I got a Maxtor 120GB HD w/8MB cache that I plan to use inside the enclosure. I am doing this to keep a backup of our PCs (we have 3 on the network). One PC has a firewire port so I decided to get the combo enclosure- and also so I don't feel like I have to upgrade later. My PC has a USB 1.1 connection. All PCs in the Network are some flavor of XP.

My main shopping criteria was to get the Oxford chip set and a cooling fan, and the USB/FW combo.

What do you think? Can I do better?

I found this one

Bytecc ME-720U2F Combo IDE to Firewire 1394/USB 2.0 External Enclosure for 3.5" Device, w/ Fan & AntiShock, Silver, Retail


The new ME-720 with Anti-Shock design makes 3.5" hard disk shock resistant and let it be a mobile storage device.

The enclosure with Screwless design makes it utterly user-friendly and very easy to install.

The enclosure with 30% higher power density makes its size small.

The enclosure uses a Dual output power supply to creat a cool environment, which considerably increases the life-span of hard disks.

Features:

***New Oxford Chipset (Firewire) and Ali Chipset (USB 2.0) supports up to 200GB Hard Drive!!***
Backwards compatible with USB 1.1
Fitting for 3.5" HDD/MO/ZIP/Jazz/LS-120
Work with both PC and Mac
Plug and Play , Hot-swappable connection
Support Windows 98SE/ME/2000/XP and Mac OS 8.6 or above
1 cooling fan included
Dimension (L x W x H) : 213 x 128 x 38mm
With 30Watt External Power Supply
AC input : 100 - 240V
DC output : +5V 1.5A / +12V 1.8A
1.75 inch fan installed internally on rear panel
PACKAGE CONTENTS

3 feet A-male to B-male USB cable(ME-720U2)(ME-720U2F)
3 feet 6-pin to 6-pin firewire cable (ME-720F)(ME-720U2F)
AC adapter with power cord
CD-ROM with drive setup software for Macintosh and Windows(ME-720U2)(ME-720U2F)
Quick Install guide
Compatible with:

Microsoft Windows XP
Microsoft Windows 2000 Professional
Microsoft Windows 98
Microsoft Windows Me
Mac OS 8.6 and up

Same case here? $49.99
PLUS whatever shipping?

http://www.compgeeks.com/details.asp?invtid=ME-720U2F

Ground ship is $7. there, so it's a dollar cheaper than my link. I haven't checked prices yet, though. Still trying to decide if this is what I want- is it good, etc.

Thanks basset

let us know what case you get :-)

Also from time to time Geeks offers coupon offers.

I resently purchased this one (coolmax HD-337-U2)


I have a 120gb Maxtor 2mb cache in it
NO cooling fan on the unit
I was worried about the drive getting very hot.
it is not an issue with this enclosure. It DOES get warm to the touch.

main reasons I purchased this unit was it size.
I did not want the 5.25 bay for CD drives...I just wanted it for HDD
I bring this unit with me almost everywhere now....atleast for the week that I have had it.

This unit you can get in USB2.0 or in FireWire (have not seen combo)
Purchased from Newegg for $43 shipped.
You would need to make needed upgrades if you wanted to use USB2

experience so far with this enclosure has been great....used it on XP Pro and Win2000 Pro, it finds hardware no problems (no driver install)

I have seen less expensive units for around $35 if you did NOT want a combo USB2 and FW

just giving some other options incase you decided against a combo drive.
I am sure you can find USB2 expansion card relitively inexpensive if you went this route.

polarbear, that is the coolest looking one I've seen..

I'm still on the fence.

I thought it was kewl tooooo

I was on the fence for a while between the ones with 5.25 bay because most of them had a fan.
I was really worried about heat.......read some of the reviews for this enclosure and some stated that it gets HOT.
I have only kept it mounted in the Vertical mount that comes with it.
I could see if it was lying flat on a desk that it would probably get even more hot.

Been extremely tickled with this unit!!!!
But I didnt have the delima of USB or FW....I dont have a FW port so I had that dicision made for me!!!

I have a FW enclosure... it does get warm, but it's also LOUD. Between the fan and the drive noise (maxtor fluid 8mb 7200) it makes quite a racket.

LOL! This is going to be an adventure! :lol:

opps