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    Difference between portable external hard drives

    Discussion in 'Accessories' started by Generic User #2, Aug 16, 2011.

  1. Generic User #2

    Generic User #2 Notebook Deity

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    i've never been much of an external hard drive kinda guy, but i am scaring the out of myself without a local backup of my lappy.

    I can't tell the difference between chassis for portable HDs...it seems that you pick one with USB3.0 and then after that, its simply a matter of aesthetics..

    am i correct in that assumption?
     
    Generic User #2, Aug 16, 2011
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  2. woofer00

    woofer00 Wanderer

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    An enclosure is a metal box with a hard drive adapter bolted to one end of it. The adapter determines the type of drive (SATA/PATA) and connection (eSATA, USB, Firewire). Everything else is aesthetics.
     
    woofer00, Aug 16, 2011
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  3. Generic User #2

    Generic User #2 Notebook Deity

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    anybody wanna recommend me a particular enclosure. smallness is the most important feature :).
     
    Generic User #2, Aug 17, 2011
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  4. bc2946088

    bc2946088 Notebook Consultant

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    I like the seagate goflex pro. Comes with just usb2.0 but can easily be upgraded on the fly with a purchased seperatly adapter. I think, esata, firewire, usb3.0 are all options. I use esata and the standard usb2. The drive is powered by its data connection and 7200 rpms.
     
    bc2946088, Aug 17, 2011
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  5. lazard

    lazard Notebook Deity

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    depends how much storage your looking for on your portable. The 320GB, 500GB, and 750GB models are fairly slim. Once it hit 1TB, it gets a bit thick.
     
    lazard, Aug 17, 2011
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  6. Krane

    Krane Notebook Prophet

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    Some enclosure specify the amount of GB they recommend.

    I've been using Adata for about a year now and am satisfied with the results. At $19 they were expensive but they're sleek and barely larger than the HD module.

    Also, I just purchased a HD enclosure w/USB 3.0 from Monoprice. As you might expect it was much cheaper, but is also feels crude and is a bit more clunky. Nevertheless, it is aluminum and has an +5v DC in.
     
    Krane, Aug 17, 2011
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