2.5" Enclosure

[labrat25]

Does anybody know of a good 2.5" external enclosure (preferably w/ 1394 and USB)

The catch is that I want one that draws it's power from the same port it's using for data...

all the drives I saw on newegg either draw their power from a second USB port or the ps/2 port, which isn't an option really on my laptop

thanks

 

[acemcmac]

does it have to be an enclosure or would it be ok if it already had a drive in it?

 

[labrat25]

i'd prefer an enclosure as I already have a 10gig 2.5" drive laying around

 

[Zepper]

Computer Geeks has this mem card reader/NB drive housing combo (find it in the digicam section):
"Digital photographers will love this 6-in-1 card reader/writer portable storage device. The X's Drive II features an USB 2.0 interface and data transfer rates up to 480Mbps! With support for CompactFlash cards, Smart Media, Memory Stick, Memory Stick Pro, Secure Digital, MultiMedia Cards and IBM Microdrive this device will come in handy for transferring data! The built-in LCD provides status indicators for battery life and file transfers. These won't last long so get one today."
Requires you to add a notebook drive of your own. Runs on rechargable battery.
. You can also get a 2.5 to 3.5" drive adapter there which will allow you to partition/format the notebook drive on a standard system (look in the Hard Drives section under acc'ys).

OTOH, this other one may be better for you - also from the Geeks (in the Case/PS section):
"Today's busy world means you need access to your data everywhere you go. But external drive cases for each of your devices can be a pain! Now you can take TOTAL control of the data you need anywhere - anytime! This innovative IDE converter kit provides a way for you to carry a 2.5-inch hard drive (cool), AND connect to ANY IDE device to a USB 2.0 port (very cool), AND a nifty adapter to turn a 44-pin notebook IDE interface into a standard 40-pin IDE interface (very, very cool)!! Use it at a desktop computer then take it on the road with you. Sharing data is now easier with this handy kit!"

OTTH, you could use the 2 to 3" adapter I mentioned at the end of the first paragraph to adapt your HD to any of the standard 3.5" USB/FW enclosures (in the Case/PS section) and have enough room left inside to rig your own rechargable battery pack for power. 4 to 6 Good 2000mAH NiMH AAs should do it - up to you to determine the optimum no. You shoud only need 5V (4.8 is close enough) for the interface and the NB drive - the 12V wall wart is needed to power a 3.5" drive motor so you don't need that much as NB drives use only 5V... Of course, it won't hurt to use the wall wart to provide the power if it's convenient.
..bh.

Linkage: Compgeeks

 

[GnomeCop]

laptop USB ports rarely are powerful enough to drive a 2.5" HD

I have a Sarotech CutieDX usb2/1394 enclosure and it is really high quality enclosure. It can draw power from a single USB port of a desktop computer, but on a notebook it needs to draw power from 2 usb ports.

I doubt you will find a an enclosure or drive that can be powered from a single low poer usb port, let alone firewire. Firewireports on most notebooks are always the 4 pin mini variety which are NOT powered at all.

Dektop 6 pin firewire ports are powered and work fine though.

 

[labrat25]

i'm not so much worried about the laptop 1394 end...

i'd just like to use it to transfer files from my laptop to my desktop, and i'd rather not draw through a ps/2 port as my laptop doesn't even have one

i'd prefer one that can draw through the data port or has a power brick

 

[Zepper]

Well then, my earlier post just about covers the field...
.bh.

 

[labrat25]

GnomeCop What's the difference between the DX and EX?

Zepper thanks. slowly trying to figure out what will work for my system

 

[corkyg]

I am currently using a FireExpress 250SDX by Compucable. Picked it up at Fry's one day - had both Firewire and USB 2 - draws power from the source - either F/W or USB.

 

[GnomeCop]

I think the EX is just a screw-less version of the DX. functionality should remain the same. They are both among the best enclosures, just kind of hard to find them

 

[addragyn]

USB bus powered drives are a crap shoot. I would not trust one.

Those Cuties are nice but they're pricey compared to what's come out.

I'm gonna grab one of these combo enclosures.

http://meritline.com/usb2-ieee1394-enclosure-hard-drive-external-2-5.html

Firewire case w/ battery:
http://www.coolgear.com/productdetails1.cfm?sku=AMS25K&cats=

USB bus powered:
http://store.yahoo.com/store4pc/usb20exlap25.html
http://store.yahoo.com/outletpc/c0173.html

 

[labrat25]

i ordered a Bytecc from newegg.com, it seemed to be reviewed well... if not I'll RMA it

click me!

 

[Zepper]

Whatya gonna do when/if the USB port doesn't have enough oomph to power it???
.bh.