USB 2.0 cardbus and enclosure questions newbie

[pilgrim2u]

I have a new toshiba laptop with USB 1. I want to know the basics on what I really need so far as a us 2.0 cardbus. I see a cheap usb cardbus from Computer geeks(30), and I see Belkins cardbus(70) and Adaptecs cardcus(60) for twice the price of the CompGeeks.

Are there certain "chips" on the cards I should avoid. Everyone on the firewire talk always mentions "Oxford 911" as a must.

I see CompGeeks enclosures for 40 dollars, and many double that price.
I learned my compter stuff on the old macs.......does anyone remember "scsi" voodoo
Is there something similar conflicts with xp and some cardbus's...some enclosures?

Thanks all

 

[Lord Evermore]

Oxford 911 is the chip inside the enclosure that converts the IDE signal to Firewire, and it's the best performing chip for it right now (Oxford 900 is a slower, older version). It does not do USB2.0, so the only reason you should worry about it is if you get an enclosure that does both USB2.0 and Firewire and you'd like good performance if you did happen to use the firewire connection. If you're only getting a USB2.0 enclosure, then Oxford shouldn't even show up (although they do have a 922 chipset now that does USB2.0 and Firewire).

The lower priced "generic" enclosures generally are as good as brand names, since they all use the same chips. They work perfectly well in XP; I don't know about any "conflicts" with Cardbus controllers. I don't think there's any particular chipset yet for the enclosures or controllers that works any better than others. There's certainly no reason to pay the prices for Belkin or Adaptec cards.

 

[pilgrim2u]

thanks
I did see mention I think of a NEC chip?

......................................

compgeeks enclosure

3.5" Drive External USB 2.0 Enclosure

General Features:
Can be used with 3.5-inch internal IDE drives
(such as hard drives, Zip drives, etc.)
USB 2.0 interface (In-System ISG300A1 chipset)
Supports Windows 98SE/Me/2000/XP
Support for Mac OS 8.6 or later
Plug and Play
Hot-Swappable
Rear-mounted power switch
Silver Case
Case Dimensions: 213x128x38mm (L x W x H)
External Power Supply
AC Input: 100-240V / 50-60Hz
DC Output: +5V 1.5A/ +12V 1.8A

Supports up to 128GB Hard Drives
Supports up to UDMA/100
No Max Hard Drive RPM

Retail Box Includes:
Case
External Power Supply
US Power Cord
USB Cable (A to B)
Brackets
User Manual
Driver on CD-ROM
Screws

Product Requirements
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

PC:
Windows 98SE/ME/2000/XP

MAC
MAC OS 8.6 or better

Both:
Available USB 2.0 port
3.5" drive to put into case
AC Power Outlet
CD-ROM drive (to load driver)