Please recommend a bus-powered external USB drive or enclosure

  • Thread starter Thread starter Eli
  • Start date Start date
E

Eli

I'd like to find an external USB drive that can easily be used with a
laptop. This means that it will need to be powered off of the
laptop's USB bus. The speed isn't particularly important, and the
size doesn't have to be terribly large - say 30 to 40GB. Reliability
is my chief concern after the above criteria are met.

Any recommendations for either an enclosure into which I can mount a
drive or a packaged drive/enclosure solution?
 
I'd like to find an external USB drive that can easily be used with
a laptop. This means that it will need to be powered off of the
laptop's USB bus. The speed isn't particularly important, and
the size doesn't have to be terribly large - say 30 to 40GB.
Reliability is my chief concern after the above criteria are met.
Click to expand...
Any recommendations for either an enclosure into which
I can mount a drive or a packaged drive/enclosure solution?
Click to expand...

http://seagate.com/docs/pdf/datasheet/disc/ds_retail_portable.pdf
looks interesting. Havent tried one tho.

http://seagate.com/support/disc/iguides/external/portable_qs.pdf
shows its got a connection to two USB ports to help with the power.
 
http://seagate.com/docs/pdf/datasheet/disc/ds_retail_portable.pdf
looks interesting. Havent tried one tho.

http://seagate.com/support/disc/iguides/external/portable_qs.pdf
shows its got a connection to two USB ports to help with the power.
Click to expand...

Thanks Rod. I think HP sells that same package with their branding on
it. Both utilize 2.5" drives if I'm not mistaken.

After looking around today at what's available, I think my preference
would be to go with a 1.8" drive. Smaller enclosure, probably a lower
power requirement, and most likely fewer heat related problems. Maybe
even a bit more durable given the 1.8" drive's lower overall mass and
the fact that the drives are primarily manufactured for iPods and
similar portable devices, which almost certainly see harsher treatment
than most laptop drives.
 
Previously Eli said:
I'd like to find an external USB drive that can easily be used with a
laptop. This means that it will need to be powered off of the
laptop's USB bus. The speed isn't particularly important, and the
size doesn't have to be terribly large - say 30 to 40GB. Reliability
is my chief concern after the above criteria are met.
Click to expand...
Any recommendations for either an enclosure into which I can mount a
drive or a packaged drive/enclosure solution?
Click to expand...

One note: This will only work if your laptop has an USB port
that can supply 500mA. You should check that first.

Arno
 
Arno Wagner said:
One note: This will only work if your laptop has an USB port
that can supply 500mA. You should check that first.
Click to expand...
That is a requirement of USB. Many ports can provide 1A long enough to spin up a 2.5"

If the ports are 0.5A, you need to use two USB ports or power brick with 2.5" drives.

Anyone know the power requirements of smaller drives?
 
That is a requirement of USB. Many ports can provide 1A long enough to spin up a 2.5"
Click to expand...
If the ports are 0.5A, you need to use two USB ports or power brick with 2.5" drives.
Click to expand...
Anyone know the power requirements of smaller drives?
Click to expand...

If you pay any attention to this notorious troll, you will suffer the
consequences.

You have been warned.

--

Map of the Vast Right Wing Conspiracy
http://home.houston.rr.com/rkba/vrwc.html

"The possession of arms is the distinction
between a free man and a slave."
-- Andrew Fletcher, Discourse on Government (1695)
 
USB powered enclosures have been hit or miss for me. That is, I have 1 USB
enclosure (vantec I think, not sure) which houses an 80gb drive, and it
works on some systems from the USB power and on others it does not. On my
PC at work I installed an extension from the rear USB ports so I can have 2
USB ports right on the top of my desk. They work great for everything,
except my USB powered enclosure. For some reason the drive is flaky on
those ports but works fine on the front panel ports. Huh. Once you know
the hoops you have to jump through you just do what you know works.

Luckily the enclosures are really cheap, so you could try a few if need be.

--Dan
 
Your pathetically senile pig ignorant drivel in spades.
Click to expand...

Yet another datum point confirming my claim that Troll Rodboy is a
robot. He says the same exact thing over and over and over...


--

Map of the Vast Right Wing Conspiracy
http://home.houston.rr.com/rkba/vrwc.html

"The possession of arms is the distinction
between a free man and a slave."
-- Andrew Fletcher, Discourse on Government (1695)
 
Yet another datum point
Click to expand...

Wota ****ing wanker...
confirming my claim that Troll Rodboy is a robot.
He says the same exact thing over and over and over...
Click to expand...

Corse you never ever do anything like that yourself, eh redneck ?

Talk about a pathetically senile silly old fart.
 
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