Need recommendation for usb c 3.5 hard drive enclosure

[macphanatic]

I ordered a new Mini. My main hd is in a 800 FW enclosure. So, looking for a new enclosure for the hard drive that supports usb c. Any recommendations?

[Zoidberg]

Not sure if you're talking a 2.5 or a 3.5 drive; but if 2.5:

I'm really happy with my OWC Mercury Elite Pro Dual minis. I bought them bare/empty from one of the OWC Garage Sales and filled them with shucked drives from on-sale Samsungs (which were regular USB 3.0 drives).

USB 3.1 gen 2: https://eshop.macsales.com/shop/garage_s...dpath=4353&filter.dimension_interface_ports_21=USB%203%2E1%20Gen%202

USB C: https://eshop.macsales.com/shop/garage_s...dpath=4353&filter.dimension_interface_ports_21=USB%2DC

[Sarcany]

I hope that the idea is a one-time migration from that drive and thereafter it's being retired. Anything still on FireWire is likely on its last legs.

So, don't buy an enclosure. Buy a USB dock or adapter cable and use the one of the native USB-A connections on the Mini to migrate the data from that drive.

...And then put the drive on a shelf or drill a hole in it and drop it off at the recycler.

[macphanatic]

It's a newer 4TB drive in a legacy OWC enclosure. The drive is fine. It needs a new home.

[Sarcany]

macphanatic wrote:
It's a newer 4TB drive in a legacy OWC enclosure. The drive is fine. It needs a new home.

Still, there's no speed advantage to putting it in a USB-C enclosure. Save some time and trouble and money and put it on the USB-A bus. If you're worrying about filling the measly two USB-A ports then connect a hub or use a USB-C to USB-A adapter..

If it's going to be plugged in and powered on then I'd strongly suggest an aluminum enclosure. Ideally, one with a fan, but if it's not likely to be worked hard then you can skip the fan. Rosewill is a decent brand fro cheap aluminum enclosures.

...Also, have you got a backup for the contents of that drive? 4TB is a lot to lose.

[macphanatic]

Sarcany wrote:
[quote=macphanatic]
It's a newer 4TB drive in a legacy OWC enclosure. The drive is fine. It needs a new home.

Still, there's no speed advantage to putting it in a USB-C enclosure. Save some time and trouble and money and put it on the USB-A bus. If you're worrying about filling the measly two USB-A ports then connect a hub or use a USB-C to USB-A adapter..

If it's going to be plugged in and powered on then I'd strongly suggest an aluminum enclosure. Ideally, one with a fan, but if it's not likely to be worked hard then you can skip the fan. Rosewill is a decent brand fro cheap aluminum enclosures.

...Also, have you got a backup for the contents of that drive? 4TB is a lot to lose.
It's backed up to a Synology.

I figured if I'm going to a new Mini, it would be simpler to use USB C if I'm buying a new enclosure.

[jdc]

USB C is not an enclosure type. It’s a connection type.

Ideally any 3.5” sata USB 3 case with a USB A to USB C cable is all you need.

https://www.amazon.ca/Mediasonic-ProBox-...E6S3ASSQ8Q&keywords=3+5+enclosure&qid=1551549582&s=gateway&sprefix=3.5”+e&sr=8-5

Although depending on “how” the drive is used — It does seem sorta silly to toss a newish drive by the way side — but if I was going all new I’d prob replace it with a pre built portable drive. No fan, no power plug and size of deck of cards. In single drive tests I bet speed is near the same. Which is all kinda moot since they will both perform way after since now not bottlednecked by FW800.

[michaelb]

Does your case have USB? My OWC FW800 drives do. I just bought a USB C cable and hooked up my old enclosures. Not perfect, but that cost $6 or so for the cables. If you have a spinning HD, my guess is that it doesn't really matter how you hook it up because the bottle neck will be the drive, not the connection (but USB 3.1 would be better if it supports that).

[macphanatic]

Wound up buying a usb b to c cable to use for the time being.