GB WD HDD, my local PC-guy put in nicely. I haven't used it yet, but the advantage is that you can pick your own enclosure. I got the one with USB2.0, FW400 and FW800, and saved some bucks. It cost me �150 total, which is quite cheap when you compare it to e.g. LaCie.

urban · Apr 28, 2005, 08:59 PM

I've looked at some inclosures sold at local computer stores. They support USB and FW. However, on the website they don't mention specifically if they support Mac. How do I know if these enclosures support OSX? I highly doubt the employees at these computer stores know.

nickw311 · Apr 28, 2005, 09:41 PM

they are all the same.... there isnt really any software associated with it as far as know....It should recognize it as an external USB or FW storage device.

I dont think you will have any problems whatsoever.

urban · Apr 29, 2005, 06:35 PM

Just an update to this occasion. I bought a Western Digital HDD 120GB with a slim USB2.0/Firewire Enclosure all for a cost of $150US. I am very happy

mdc · Apr 29, 2005, 07:44 PM

i was at the apple store today and i bought a firewire 800, 400 & usb 2 160gig lacie drive.

very nice. now i need some nice backup software. any recommendations?

kentuckyfried · Apr 29, 2005, 07:53 PM

it doesn't matter what case you buy...the connection between the case and the computer is all that counts. The mac sees is it is a firewire or usb cable automatically.

Shawn, is that you?

macanon · May 2, 2005, 02:03 AM

I enjoy external cases quite a bit. The dual or quad firewire cases make it very easy to have a RAID storage connected via firewire. They sell on eBay quite a bit, I like that they are nice and portable as well as being able to have such capacity.

spike_va · May 2, 2005, 03:18 PM

i have a tibook with only a firewire400 port. As far as transfer rates, is it better to upgrade from a 4200rpm to a 5400rpm w/ 16mb cache, or put my WD 120 7200 rpm w/ 8mcache into an enclosure through firewire?

motti · Aug 21, 2005, 04:55 PM

Originally Posted by nickw311

I am considering getting one of the Lacie Porsche designed drives and also the MiniMate USB/FW Hub/HD
http://www.macmall.com/macmall/shop/...sp?dpno=269053
http://www.macmall.com/macmall/shop/...pno~551060.asp

Hi nickw311, did you buy the micromate? The thing is, LaCie builds a similar case for under the mac mini, but lacks some of the connections the micromate offers, but at a more reasonable price.

--motti

Cold Warrior · Aug 21, 2005, 07:06 PM

whoa, resurrected after 4 months.