can you build a powerless external HD?

Discussion in 'Buying Tips and Advice' started by 4fingered, Oct 21, 2008.

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  1. 4fingered, Oct 21, 2008

    4fingered macrumors member

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    #1
    Would it be possible to build an external HD that didn't have it's own power supply and just used power from your computer through FW 800? It's a pain dragging around the extra cord and power supply.
     
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  2. MasterNile, Oct 21, 2008

    MasterNile macrumors 65816

    MasterNile

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    #2
    Yes you can get power from a FW800 port, they have external enclosures on macsales.com, I don't know if you're looking for a 2.5" or a 3.5" enclosure but here's a decent 2.5" enclosure
     
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  3. Darth.Titan, Oct 21, 2008

    Darth.Titan macrumors 68030

    Darth.Titan

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    #3
    I'm pretty sure it's going to have to be a 2.5" drive if it is going to be bus-powered by USB or Firewire. The 3.5" drives draw too much juice.

    Someone please correct me if I'm wrong.
     
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  4. 4fingered, Oct 21, 2008

    4fingered thread starter macrumors member

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    #4
    2.5 is what I'm looking for anyway. thanks for the quick response guys. I see these drives are made of plastic. Is there a chance of the drive overheating not being in a metal enclosure? another quick question. You don't know if they make any good 7200rpm 2.5" 500GB drives yet do they?
     
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  5. chris200x9, Oct 21, 2008

    chris200x9 macrumors 6502a

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    #5
    as far as I can tell from a quick look at newegg the only 500gb ones are 5400
     
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  6. 4fingered, Oct 21, 2008

    4fingered thread starter macrumors member

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    #6
    yeah that's all I could spot too. I guess we'll have to wait a bit longer for those.
     
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  7. 4fingered, Oct 22, 2008

    4fingered thread starter macrumors member

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    #7
    so is heat not a problem with this external enclosure? also is there anything a bit cheaper that doesn't need a powersupply
     
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