I hear lots of concern about whether 3.5" portable HDDs are really sufficiently dependable to use as a backup solution. I've had no problems, but then I don't buy mystery packages. I choose my drive and I choose my enclosure. Here's what's worked for me.
Drives:
I use server-grade drives, typically Seagate Barracuda ES or ES.2. Seagate claims a 10x improvement in unrecoverable error rate compared with their desktop drives. MTBF is 1.2 million hours. Warranty is five years.
Drive Enclosures:
I use the MacAlly PHR-100 SU enclosures. These take SATA drives and have both a USB and a SATA connector. The drive is somewhat vibration-isolated from the enclosure by silicone-rubber donuts at each mountpoint. Note that the SATA connector is not eSATA, but the enclosures come with an adapter for connecting to eSATA cables.
Once you get the hang of it, you can mount a drive in an enclosure in about six minutes.
Carrying cases:
For transporting the drives, a $15 foam-filled pistol case works great.
<http://www.midsouthshooterssupply.com/item.asp?sku=00008811>
They're way lighter than Pelican cases, and way cheaper too. Three layers of foam; just make a cutout in the center layer to fit your drive. Sooner or later the drive is gonna get dropped or tossed in somebody's trunk. The pistol case takes away the worry.
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2 comments:
any concerns from static electricity from the foam not being the pink / anti static type?
Hasn't been a problem. Might be a problem with a bare naked HDD, but the enclosure seems to be an effective Faraday cage.
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