Questions regarding Apricorn enclosure

[pally01]

Hi all.

I am looking to replace my recently-failed Startech external 3.5" enclosure and have read the many recommendations for Apricorn enclosures. I believe I want to get one and would like to know this:

- I want the one with eSata and USB 2.0 http://www.apricorn.com/product_detail.php?type=family&id=10 and am a bit confused on what hard drive I can install inside it. Does this accept IDE drives or just Sata?

- How friendly is it to swap drives with this unit? I have a few Vantechs that are a real pain to swap so I'm hoping for something easier. My Startech was excellent for swapping and will likely really miss that feature.

- Unfortunatley, Newegg is not an ordering option for me as I'm a Canuck. Does anyone have experience with http://www.ca.buy.com/prod/Apricorn_EZ_BUS_DTS_EKIT_Aluminum_SATA_External_Enclosure_Storage_Enclo/q/loc/59205/202641074.html

As usual, any insights welcomed.

[BigRed CC Dually]

I found this in the specs. "Regardless of whether you use a notebook, desktop PC, or MAC, EZ Bus-DTS is also the ideal enclosure to house your spare 3.5" SATA HDD (kits without hard drives are available)"

You would also need an external SATA port, my motherboard has one but many do not, or a SATA card installed to provide the port.

I have two Apricorn DTC enclosures and they are VERY easy to swap HDDs in and out. The DTC model uses PATA HDD but has firewire and USB as a way to connect to the computer.

If the DTS enclosure is anything like the DTC then you could hardly go wrong assuming the eSATA connection is available on your PC, and even if not you still have USB2 as a way to connect.

[Cricket]

- I want the one with eSata and USB 2.0 http://www.apricorn.com/product_detail.php?type=family&id=10 and am a bit confused on what hard drive I can install inside it. Does this accept IDE drives or just Sata?The DTS models take SATA HDDs.- How friendly is it to swap drives with this unit? I have a few Vantechs that are a real pain to swap so I'm hoping for something easier. My Startech was excellent for swapping and will likely really miss that feature.Can't help you here since I haven't used the Apricorn external housings yet (I use Bytecc external housings).

:) Cricket

[glc]

Swapping is easy, remove 4 screws and open the lid.

[pally01]

Thanks all for you advice. I think I'll be getting the unit Big Red suggests, as I already have an I.D.E. 500 gb Seagate to go into it.

Good to hear that swapping is easy too. I shudder when I think of having to change out my Vantechs :mad:

Too bad I have the drive already, as I do have eSata support on my Asus P5B motherboard too. Oh well....

[glc]

Yes, with an IDE drive you need a DT or DTC. DT is USB and DTC is USB and Firewire.

If you do a lot of drive swapping, why not just get a dongle type adapter? Example:

http://www.geeks.com/details.asp?invtid=USB2IDE-N&cat=HDD

[pally01]

Hmmm. Interesting idea, GLC. I'm definately considering this instead of a full enclosure.

An external drive without the external enclosure! This would certainly make for an easy drive swap and the price is right too, that's for sure.

Is it as simple as plugging in the cable/power supply,placing the drive on a piece of cardboard and letting it operate?

No mention of Vista driver support. Will Vista play nice with this?

[glc]

Yes and yes.

You can also get dongles that support 2.5" notebook drives and SATA drives. Check at geeks.com, hard drives, hard drive adapters. I have the 3 in 1:

http://www.geeks.com/details.asp?invtid=2020&cat=HDD

[Dazzer]

Are Apricorn eclosures available in the UK?

Dazzer

[LeftyAce]

I don't think so.

[pally01]

Thanks GLC. I believe I'll be getting that one too.

Dazzer - I saw another post in these forums and the person said Apricorn were not to be found in the U.K. whatsoever.

Side note - I've been looking at the pricing for external enclosures and also for this type of adapter on U.S. & Canadian sites. It really seems to me that us Canucks are getting the short end of the pricing stick.

Examples: The cheapest CDN retail price for an Apricorn USB enclosure is $53.00. The same enclosure @ Newegg is $24.99 U.S. including rebate.

The adapter GLC pointed out to me retails for $49.95 CDN up here. It's $15.99 in the States. Even with shipping from Computer Geeks, I can get that adapter for 2/3 of the Canadian price. Interesting....