Any favorite external HDD enclosure 3.5 SATA/IDE firewire/usb? (1 Viewer)

[alia176]

Fellow computer geeks,

I'm need of a way to centralize all of our files into one HDD so that multiple computers on my home network can share the same files. This way, I can backup all of my files into one location using Second Copy. This enclosure will be attached to the Netgear router and I'm hoping to use the on-board FTP/HTTP feature to access files when I'm on the road. Currently, I have an 1.5TB Seagate Barracuda internal HDD that's acting as my file server. The Netgear router can only support USB 2.0 but I was thinking ahead for the future by going with the USB 3.0 and/or Firewire options.

In case we have to evacuate the house during a wildfire, I just want to grab our laptops and this HDD and run!

To this end, let me know if you folks have any favorite HDD enclosure as there seems to be a ton of them out there. I don't quite know what the important attributes I should be looking at but here's what I can think of so far:

- hot swappable (big deal?)
- IDE/SATA (need to empty out an old IDE drive or at least see what's inside)
- USB 2.0/3.0
- Firewire (just in case for future. Don't have anything that can run firewire yet)
- external cooling fan? Are they quiet?
- Alum case (for better heat sinking) important?
- external power supply (i'm guessing this is standard)
- anything else?

This looks like a decent bang for the buck factor: http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=4365888&CatId=2780


Thanks for any input.

 

[e9999]

I have both the "closed case" type and the "stick-in" type. The latter much faster of course, and more attractive if you have to work with several HDDs, although protection of the drives in storage adn when handled becomes important. (There is also something to be said for the HDD to be protected and encased if you have to grab and run.) Mine is a Thermaltake BlacX. It is USB2 and eSATA. I think you want the latter especially, it's much faster than USB. Maybe less so nowadays with USB3. I am under the impression that Firewire is not going to be around too much longer but don't know that for sure. Mine does not have IDE support but IIRC you can get an insert for that and/or other versions have an IDE cable attachment of some sort. When I looked at the IDE part it was not obvious that there was a clean way to go. Have not used it much but works fine.

Nothing much to be said about the cases. It is actually not that hard to slide some open and swap the HDD inside so I'm good with that too.

 

[alia176]

Ok, copy that. My router only has the USB 2.0 for an external storage device, so I should drop the firewire requirement. Unfortunately, eSATA is not an option on my router. I'll check out the brand you have.

 

[e9999]

that hot-swappable dock I have is really intended to juggle bare HDDs. Doesn't seem like your issue. If you have only usb, then any external HDD would do. I like the WD Passports. (You'll never see me buy a Seagate.) Have several. Just bought a couple of 1 TB. $100 ea. USB3 (works with USB2). Tiny, much smaller than the desktop external HDDs. Works fine. Versatile. Easy to grab quickly.
If you're thinking fire, if you don't have a good safe, I would also get one of those waterproof fireproof small boxes and leave a backup in there, rotating periodically. (Of course, a safe in a bank is even better if you rotate frequently enough.) This in case you can't get to it. Keep in mind that in several of the recent evacuations we had, you could not get back to your house from work!! They closed down all the roads. (Well, OK, a dirt bike can come in handy... )

 

[alia176]

I don't need a HDD. Just wanted feedback on the USB enclosures at this time.

Thanks.

 

[HenryAZ]

I don't need a HDD. Just wanted feedback on the USB enclosures at this time.

Wiebetech makes some nice cases for 2.5" and 3.5" drives. A bit spendy, but they are sturdy and dissipate heat very well. They all come with USB2.0, eSata, and FW400/800, and some models have hardware encryption chipsets. They also have some drive dock products, where you can just cable up bare drives for quick use and swapping.

 

[alia176]

Ok, I'll go check them out. Thanks.

 

[Spook50]

I've never had any problems with Acomdata enclosures. That's what I use for all my stuff now.

That just reminded me I've got a few old lower capacity IDE HDDs in old enclosures that I need to just get onto a couple SATA 1TB HDDs and put them in USB 3.0 enclosures.

 

[e9999]

I have an Acomdata with both EIDE and SATA. It's nominally a 3.5" but one can use it for a 2.5" too if you don't mind the little guy flopping around a bit when you move it.

 

[Spook50]

...if you don't mind the little guy flopping around a bit when you move it.

I hate when that happens.

 

[e9999]

I hate when that happens.

sorry to hear that. Not too little, I hope...

 

[joshty]

Aren't you interested in NAS (Network Attached Storage). They are much better than external hdd enclosures. They are not just hdd and casing which can be made easily. 1st thing, they come with software and accounts through which you can access anywhere. Backup softwares. I am using Seagate NAS Black Armour and I quite happy with its features. Take a look on it once.