External USB3 Desktop Drive With Power Switch

[MoInSTL]

Title pretty much explains what I am looking for. No AC powered desktop drives seem to have an on/off switch anymore. Would prefer 3TB. Want to use it to back up my NAS.

Do these power switches exist anymore?

Edit: I picked up a WD My Book 3TB this afternoon and no power switch. Then I started searching and couldn't find one that does. My old WD has a power button.

 

[C1]

Eliminating the switch cuts costs plus increases reliability a bit as a switch is a point for failure. Besides, your new HDD should have a built-in auto spin-down mode.

Use a power strip if you want an "off" switch as leaving a live external HDD on-line (when you dont want it) slows boot-up because of drive registration process.

 

[MoInSTL]

Would still like an actual answer if anyone knows of one.

Not using something as inelegant as a freaking powerstrip. That's not what I asked anyway.

 

[mgttr]

Title pretty much explains what I am looking for. No AC powered desktop drives seem to have an on/off switch anymore. Would prefer 3TB. Want to use it to back up my NAS.

Do these power switches exist anymore?

It's not cheap, but here's one:

http://www.g-technology.com/products/g-drive-thunderbolt

 

[thecoolnessrune]

If you're willing to roll your own hard drive, any of the generic 3.5" Rosewill / Sabrent fan-based enclosures have a power switch. Also any of the Thermaltake / IcyDock dock-based solutions have power switches. Stick in the drive of your choice and your problem is solved.

One example: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817366031

That being said, as others noted, they're awful. Both "types" of enclosures I mentioned above have reviews for different manufacturer's models mentioning failing power switches. This killed the older MyBook as well and it was the primary reason they got rid of the switch.

If you have an eSATA port on your NAS, your NAS can probably sleep the drive on its own instead of worrying about shutting down / starting up the drive.

 

[razel]

Wow... the advice here is free and MoInSTL completely jerks off C1's wise advice. Even 5 year olds know when to say 'thank you'.

The 1st thing that came to my mind was to use a power strip. But hey, I'm a man. I'm more interested in trying to solve my own problems instead of looking for someone or technology to solve them. If you, MonInSTL, are a girl then I apologize.

 

[MoInSTL]

It's not cheap, but here's one:

http://www.g-technology.com/products/g-drive-thunderbolt

Great job finding one and you're right, they aren't cheap.

 

[MoInSTL]

Wow... the advice here is free and MoInSTL completely jerks off C1's wise advice. Even 5 year olds know when to say 'thank you'.

The 1st thing that came to my mind was to use a power strip. But hey, I'm a man. I'm more interested in trying to solve my own problems instead of looking for someone or technology to solve them. If you, MonInSTL, are a girl then I apologize.

First, apology accepted. Even though I haven't been a "girl" in many years. Second, I'm sure C1 can take care of himself. Third, read my past posts. I try to help out others here, am easy going and quick with thanking folks. Your insults are way overblown. I try to solve my own problems too and that isn't just limited to something men do. That statement pretty much insults every woman here. I haven't bought an external drive in years. I've been using an eSATA drive dock. After searching quite a bit and not finding one, I decided to ask here.

 

[MoInSTL]

If you're willing to roll your own hard drive, any of the generic 3.5" Rosewill / Sabrent fan-based enclosures have a power switch. Also any of the Thermaltake / IcyDock dock-based solutions have power switches. Stick in the drive of your choice and your problem is solved.

One example: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817366031

That being said, as others noted, they're awful. Both "types" of enclosures I mentioned above have reviews for different manufacturer's models mentioning failing power switches. This killed the older MyBook as well and it was the primary reason they got rid of the switch.

If you have an eSATA port on your NAS, your NAS can probably sleep the drive on its own instead of worrying about shutting down / starting up the drive.

I have eSATA only on my desktop. Sadly, a NAS with eSATA was outside my budget. The reason I wanted a USB3 drive is to back the NAS up to it. As you touched on, it would be a plus if the drives hibernated so I wouldn't have to babysit it. I checked Synology's compatibility list and there really isn't a big selection. I have since learned that there are more drives not listed listed that do work but with no hibernation. That's why I ended up with a WD 3TB My Book with no power switch.

Thanks for the link and your thoughts on enclosures. This WD isn't so bad afterall.

 

[AnitaPeterson]

I second the suggestion to buy a bare drive and install it in a third-party enclosure, preferably a reputable one, like Vantec. It makes much more economic sense.

One of the things I learned about external enclosures with power switches is that the best disconnect procedure is to a) "safely remove" the device from the Windows, b) unplug the USB cable from the computer, and only then c) power off the HDD from the switch.

Hope this helps.

 

[MoInSTL]

I second the suggestion to buy a bare drive and install it in a third-party enclosure, preferably a reputable one, like Vantec. It makes much more economic sense.

One of the things I learned about external enclosures with power switches is that the best disconnect procedure is to a) "safely remove" the device from the Windows, b) unplug the USB cable from the computer, and only then c) power off the HDD from the switch.

Hope this helps.

Thanks for the suggestions. I already purchased a WD My Book 3TB desktop drive (has AC power). I want to use it to back up my NAS and have it hibernate. Pretty limited compatibility list to choose from.