hard drive case recommendation?

[Caroline]

Hey Guys,

I just pulled a 60GB hard drive from my 14 inch 1.42 GHz G4 iBook. I'd like to put it in a case and access the data. I've never done this before and don't really know what to look for. I'd love something small if I can get it. Any suggestions? I read somewhere that it is a ATA drive (similar to SATA?).

Thanks!

Caroline

[Black]

Correct-- the drive connectivity is known as PATA or IDE (or ATAPI). Cases are plentiful and cheap.
Any of these would work:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductLis...Submit=ENE&N=100007705%20600006255%20600006268&IsNodeId=1&name=IDE

If you live near a Microcenter think you could probably pick one up for $5.

[mjgkramer]

Unless you are wanting to use it for long term storage, you might consider a dock. There are some that will accomodate both IDE and SATA, both 2.5 and 3.5 inch. I recently bought a nice SATA one for $20.

http://dealmac.com/Masscool-USB-3.0-SATA...78064.html

OWC sells one that has both USB and Firewire interfaces for $60.

http://dealmac.com/Newer-Tech-2.5-3.5-Qu...79268.html

[Black]

mjgkramer wrote:
Unless you are wanting to use it for long term storage, you might consider a dock. There are some that will accomodate both IDE and SATA, both 2.5 and 3.5 inch. I recently bought a nice SATA one for $20.

http://dealmac.com/Masscool-USB-3.0-SATA...78064.html

OWC sells one that has both USB and Firewire interfaces for $60.

http://dealmac.com/Newer-Tech-2.5-3.5-Qu...79268.html

Neither of the docks you linked will work with Caroline's hard drive-- or am I missing something?

Edit-- just searched Newegg inventory-- as extensively as I have time to-- and don't see a single docking station that will accept an IDE drive.
I prefer the docks now too, but this doesn't seem like a solution for her . . .?

[Robert M]

mjg,

Good idea but it isn't going to work. The drive in question is an ATA (aka IDE) drive. Very few Docks work with a SATA or an IDE drive. The ones I've seen, seem to get mediocre reviews so I'd be inclined to pass on them. Caroline needs to find an inexpensive case that supports 2.5" ATA drives. The issue, though, is interface vs cost vs capacity. It's a 60 gig ATA drive. These days, 60 gigs is very low capacity and this particular drive uses an obsolete interface. So, to spend much more than $10 to $15 on an enclosure for the drive isn't cost effective and doesn't make sense, not when significantly higher capacity drives are available in the $50 to $70 range.

Newegg has enclosures for less than $20 that will work with the drive:



There are some IDE/SATA docks but they are too expensive for the purpose. The least expensive model is $38 and that already puts you more than halfway towards the cost of a external USB drive that has nearly 17 times the capacity. You'd be better off giving away the low capacity drive to someone who already has a use for it and using the money to buy a replacement external model.

If you really want to use the 60 gig drive (which I'd say is good for a backup of just important docks or as an emergency boot drive), then I'd consider one of the following:



I'd be inclined to go for one of the $14.99 models. Based on the description, they are inexpensive and support both IDE and SATA drives. So, in the future, you can swap the 60 gig IDE drive for a higher capacity SATA drive. But, considering the cost and capacity, I'd still be inclined to give the drive away and put the money towards a new high capacity external drive.

Robert

[Zoidberg]

Ditto on what Robert concluded above. Not worth the money considering the age/technology of the drive, IMO.

[testcase]

Oyen Digital has some high end aluminum cases. 2.5" & 3.5" available with multiple connectivity options and, Oyen uses Oxford chipsets. My 2.5 can handle Firewire 800 & 400 (via included cable) USB2 & eSATA. Came with all cables and a AC adaptor. I put a 500GB WD HD in. Its my travel back up drive. I also like the 3.5" case I got from them. I bought mine on eBay.

http://oyendigital.com/

[Robert M]

Test,

Same problem as above. The enclosures I saw on the site do not appear to be for ATA/IDE drives. The issue here isn't the external interface of the enclosure. It's the interface of the drive and its capacity. It's a 60 gig IDE drive. If I just wanted to repurpose the drive for limited usage, I'd spend the $15+ shipping on a 2.5" enclosure that supports IDE and SATA drives. Otherwise, I'd give the drive to someone who can use it without spending $$$ and replace the drive altogether.

Robert

[Black]

Zoidberg wrote:
Ditto on what Robert concluded above. Not worth the money considering the age/technology of the drive, IMO.

???
Not worth a $5 case from Microcenter, or a $10 case from Newegg?

[Black]

$5.99.

http://www.microcenter.com/single_produc...id=0264555