Ok, here is what I want to do. I have a 3.5" Desktop Hard Drive that I want to use as an external Hard Drive for my laptop. I was just wondering which external hard drive enclosure is best supported by linux and also most liked by its customers.

If possible I would like a description of why they like the brand they choose. So far I have only looked on newegg: http://www.newegg.com/Store/SubCateg...nal-Enclosures

Let me know your opinions please.

Thanks,
DragonM15

Used three different ones in the past with no problems. I would look for one locally if posible so if you have an issue you can return it. But I doubt you would have any problems. But the best way is to use a 2.0 USB controller and a 2.0 USB enclosure. One can have issues when mixing 1.0 and 2.0 devices.

Brian

Alright. I was looking at USB 2.0.. I wouldn't go with 1.0, too slow Is there a brand that you would recommend for quality wise if not for Linux support wise?

Thanks,
DragonM15

I have a couple of Vantec Nexstar enclosures (Seagate PATA drives). They are solidly built and I think the heavy aluminium case helps keep the drive cool.

But the main reason I like this enclosure is that it is possible to spin down the disk when inactive, as described here:

http://www.nslu2-linux.org/wiki/FAQ/...wnUSBHarddisks

It's likely this works on many other enclosure/disk combos, but it's not easy to find this sort of information.

I've got a Dynex enclosure(Best Buy brands), they are aluminum, heavy, and well built. Also set my sister up with one. I like them. I think I paid about $40 each(this was before you could get them for $10-15 anywhere)... One has a 500gig drive, and an 80gig drive, and they have worked great.

Ive also got one of these enclosures with an 80gig drive. Again, works great, no problems.


http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...9&Sku=ULT31310

(That link also has an interesting flash video on how to set one of these enclosures up. The setup will pretty much be the same for any enclosure)

As long as you format your drive in a filesystem linux can read, it probably won't matter what enclosure you get.

IGF

I really like the look of this one. However I am curious about the lights. Are they too bright? They look like they would be.

Thanks,
DragonM15

Nice looking case. Nice for both USB and Firewire. Watch the video on the page and hard to say exactly how bright.

Brian

I just edited that wiki to add the NexStar3 in. I can spin it down with sg_start 0 --pc=2

The Vantec case is nice. All aluminum housing does in fact keep the drive reasonably cool. At least, my 320Gig Seagate isn't heating up much in the case. My one complaint about the case is that it has a big blue light in the front to show activity. I would much prefer a small and unobtrusive light.