MACBOOK HD Enclosures !! (Update your Macbook HD)

Question

Level 1

125 points

MACBOOK HD Enclosures !! (Update your Macbook HD)

I have a question about the hd enclosures. Will the original MacBook drive work powered only by the USB connection in an enclosure to be operated as an external USA 2.0 HD?...Do you have any idea what is the power consuption in ma? (500ma, 900ma ??)

Thanks !!!

PS By the way a good place to get them is at www.cooldrives.com

MacBook Intel-Duo 2Ghz/512RAM/60Gb HD , PowerMac G4 MDD Dual 1.25GHz/1.5RAM, Mac OS X (10.4.7)

Posted on Jul 11, 2006 9:18 AM

Reply

Answer 1

Jul 11, 2006 10:45 AM in response to Macky

I have this one from USB Gear: SS-CGS-25K1
http://www.usbgear.com/ and it works with just the one USB cable and doesn't need the power connector. At least it doesn't need it on my Macbook.

Reply

Answer 2

Jul 11, 2006 11:28 AM in response to Macky

transintl.com is your best bet (your only bet at this point, afaik).

Reply

Answer 3

Macky Author

Level 1

125 points

Jul 11, 2006 11:45 AM in response to jouissance

Thank you all for your replies:
Just to clarify...so if you put your original MacBook 60Gb internal hard drive in an external USB2.0 Enclosure, it will work with no additional power other than USB right?

jouissance: I tried to look for the enclosures the website you recommended but I can't fin any...do you have any direct links to the product? Thanks

Reply

Answer 4

Jul 11, 2006 4:21 PM in response to Macky

"Just to clarify...so if you put your original MacBook 60Gb internal hard drive in an external USB2.0 Enclosure, it will work with no additional power other than USB right?"

Yes, that's correct, even though the cable has two USB connectors, one power and the other data. All I need to connect to the MacBook is the data connection.

Reply

Answer 5

Macky Author

Level 1

125 points

Jul 11, 2006 5:33 PM in response to Gregory Meach

thanks for your reply....which model exaclty did you get?

Reply

Answer 6

GwiDan

Level 1

116 points

Jul 11, 2006 5:51 PM in response to Macky

I'm also looking for an external enclosure, but can't seem to find one that features Firewire - a feature I'd like for the added functionality of being able to boot from Firewire drives on the MacBook. I don't think you can boot from USB.

Reply

Answer 7

dwb

Level 7

32,920 points

Jul 11, 2006 5:59 PM in response to GwiDan

Intel Macs will boot from USB

Reply

Answer 8

GwiDan

Level 1

116 points

Jul 11, 2006 6:23 PM in response to dwb

Really? That will certainly save me some money. Is it wise to steer clear of certain models of enclosures? I've seen a couple of nice looking aluminium items by searching Froogle.co.uk, but have no idea whether they're any good or not.

Reply

Answer 9

Jul 11, 2006 7:11 PM in response to GwiDan

Yes, Intel-based Macs definately boot from USB as well as FW. I have not heard anything aboout avoiding particular drives, so I can't help you there.

FW is still much faster for booting and cloning. I would still get a drive that has both USB and FW connections.

Reply

Answer 10

dwb

Level 7

32,920 points

Jul 11, 2006 7:22 PM in response to Eric Kracinski

FW is still much faster for booting and cloning

I can create situations where this is true but in real life the difference between USB 2 and FW aren't all that significant.

Reply

Answer 11

Jul 11, 2006 7:36 PM in response to Macky

just to clarify, most of your notebook drives put into enclosures will run without the additional power USB cable. really the only time it is needed is when running a high rpm drive.

Reply

Answer 12

Macky Author

Level 1

125 points

Jul 11, 2006 7:39 PM in response to Jonathan Coffman

What model of enclosures would you recommend and where have you found them...anybody???

Reply

Answer 13

mmike70

Level 2

324 points

Jul 11, 2006 7:53 PM in response to Macky

You already had your answer near the top of this thread.

Here's the direct link: http://www.usbgear.com/computercabledetails.cfm?sku=SS-CGS-25K1&cats=131&catid=2345%2C315%2C170%2C131%2C161

I'm using it with the 60gb drive that came with my macbook and it works great. As also mentioned above you need two usb ports to make it work, one for data and one for power.

White Macbook Mac OS X (10.4.7) 2.0GHz | 2GB RAM | 100GB 7200RPM HD

Reply

Answer 14

Jul 11, 2006 9:20 PM in response to dwb

I can create a situation where I am the Queen of England, but that doesn't mean it is true either - LOL!

USB is slower then FW. Period.

Real world - it is faster on my iMac and BlackBook to clone to and boot from the very same FW drive than to use that same drive's USB connection. Significantly.

Reply

Answer 15

Macky Author

Level 1

125 points

Jul 11, 2006 10:41 PM in response to mmike70

Thanks for your helpful answer Mike. I see you have the white 2.0Ghz MacBook with an 7200 RPM Drive...how's that working for you? How's the battery life? Any signs of overheating?

Also, I see you have 2Gb of RAM. Is there any particular RAM you would recommend, and a place where to get it?

Again thanks and sorry for missing the model....

Reply