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Thread ID: 100891 2009-06-24 10:17:00 External HDD enclosures qazwsxokmijn (102) Press F1
Post ID Timestamp Content User
785451 2009-06-24 10:17:00 I've just got my new WD 640GB Black HDD today so I think I'm going to turn my current main 160GB HDD into an external HDD. I'm new to the whole range of external enclosures, so can anyone recommend me a good external enclosure for less than $50? I just want it on USB, not eSATA or whatever.

And, I was told by my brother's friend that playing media from a USB HDD (videos, music etc) is not safe? He says it makes the HDD work beyond its limit apparently. Is there any truth in there?

Thanks!
qazwsxokmijn (102)
785452 2009-06-24 10:22:00 Playing media from a USB HDD is not safe?

A USB HDD is just a normal HDD with a IDE/SATA>USB adapter inside a case...

Hard drives can cope with read/write easy, don't even worry bout it.

Is this current 160gb HDD 2.5" or 3.5"?

Any case is OK really, just don't get the really cheap ones. Look on trademe, ascent etc.

Blam
Blam (54)
785453 2009-06-24 10:25:00 Yeah, I was doubting his 'professional' opinion. I'm not really into the HDD field, so don't really know.

It's a 3.5" standard desktop HDD. Cheers blam.
qazwsxokmijn (102)
785454 2009-06-24 10:28:00 Stupid me-forgot to ask, what interface is it?(SATA/IDE) Blam (54)
785455 2009-06-24 10:30:00 I use Sun Bright Welland cases - they are substantial and look great - but maybe more than $50? (e.g. www.xtremesystems.co.nz) johnd (85)
785456 2009-06-24 10:32:00 I use Sun Bright Welland cases - they are substantial and look great - but maybe more than $50? (e.g. www.xtremesystems.co.nz)

That one has esata, which makes it a bit more expensive.

This is the same but without esata:
www.trademe.co.nz

I've seen them a few times, nice build quality.

Blam
Blam (54)
785457 2009-06-24 10:33:00 Stupid me-forgot to ask, what interface is it?(SATA/IDE)
SATA, of course. IDE is so yesterday. I'm not THAT left behind. :p

John: yeah, that looks expensive. I don't really mind about looks....it can be totally brick-looking, as long as it keeps the HDD operating at a tolerable temp.
qazwsxokmijn (102)
785458 2009-06-24 10:44:00 You won't get a very good cooling+good brand enclosure for that price unfortunately.

Unless you do lots of writes to the HDD it should be fine with the Welland case

Blam
Blam (54)
785459 2009-06-24 10:46:00 And Id stop listening to your brother's friend. That "advice" is a joke! beeswax34 (63)
785460 2009-06-24 10:51:00 Yeah I might settle for the Welland one. $45 doesn't sound too shabby I guess.

And yes, Bees, I'll stop listening to the guy. I was wondering why it would be dangerous to play stuff from an external.....
qazwsxokmijn (102)
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