Portable HDD questions - encryption SATA etc

I'm looking to buy my first portable external HDD for my laptop - I dont want mains powered HDD (ie powered via USB/firewire).

I have a few questions:

a) I assume SATA is only available on externally powered HDDs?

b) If I buy one with no inbuilt encryption function, is there software available that will encrypt the information?

c) From ppl experience is a shock proof one worth the extra $$$? eg transcend storejet 25 mobile (other product option suggestions would be appreciated).

http://www.transcendusa.com/Products/ModDetail.asp?ModNo=198&LangNo=0&Func1No=1&Func2No=78

Thanks!

 

a) both SATA and PATA are available on external usb powered drives. The difference is that 3.5" drives(from desktop pcs) have to be mains powered while the majority of 2.5" drives(laptop form) can be powered by solely by usb.

 

So does that mean you can get a portable HDD (3.5 or 2.5) that runs off USB power that has a SATA cable connection? I havent found one - looked at WD, Seagate, Verbatim etc.

 

What do you mean by "SATA cable connection"? Do you mean eSATA or a drive with the SATA interface but connects via USB?

You won't find a 3.5" drive that runs off of USB power.

 

I mean the HDD has a SATA connection with the PC/laptop rather than a HDD with SATA interface that connects to the latop with USB

 

Not too sure about the whole SATA thing... but for encryption of the drive check out truecrypt.

 

As said above, Truecrypt is a well-used - but quite opaque in terms of development methodology - software-only encryption tool which works well. There are hardware solutions available but compatibility, validity of encryption, etc leaves their effectiveness open to debate. The Seagate Momentus encrypted drives have seen some adoption, but I'm not sure you can get an external variety / whether external mounting is supported.

Whether a bus-powered USB drive has SATA or PATA connection is relatively irrelevant in terms of the kind of throughput you can expect through USB. The only major difference is that power consumption is likely to be lower on more modern drives, and these are more likely to be SATA than PATA.

 

+1 for Truecrypt.

I think you're talking about eSATA connexions; I think there are 2.5" drives with this, but I think you have to power them via the USB port.

Shockproof drives are always a lot more expensive than ordinary drives. Whether it's worth it to you depends on how you use your stuff. I would recommend getting a drive in an aluminium enclosure at the very least; they will withstand more abuse than the plastic ones.

The Freecom Toughdrive Pros are very good shockproof drives, supposedly the best but they ain't cheap!

 

Fairly expensive rubber. And the LED's go out after a while on many of them for some reason (but no functional issues I can see). Freecom Toughdrives are all I use these days though: The captive USB mini-lead is pretty handy.