I need some advice on setting up an external enclosure HDD

[Dangerer]

I have a laptop with a bunch of files that I need backed up and stored seperate hdd. What I want is a fairly large hard drive and an external firewire enclosure. Some key points.

-Since I won't be running any apps off the hard drive, just using it store files, would I need to get a top of the line enclosure to cover the hard drive or will a generic one do the job.
-Does it matter at all if I choose SATA over PATA or IDE since the thing will be running off of firewire anyway?
-Is it common for people to have their external hard drives on 24/7?

 

[jackschmittusa]

I would think a generic enclosure would be fine for file backup. You often pay the premium prices for such things as fancy lights, appealing design, and ruggedness; none of which is necessary to your needs. SATA or PATA should make little or no difference in this case.

One of the advantages I see in an external drive is that you can turn it off when you are not using it. It should add to drive longevity, save a small amout of power, and can't be infected if off. It should also be more likely to survive a major power surge if off. So if something bad happens to your internal drive, chances are your backed up files will be intact.

 

[GrammatonJP]

I used a belking one with internal fan and a regular power plug, like the one you use on psu, so you can bring that ANYWHERE.. lots of them use power brick..

http://www.livedigitally.com/?p=325

http://www.livedigitally.com/wp-content/backofenclosure.jpg pic here

 

[Dangerer]

K well I ended up buying the new SATA 7200.10 Seagate drive that is 320gbs. Now I need an external enclosure that would accept 1394 firewire or USB 2.0. After looking around for a while though, it seems as though all the external SATA enclosures have only USB 2.0 and I'd be forced to pay a price premium if I wanted firewire on it. Does this mean USB 2.0 is a better solution?

Now I know that firewire 400 transfers at about 400mbits. And USB2.0 goes at 480mbits, but is it true that USB 2.0 is unable to transfer at the maximum rate? (read somewhere about a percentage cap).

anyone have any recommendataions?