3.5 external hard disk vs 3.5 internal hard disk with enclosure?

[pcwin]

What is the difference of 3.5 external hard disk (e.g. WD My Book) vs a 3.5 internal hard disk fixed into an enclosure to work like an external hard disk?

Are both good to be use as an external drive to store backup?

What 3.5 enclosure is good?

Thanks

 

[Anesthetic]

What do you mean fixed into an enclosure to work like an external drive? Are you referring to a My Book 3.0 VIA USB 3.0.... vs.... an internal SATA III SSD or HDD? Be a little more specific.

 

[pcwin]

My Book 3.0 VIA USB 3.0
vs
an 3.5 inch internal SATA III HDD (e.g. WD Green, WD Black) that is put inside an Hard Drive Enclosure Case, to act like an external hard disk.

Hard Drive Enclosure Case examples:
Amazon.com: Mediasonic ProBox 3.5" SATA Hard Drive Enclosure (K32-SU3): Computers & Accessories
http://www.amazon.com/Sabrent-Aluminum-Enclosure-cooling-EC-7F83/dp/B004J43KIC/ref=pd_sim_147_3?ie=UTF8&refRID=18M87DVQ96BEQC2FWH2K

 

[Ranger4]

Basically the difference is that the WD My Book is a self contained hard drive with the power supply etc. all built in & it cannot be used as an internal hard drive. They often come with back up software as does the My Book.

Whereas an enclosure, or caddy as they are often called, allows an internal hard drive to used as an external one. The power supply etc. is supplied by the caddy & the the hard drive just plugs in. These are handy if you have a spare not used good internal hard drive available, that could be used for back up. With this type you will need additional back up software, such as Macrium Reflect or similar.

Both types usually are connected to the computer via a USB 2 or 3 for data transfer.

An example of one is shown at this website. The price shown is AU dollars.

Vantec NexStar RX 5G 3.5in USB 3.0 External Hard Drive Enclosure [NST-340S3-BK] - $39.00 : PC Case Gear

 

[pcwin]

Would a no fan 3.5inch Enclosure be good enough? Wondering if it may get too hot.

 

[Anesthetic]

Would a no fan 3.5inch Enclosure be good enough? Wondering if it may get too hot.

Do yourself a favor and get one WITH a fan. (Better safe than sorry). I actually read tons of forums on this and most have said the drives last longer when there is some air passed over. I can attest to it also. I have had this refurbished seagate inside an air-cooled enclosure and it has been going strong for nearly 5 years.

In fact, it's not even recommended to run your hard drives outside of a chassis for extended period of times without excellent airflow. A hot hdd is a sad hdd.

 

[pcwin]

What brand/model enclosure with fan is good?

 

[Anesthetic]

What brand/model enclosure with fan is good?

Amazon.com: Thermaltake Max 5G Active Cooling Hard Drive Enclosure with Two 80mm Blue LED Fans USB 3.0 5.0Gbps ST0020U: Electronics

This one is solid.

The one I have now has been going for several years. I recently bought another; but there was some kind of connection issue to I returned it. But I'm attesting for the original one that I bought back in 2010 I believe. It has two, small, silent fans that run quiet and a nice blue light that you can turn on/off.

Also, recently, I ended up going with this one Amazon.com: Mediasonic ProBox HF2-SU3S2 4 Bay 3.5" Hard Drive Enclosure - USB 3.0 & eSATA, Support SATA 3 6.0Gbps hard drive transfer rate: Electronics

I have two HDDs in there right now, and it can also operate just one. The cooling on this beast is awesome and it has 3 fan settings, including an auto setting.

 

[pcwin]

Thermaltake Max 5G Active Cooling Hard Drive Enclosure with Two 80mm Blue LED Fans USB 3.0 looks good, but it does not work with 4TB drive. I have a WD green 4TB that I wish to use in an enclosure.

That Mediasonic ProBox is too big. I just to put 1 disk.