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USB enclosure for 400+ GB PATA drives?

T

tai4ji2x

Senior member
which USB 2.0 enclosures do people recommend (or at least don't warn against, since i will probably going for the less expensive offerings)? i need them to recognize these larger PATA drives . the drive will probably not be turned on 24/7, so i probably would prefer NO fan (unless REALLY quiet) as long as the enclosure is well-made and the metal/aluminum comes into direct contact with the drive.

for example, do these enclosures recognize 400+ GB drives?
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16817145343
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16817145133

thanks everyone!
 
If you read the detail spec, the Vantec support up to 500gb drive while the Bytecc only support up to 300Gb. If I were to buy one, I would choose the Vantec. I don't have neither, so I wouldn't be able to tell you. I only have a 5.25" bytecc enclosure. That one is working okay for me.
 
Based on your 400 GB requirement, the Vantec is your better choice. Besides, it comes in different colors - that's cool.
 
thanks, i just realized the specs too. anyone else have even better recommendations of their own? come to think of it, another feature i'd like is minimal screwdriver assembly, but it's not vital.
 
I know it doesn't meet your 400GB specs, but that ByteCC one is good in my experience. I've had one for over a year now, with just an 80GB drive in it, but it was easy to setup and I've never had a single problem with it. I've got that same basic thing except mine is all silver.
 
If you haven't gotten the HDD yet, why not consider eSATA unstead of USB 2? It is hugely faster, especially for large drives. Example:

eSATA
 
Originally posted by: corkyg
If you haven't gotten the HDD yet, why not consider eSATA unstead of USB 2? It is hugely faster, especially for large drives. Example:

eSATA
Click to expand...

yeah, i would, but my laptop has no eSATA connection, and i already have the seagate PATA 400GB drives which i got on sale. raw speed isn't my main concern anyway.
 
OK - laptop is key. Does it have a Firewire connection? If so, that would be better for a large HDD than USB 2. The sustained data throughput is better with Firewire.
 
Originally posted by: corkyg
OK - laptop is key. Does it have a Firewire connection? If so, that would be better for a large HDD than USB 2. The sustained data throughput is better with Firewire.
Click to expand...

:thumbsup:
 
yes my laptop has FW, but i often swap the drives to other computers, some of which might not have FW. although i suppose i'm willing to go FW instead if all other criteria are met.
 
Why not grab a slim Adaptec USB 2.0 / Firewire combo enclosure? Then you get the best of both worlds.

Worst Buy sells them for about $70 a pop but you can find much better deals online.
 
Combo enclosures are what I use. All my computers, laptop included, have Firewire, but with combos I can connect to other people's machines via USB 2.
 
Is there any particular reason why an enclosure would support a 300GB, but not a 400GB drive? I just assumed any enclosure that supported LBA48 (>137GB) would work with any hard drive currently available.
 
Originally posted by: Pabster
Why not grab a slim Adaptec USB 2.0 / Firewire combo enclosure? Then you get the best of both worlds.

Worst Buy sells them for about $70 a pop but you can find much better deals online.
Click to expand...

could you tell me where to find the "better deals"? newegg seems to have a USB2 3.5" at $40 plus $6+ shipping, which is a bit pricey.

i know you "get what you pay for" and adaptec is a brand name, but isn't there something cheaper?
 
Check Ziip Zoom Fly as well - they have a bigger selection than NewEgg, and mosty free shipping. I have used them for years and find them as good as NewEgg.

zzz

When you open the link, hitthe ASCENDING sort and you will start at cheapest and go from there.
 
Apricorn EZ-BUS-DT-KIT for $32.99 after rebate



Copied from a thread over at F@tW by SickTeddyBear:

It's all-aluminum.

It uses a Cypress USB2 bridge chipset.

It has a snug fit for a 3.5" drive, for good heat dissipation.

It has an 80mm underside fan (similar to the AMS Venus DS3).

It comes with cloning software that is the equivalent of Acronis TrueImage or Norton Ghost.

It supports hard drives of at least 500GB (ignore the specs on the web site, they're wrong)

Take advantage of this while you can. Discounts on these enclosures are rare, and usually only come once a year.
 
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