Portable HDD Enclosure

lakers1222 on 16/09/2012 - 20:13
Last edited 16/09/2012 - 20:17

Big hello to all my fellow OzBargainers and Issh (who has helped me with all my computer problems before),

I have a couple 2.5" HHDs from old laptops that no longer work. I want to stick them into enclosures so I can use them to transfer information easily from computer to computer.

Is anyone out there able to help me with some questions about portable HDD enclosures.

How come some portable HDD need to use 2 USB ports ? Are there any advantages
Would you be able to recommend me an enclosure that uses a single USB port ?

I've found this one http://www.amazon.com/Vantec-NexStar-2-5-Inch-External-Enclo… but supposedly it needs 2 USB ports and shipping kills the deal.

Thanks for your input :)

Computing

Comments

  • bigpallooka on 17/09/2012 - 08:05

    Have you ever noticed that 3.5" external hard drives have a USB connection and a power adaptor? And that most 2.5" portable hard drives don't have the power adaptor? That's because the power required to run a 2.5" HDD is less. The first external 2.5" portable drives came with split USB cables also. Essentially it depends on the power coming from your computers USB ports. Some of these ports aren't powered and so require extra power to operate your HDD enclosure. Another point to be aware of is that many cheap computer accessories are made to old specifications or are old stock as product development in many of the Chinese factories they are made in consist of someone pulling apart a major brand item and trying to replicate it cheaply so very little R & D takes place.

    • lakers1222 on 17/09/2012 - 16:08

      Bigpallooka, you've made my day. I didn't understand that the 2 USB port limitation was due to the computer and not the enclosure. Thankyou :)

  • ethereal88 on 17/09/2012 - 08:05

    Your local MSY has 2.5" SATA to USB 3 for ~$15. USB 2 for ~$10.

    The exact same model from Amazon is here:

    http://msy.com.au/product.jsp?productId=9237

    The 2 USB ports would be to provide adequate power. Note that these enclosures are rather delicate. A HDD docking station I bought died within a year, so be gentle.

    • lakers1222 on 17/09/2012 - 16:09

      Lovely, that's the one I'm going to get. dw, I'm always gentle :)

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