External HDDs vs. Internal + external case...

[El Kabong]

Is there really a reason why one wouldnt just go for the latter? I haven't really tried slapping an internal drive into an external case, but for some reason i get the impression that it's just that. Plant the drive into the case, connect the lines for power and USB and everything else, and bingo. You've saved upwards of 70 dollars.... and that's using one of the more expensive cases... I was looking on newegg and some 500gb external HDDs are like 230 bucks, but getting an internal of the same size with an external case puts me at 150...

So... what gives?

 

[gigabyte1024]

nothing gives, you're right.
some people prefer to buy external drives because of looks or don't know how to put the case and drive together or don't know what to get for compatibility.