| What is a Hard Disk Enclosure and how do I use one? | | | | (Tower) PC. A Laptop Hard Drive is described as a |
| A hard drive enclosure (sometimes also referred to as | | | | 2.5” Hard Disk whereas the Hard Disk from a |
| a Hard Disk Case or Hard Disk Caddy) is simply an | | | | Desktop PC is 3.5” |
| external case that “encloses” a hard disk drive | | | | 2. Interface: Most new Hard Disks are now SATA |
| and turns it into an external device that can then be | | | | (Serial-ATA) disks but if you are looking to use a hard |
| connected to your PC via USB, Firewire or eSATA. | | | | disk salvaged from an old PC its probably going to |
| There are lots of external hard drive solutions on the | | | | have an IDE interface (also described as ATA or |
| market from companies like Maxtor, Freecom and | | | | PATA). The IDE interface is pretty easy to distinguish |
| Lacie but these “solutions” include the Hard Disk | | | | as it has 2 rows of 22 Pins along the connection |
| as well as the enclosure. Great if you just want to buy | | | | interface. A SATA Hard Disk will have to simple plastic |
| something off the shelf but, if you’ve got a hard | | | | looking connectors |
| disk that you’ve salvaged from an old PC then its | | | | 3. Connection Type: USB & Firewire connections |
| significantly cheaper to buy a Hard Disk Enclosure and | | | | are the most common ways to connect a Hard Disk |
| use the Hard Disk you have to create your own | | | | Case to your PC or Mac some newer cases also |
| solution. | | | | have eSATA as an option. Your choice of connection |
| There is nothing intimidating about using a Hard Disk | | | | will often be dependant on the computer/devices you |
| Enclosure – think of it as a “tray” that you | | | | want to use your hard drive with and if you’re not |
| slot the Hard Disk into (secured by a couple of | | | | sure you can buy cases with multiple interface options |
| screws) and with external connections that allow you | | | | but bear in mind these will cost more than say an |
| to connect the enclosure to your PC. They are simple | | | | enclosure that only connects via USB. |
| to use, great for recovering data from old Hard Drives | | | | 4. Number of Bays: Single and dual bay enclosures are |
| and excellent for recycling old hard disks. | | | | available. A dual bay enclosure can take two Hard |
| There are a few options to consider when considering | | | | Disks and some support RAID so both hard disks can |
| a Hard Disk Enclosure: | | | | be set up to appear as a single drive or support |
| 1. Hard Drive Size (physical not storage capacity): Hard | | | | “virtual back-up” options across both Hard |
| Disks come in two basic sizes depending on whether | | | | Drives. |
| they are designed to be used in a Laptop of Desktop | | | | |