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Mac Pro 6 hard drives + optical, Maxconnect, anything cheeper?

Don't but at the posted prices

Ask to sign up for their specials and wait for a discount offer.

I just wrote and did that. I won't pay $130 for $10 worth of parts.
 
TK2K said:
Hey,
So I'm looking to get 2 more hard drives in my mac pro, problem is I also want to keep the optical drive...


Only thing I found was this...
http://www.maxupgrades.com/istore/index.cfm?fuseaction=product.display&product_id=158
lets you add 2 more and keep optical, or add a total of four more, but it's $129 for an aluminum box...

Any suggestions from you guys? any cheeper product I'm just missing?

Thanks
Click to expand...

Get yourself access to a milling machine and made them yourself. Alternatively, create the brackets from a aluminium sheet.
 
That's pretty cool.. but why don't they have actually installed pictures? Only graphic overlays as far as I can tell.
 
NightSailor said:
Ask to sign up for their specials and wait for a discount offer.

I just wrote and did that. I won't pay $130 for $10 worth of parts.
Click to expand...

So, what kind of special did you get? Please let the rest of us know...

Does the maxconnect bracket use the Molex connector?
 
louden said:
So, what kind of special did you get? Please let the rest of us know...

Does the maxconnect bracket use the Molex connector?
Click to expand...

none at all, completely ignored by them
 
wheezy said:
That's pretty cool.. but why don't they have actually installed pictures? Only graphic overlays as far as I can tell.
Click to expand...


They are losers. I can only imagine they don't post pictures because there is nothing to them. No one would buy a $10 piece of sheet metal with a couple of screws with stand-offs for $130.

I'm interested in something like this. Perhaps we can make an offer for a joint purchase. Anyone else?
 
NightSailor said:

They are losers. I can only imagine they don't post pictures because there is nothing to them. No one would buy a $10 piece of sheet metal with a couple of screws with stand-offs for $130.

I'm interested in something like this. Perhaps we can make an offer for a joint purchase. Anyone else?
Click to expand...
Just use a DOA 5.25" optical drive. Worst case, buy one really cheap (second hand if possible). If you want stand-offs, there's plenty of places you can buy those, and they aren't that expensive either. ;) You'd need a tap and die set to thread the holes, but they're also rather inexpensive, especially if you only buy the size tap you need. (You can also just drill a hole, and add a nut, if you order the versions with longer threads).

In the end, it's definitely cheaper than the $130 the ready-made part goes for. ;)
 
Wild-Bill said:
$129.00 ?? :eek:

Man those MaxConnect folks must be on crack.
Click to expand...

So what do you think it is really worth, given the cost of parts, development, marketing, etc. for a system that someone who doesn't have a lot of time on their hands can quickly install?
 
Wanted to give this topic a bump and see if anyone knows of a cheaper solution. Paying $89 for a mounting bracket just seems silly.
 
ASFx said:
Wanted to give this topic a bump and see if anyone knows of a cheaper solution. Paying $89 for a mounting bracket just seems silly.
Click to expand...
No, not really. You'd have to DIY something, which is quite doable, and inexpensively as well. Look a couple of posts up. ;) Old CD/DVD drives (dead is ideal) are handy, but you can use other things as well (PCB material, sheet metal, even thin plywood from a hobby store). A bit more work (measuring and cutting), but not impossible to do.
 
nanofrog said:
No, not really. You'd have to DIY something, which is quite doable, and inexpensively as well. Look a couple of posts up. ;) Old CD/DVD drives (dead is ideal) are handy, but you can use other things as well (PCB material, sheet metal, even thin plywood from a hobby store). A bit more work (measuring and cutting), but not impossible to do.
Click to expand...

I've never made anything before in my life hah. I don't think that's an option. I don't have any tools, etc.

I was just looking for a decent way to put two hard drives under my optical drive without having to remove my optical drive. I suppose i could just set them in there on top of each other, but that could create heat issues.
 
ASFx said:
I've never made anything before in my life hah. I don't think that's an option. I don't have any tools, etc.

I was just looking for a decent way to put two hard drives under my optical drive without having to remove my optical drive. I suppose i could just set them in there on top of each other, but that could create head issues.
Click to expand...
It's not hard to do.

You'd need a Phillips screwdriver, and a drill with a small bit (1/8" will do). If you use plastic or wood, you'd need a hacksaw as well. Not expensive, and you can possibly borrow this stuff, especially the drill (a cheap 1/4" electric us under $20USD last I looked). Screwdriver can be had for under $5, and the bit for $2.

Even if you have to buy the tools, it's cheaper than a ready-made solution. Otherwise, you're going to have to deal with the price such products sell for, as it's a niche market.
 
I paid for the sledges because I don't time or patience to make them myself. But the money was in the account and I could justify it.
 
alphaod said:
I paid for the sledges because I don't time or patience to make them myself. But the money was in the account and I could justify it.
Click to expand...
By the tone of ASFx's post, I took the impression the funds are an issue (can't stand the idea of spending that much on such a simple item rather than the availability of funds).

For limited time, buying a ready-made solution makes sense. But if the time isn't an issue, and funds are, then making something is a strong alternative. It doesn't have to be pretty, as it's hidden away in the case. ;)
 
indy1979 said:
Would you consider eSata?

http://www.newertech.com/products/esata_cable.php

Sam
Click to expand...
Assuming that's the case, maybe an eSATA card would be a better idea (SIL3132 cards can be had for ~$25USD; Silicon Image produced OS X drivers), as they can boot Windows drives as well (ODD_SATA ports in '06 - '08 systems work with OS X drives, but can't deal with Windows disks, BC or otherwise).

If booting OS X is desired, the ODD_SATA ports make much more sense, as they can. Inexpensive eSATA card's can't (no EFI firmware). There's only one eSATA card that can boot OS X, and it's $229USD at OWC (Highpoint eSATA for Mac). Not exactly cheap. ;)
 
ASFx said:
Wanted to give this topic a bump and see if anyone knows of a cheaper solution. Paying $89 for a mounting bracket just seems silly.
Click to expand...

to some users, it isn't silly. to some it is tough to justify such cost.

back to your request for a cheaper solution. have a read at this rather famous diy rig - link
you should be able to modify it to suit your needs.

p.s. comes with free popsicles, well not totally free, you still have to pay for them unless you are resourceful enough to get lots of the somewhere ;)
 
I have not come up with a great solution to this yet :(
 
sidewinder said:
Look at the Pro Caddy 2 here:

http://www.transintl.com/store/category.cfm?Category=2761&RequestTimeOut=500

The $69 price seems more reasonable.

S-
Click to expand...


It is about $100 for the 2008 version after shipping. I bought this from them along with a bunch of sleds. I am perfectly happy with the products. You are likely paying a 500%+ markup, but it is what it is. The Pro Caddy 2 is a nice solution. Not mentioned, the 3.5" version (which I bought for more options) has mounts for 2.5" drives. Doing it again, I would have done the same thing and bought it.
 
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