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crowe-t

macrumors 6502
Original poster
Feb 7, 2014
333
77
Satellite Of Love
Can someone recommend a Firewire 800 external hard drive enclosure for a 3.5" drive?

I'm not sure what brands/models are best.
 
I've been pleased with enclosures by Oyen Digital and also Macally. I give the Oyen Digital ones the edge, but the Macally ones have been OK.

I think OWC has some, but I haven't used theirs.
 
I have a NewerTech miniStack which works very well for me. I also like that it has a FW400 port that I use to plug in my old FW400 devices into an new machine without that port.
 
I've owned 2 OWC enclosures (Mercury Elite Al Pro) and they both performed flawlessly. I got them a few years ago so I got the multi-port one that had USB 2.0, FW400/800 and esata, but if there is a newer model, I would get one with a USB 3.0 port just for the added flexibility.
 
Some reviews I've read regarding the NewerTech miniStack say it's fan is noisy. Is this true?

How is OWC's return policy? I few review said they only refund 50% of the money.
 
OWC and inXtron/Macpower/Akitio have good fanless aluminium enclosures.
 
I forgot about the NewerTech box. I have one and it's been a good. No fan noise problems with mine.

What model is it that you have?

BTW, I need the enclosure for an existing Hard Drive that already has files on it. I basically want to plug my hard drive in and be done.

Will the Ministack allow this?
 
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I don't know about the Macally, but I've got 7 of the OWC enclosures, most are 3 years old or older, and they worked fine. 4 of them are connected to my Mac mini server and run 24/7.
 
From having both a MacAlly and OWC enclosure, both without issues, I'd say go following your heart, or pick randomly.
 
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