External Enclosures

frying_pan_cat · 12 Feb 2010 at 14:41

I am after an external enclosure which I can use for backing up my data. Looking on the website I saw http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=HD-005-AK&groupid=1657&catid=1660&subcat=1670 and http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=HD-030-BT&groupid=1657&catid=1660&subcat=1670, both of which look quite good. I want to know which of the two people on here would recommend, or if there are others at a similar price which would be better.

I'm a bit of a noob when it comes to these so I was wondering if there are any limitations with these as opposed to purely internal drives ie. size of drive they will accept etc?

Thanks

MikeHunt79 · 12 Feb 2010 at 14:57

Take a look at the antec one also.

rpstewart · 12 Feb 2010 at 15:12

All the enclosures are pretty similar so it's a case of narrowing down the options to the ones which are the right size and interface for the drive and have the interface(s) back to the PC that you want. After that it tends to be down to cost unless you want something like the internal dock version of the IcyBox linked above.

The days of capacity limitations etc are behind us thankfully.

Tomsk · 12 Feb 2010 at 15:14

If you don't already have a spare 2.5" drive you might want to consider an external portable drive.
eg. The 500GB Freecom is only £1 more than a bare drive.
Freecom 500GB - http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=HD-075-FC&groupid=1657&catid=1659&subcat=
bare 500GB drive - http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=HD-248-WD&groupid=701&catid=14&subcat=896

USB2 should be fast enough and is pretty much guaranteed to be able to connect to any PC when required.

Frapple · 12 Feb 2010 at 15:15

I've got the Icy Box one, very good quality, quick release is very nice if you use it to retrieve data from dead machines like me.

Got some 2.5" HyperTec FireStorm enclousures as well - if you can find these for 3.5" drives they're also very nice, stainless steel, solid build.

frying_pan_cat · 12 Feb 2010 at 15:29

Thanks for the replies. I have loads of spare drives lying around so that's not an issue.

I think I'll go for the Akasa since it supports IDE drives which may come in handy

SimonC · 12 Feb 2010 at 18:04

I have the icy box one, very good quality, some pretty red and blue lights, using it right now in fact to back up stuff.

michael baxter · 12 Feb 2010 at 18:06

I've got a similar Akasa model, and have been very happy with it.