External vs. Internal+Enclosure

G

GreatestOne

Limp Gawd
Joined
May 15, 2005
Messages
488
Ok I have decided to go with an external backup finally... but since externals are still pretty expensive and I need at least a TB if i gonna use one, is there any disadvantage to getting a cheaper TB internal drive and using my adapters instead? I dont plan on running my external 24/7, jus maybe once a week or so.
 
Not as long as the enclosure is well made - the drive doesn't get too hot and is mounted securely. Also, make sure you get an enclosure with the fastest available interface that you can use - eSATA is great and you should definitely use it if you can. The disadvantage is if you're limited to USB speed for 1TB of backup - yikes!

Me personally, I have the guts of an internal HDD and then several bare drives that I switch between to keep backups, I don't even bother to put the drive in the case - but yeah, you're fine.
 
Ya thats what I plan on doing, using my adapter to backup every few days and then leave it off... mine is a USB 2.0 and I can just run a backup program overnight, I dont mind. Just dont wanna spend more money on a true external if I dont HAVE to... I just thought maybe there was "something" external drives have that make it "more reliable."
 
I would get an internal drive with an external case of your choosing so you can RMA the internal drive if it were to crash; usually external drives don't carry as good warranties as internal drive warranties; especially if the external drive is from a third party vendor, who often warranty their drivers for 1 year (!); better to get a good internal drive that has a warranty backed in full for three years (or five if you go with Seagate).

More icing on the cake would be that you can take out the internal drive with impunity at your wish if you ever wanted to plug it into your computer; most external drives that I've come across void their warranties if you take the drive out to plug it inside a computer.
 
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