Should i use external drive power adapter?

[Tom Foolery]

i just got a 500GB HD and i put it in the external case i got so i can copy my HD to it. right now it's just plugged in via usb. the case however also came with a usb power adapter which has a usb in and out plus the power connecter

my question is do i need to use the power adapter or is it just fine to use the power it's already getting via usb

 

[synth3tik]

buss power will help drain the battery, beyond that your fine.

 

[skorpien]

I cloned my MB's internal HDD to an external in an enclosure using only the USB. Just make sure your computer stays plugged in. The adapter's only necessary for computers that don't have a powered USB port (or an underpowered one).