OWC Now Offers 200GB Drive Enclosures with eSATA Port
Other World Computing (OWC) continues to roll out these attractive antiperspirant container-like enclosures with 2.5-inch drives shoehorned inside, taking its three-way drive we mentioned a couple of weeks ago to the next level with external SATA (eSATA) connectivity. Available in capacities from 80GB to 200GB, we’d recommend that 160-gig model ($260) that spins at 7200RPM.
The downside?
These much-faster (1.5Gbit/s for eSATA vs. 480Mbit/s for USB 2.0) eSATA ports aren’t bus powered, so you’ll have to plug in a wall wart for power. But if you want to avoid that, go with its USB 2.0 bus-powered port that lets you connect it with just a USB cable.
We have one of these OWC acrylic enclosures here, and actually like its clean, crystalline appearance, but we long for that internal hard disk-like eSATA speed.
Product Page [Other World Computing]
Comments (AU Comments | US Comments)
Where can you buy these in Australia? I’d like to get a 250GB/ 320GB one for my G4 powerbook. I was actually wondering whether I could exchange the hard drive inside the case for the hard drive inside my Mac and use the (previously)Mac one as a portable with a firewire interface. I’ve heard of people having trouble powering up these drives with USB 2.0 alone. Firewire seems to be the way to go. Any hints?