good 2.5 inch hdd enclosure that doesn't require ext. power

[kevinf2090]

are there any 2.5 inch hdd enclosures that are high quality and doesn't require separate power? i also don't want the models that require two USB ports; one for data and one for power. what are your recommendations? i would prefer as cheap as possible. i want to try to get it for less then $30

 

[Gigantopithecus]

are there any 2.5 inch hdd enclosures that are high quality and doesn't require separate power? i also don't want the models that require two USB ports; one for data and one for power. what are your recommendations? i would prefer as cheap as possible. i want to try to get it for less then $30

Whether the drive requires two ports for power is as much a factor of the drive itself and the power output of the USB port as it is the enclosure. I've been buying these lately & I am pleased with them.

 

[kevinf2090]

haha that's the one i tried first before posting but it didn't work until i used a two head usb port for extra power. so i guess the drive uses more power then the USB can supply? or is it the USB port.

 

[thescreensavers]

Grab a 2.5 portable HD, and then take it apart

 

[tcsenter]

Right, look for hard drives that do not require more than 600mA (0.6A) for +5.0V power. Should be printed on the drive label. If not, then the manufacturer spec sheets. A lot of laptop hard drives need more than 0.6A on +5.0V.

USB spec limits port current to 500mA (0.5A) but I've found that most implementations can handle a tad more (but not a lot more), hence the reason I noted a limit of 0.6A.

 

[thedosbox]

i also don't want the models that require two USB ports; one for data and one for power.

Why? If the issue is that you only have one USB port, there are adapters that will provide USB power from a wall socket.

 

[kevinf2090]

i just looked at the hard drive and it says .451 A so it should work without extra usb or power right?

well i don't want to carry an extra power adapter with me either. i guess if i have to use 2 usb ports then i will do it. but i don't get why the wd passport that i bought doesn't need an extra usb port but the enclosure that i tried needed it.

 

[CurseTheSky]

I've been impressed with the Accomodata Tango series. I've also purchased a number of different 2.5" 5400 RPM hard drives, and none of them have required more than a USB port for power. In case they do require more, the enclosure comes with a USB Y-cable, which may draw power from two USB ports (I haven't confirmed this).

 

[mfenn]

i just looked at the hard drive and it says .451 A so it should work without extra usb or power right?

well i don't want to carry an extra power adapter with me either. i guess if i have to use 2 usb ports then i will do it. but i don't get why the wd passport that i bought doesn't need an extra usb port but the enclosure that i tried needed it.

Yes.

The reason that a WD passport doesn't require extra power is that the drive was specifically spec'ed to use less than 500mA. Some random drive that was meant to be used internally likely wasn't designed with that restriction in mind.

 

[corkyg]

Your comment about carrying suggest you are talking about a laptop. If so, extra power is almost always required for laptops. When I travel and take my Passport, or FreeAgent Go, the Y cable adds nothing signifiant. With limited USB ports, get a small 4-port hub and don't worry about it.

Many laptops also have a PCMCIA slot or Express card slot. A good thing there is a small eSATA card, and that can drive a 2.5-in eSATA case & drive easily. Like this:

Connect to this:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817392009

Much faster than USB!

 

[gorobei]

no experience on enclosures, but i have 4 ext portable drives. 2x buffalo, 1xtoshiba, 1x hitachi.

typically the toshiba and WD(inside the buffalo) 5400 2.5 drives can stay under the single cable .5a limit with no problem on desktop or notebook. The hitachi seems to disconnect and reconnect every couple of hours which might be a power issue, (need to test with the Y cable)

i read that Toshiba tends to design their drives power requirements with their own notebook line in mind. So they might be your best bet as far as picking a drive.

 

[BTRY B 529th FA BN]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-015-_-Product

 

[metalmania]

The answer is NO. No 100% working guarantee.

Even if the drive is supposed to have less than 500 mA requirement, you can still have problem with the mainboard USB ports.

My 120G WD Passport works on most machines but failed at one desktop, my office Dell Precision desktops have the worst USB ports ever. Some USB flash drives cannot be recognized, I have to use a powered USB hub on Precision.

 

[MWink]

Just wanted to note that you have a lot better chances of it working if you use a shorter USB cable. My WD Passport 120GB is hit or miss with my 3ft cable but always seems to work with my 1ft cable.

 

[Absolution75]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817392016

USB & can use USB power to power the HD in eSATA mode.

Also has support for a power adapter, but I've never needed it.

Had mine for over 2 years and haven't had any significant problems with it (USB or eSATA).

Aluminum case, mine gets slightly warm - draws heat away from the HD. Comes with a pretty decent case too.


With regards to power though - I've never had any luck plugging the thing into my front case ports. I can hear the drive starting to spinup, then shuts off (repeated until I take it out). However, this isn't an issue with any other ports - Powered USB Hubs and normal ports on the MB don't have the issue.