can I swap data by use of external hard drive enclosure.

[ThrashZone]

The only problem is if she ever wanted to use a 3.5 hdd she would need another enclosure
Not sure why everyone points to 2.5 only size enclosures but it is limited in use

3.5 hdds are a bit better imho and come in larger storage sizes that I'm aware of.

 

[strollin]

If she gets a 3.5" drive sometime in the future that she wants to use, she can get a 3.5" enclosure for it then. Most people don't swap drives in and out of enclosures so it makes more sense for her to get an enclosure that fits the drive she has.

The point I was trying to make and why I personally suggested she get a 2.5" drive enclosure is because if she got an enclosure that handled both 2.5 and 3.5 " drives, it would require an external power adapter whereas a 2.5" enclosure could be powered directly from a USB port.

For those that do swap drives frequently, there are better solutions such as a dock or USB adapter cable or even swappable drive bays.

... 3.5 hdds are a bit better imho and come in larger storage sizes that I'm aware of.

The largest capacity drive announced thus far is this 2.5", 16TB ssd from Samsung: Samsung 16TB SSD is the World's Largest Hard Drive

 

[ThrashZone]

Why is the largest ssd relevant to accessing a hdd for exterior storage

Heck I would of just stuck with what Thelma had first posted with the little firewire = 2usb ports and one data connector no enclosure needed.
Which by the way would of worked with a 3.5 hdd too

 

[ThrashZone]

Can I buy this, will that do the job ? Amazon.com: ezDISK EZ123 USB to SATA converter adapter 2.5inch support up to 2TB hard drive: Computers & Accessories

Here it is pretty straight forward and will work for either size hdd's
Get it

 

[strollin]

Why is the largest ssd relevant to accessing a hdd for exterior storage
...

It's extremely relevant since you stated that 3.5" drives have higher capacities which i snot true since the claimed largest capacity drive in the world is a 2.5".

Can I buy this, will that do the job ? Amazon.com: ezDISK EZ123 USB to SATA converter adapter 2.5inch support up to 2TB hard drive: Computers & Accessories

Here it is pretty straight forward and will work for either size hdd's
Get it

Unfortunately, it will ONLY work for 2.5" drives because it doesn't come with the required external power supply to work with 3.5" drives. That's why it states that it's for 2.5" drives right in the title.

It will certainly work fine for Thelma's use though.

 

[ThrashZone]

Yep well it was available locally no shipping costs besides the old heal-toe express charges

 

[whs]

Can I buy this, will that do the job ? Amazon.com: ezDISK EZ123 USB to SATA converter adapter 2.5inch support up to 2TB hard drive: Computers & Accessories

Here it is pretty straight forward and will work for either size hdd's
Get it

At that price I would vote for that too. Just be aware that you will need 2 USB ports to run it and one port should be native (not from a hub) because it has to supply the power.

 

[thelma]

Thanks all for much help, I was gonna order it and looked at the costumer reviews mainly because of the poor rating ( 2 1/2 out of 5 ). It looks like I better buy one off the articles mentioned underneath.

OR buy 2 straight away, in case one does not work

I am not in a hurry with this, ( but for sure need to buy it), because now the data of the DELL to go on the HP have to wait a while. I will first gonna do a clean install on the HP.

Therefor I am at the moment reading EVERYTHING I can find about a clean instal on this forum and luckily there is lots

Cheers,
Thelma

 

[ThrashZone]

Yep the little devices use a different connection Thelma
The twin usb cable you posted is the same if not more straight forward and good enough

You can get a better enclosure later

 

[thelma]

Think of getting this, better consumers review. Amazon.com: Sabrent Ultra Slim USB 2.0 to 2.5-Inch SATA External Aluminum Hard Drive Enclosure [Black] (EC-UK25): Computers & Accessories those low prices it is more important to get something that will work

 

[whs]

Those aluminum cases are cheap everywhere. But I would still opt for this one - it is more versitile and easier to handle.

ORICO 6619US3-BK SuperSpeed USB 3.0 to SATA Hard Drive Docking Station for 2.5" and 3.5" HDD, SSD [8TB Support] - Newegg.com

 

[strollin]

Thelma - ask yourself whether you need an enclosure just for the drive you have now or do you plan to use it with many drives in the future? If you want something just for the drive you have now then the inexpensive Sabrent enclosure will work fine for you. If you think you will need to work with several different drives in the future then the Dock that whs recommended is what you want.