I have a removable system on my PC. The brand is "In Close", whoever they are. The enclosures are about $12, and the receiver was about $20 (I think) from Fry's Electronics here in Oregon.

The receiver (or docking station, or whatever it's called) has a tiny muffin fan that serves to blow air into the drive enclosure from the right-rear side. About 6 months after installing the system, the fan failed, probably because it was a cheap sleeve design. It frankly made no difference to my drives, even to my Seagate 80GB 7200rpm drive that seems to run hot enough to fry bacon.

The only drawback to the removable drive system is that you need to power-down to do the swap. On the plus side, the things are dirt-cheap, and, from what I can tell after two years of use, utterly reliable. BTW I have 5 drives that I swap in and out.

We use the Genica product. It is fine, though of course, as others have mentioned, IDE is not hot swappable. Generally, I only activate the drive when needed, usually for backup and/or exchange purposes. But a person I work with has used them for years as primary drives without problem. I occassionally get some fan noise from my particular one, but I believe others have not.

cheers,
rross

There ARE difference. Aside from one brand NOT fitting into someone else's brand of "holder" or outer case, the connector at the back varies. Older models may only support IDE 33/66. Newer ones support IDE 100/133. So best to buy as many as you need all at once, all the same model so you don't have probelms "swaping" them around from PC to PC. Even the cheap plastic versions seem to be rock solid. I see no reason to get the more expensive aluminum versions, they may get rid of a bit more heat, but if that's what you're rellying on to cool things down, your computer case is probably too hot already anyway and you need more/bigger case fans.

I use the ones with the little front fan, key and led.
Plastic ones seem to work fine. I would however avoid the type that uses a point-pin arrangement to connect the tray to the fixed housing. The more preferred type looks like the end of a parallel printer cable connector.
Point to hole connections are not as reliable if you remove them often.

Shut down and care in handling is very important:

1) allow a count to 15 seconds after computer has shut down before handling drives.
2) Store them in a anti static bag or at least a paper bag to keep dust out.
3) Keep a sticker on the top and a log of the contents. Once you have ten or more you can go crazy if not labeled well.
4) Handle them like they are fragile glass.

I love them. It is the fastest way to move large files around.
I also offer to master projects intact, for re-editing ease, on a single drive for clients and pass along the cost.
I am now on a western digital run as my favorite manufacturer.
Maxtor is in the dog house at the moment.

JMHO
W

WATSON:

You mentioned a type with edge connectors.

What type and where do you get them?

You mentioned that Maxtor was not your favorite. Why? We use lots of them and have no problems.

I have a bunch of them too. The problem is they are inconsistent. They have been known to purchase third party drives and slap their name on them.
I don't like that Idea. So at the moment I am not buying them.

This is a personal thing I am not recommending What make drive to buy.

http://www.caseoutlet.com/Mobile_Rack/PD-01F-Vp-1_L.jpg
W

thanks for all of the feedback.

Hello, Watson:

Seems that the case you recommend will not utilize ATA 133. They DO have cases for ATA 133, at over twice the price, with no lock, and no handle, but with other not so well disclosed features (LCD screen, for what?) at $39. They also have a middle priced one for ATA 133, no LCD at $25.

Does anyone have any experience with these?

That was just for example of the connector in the back that I prefer.
You can shop around and pick the one you like. Their is not much difference.
Fan, led, ata spec and key.
I use -Mobile Rack- found at Microcenter. A computer chain in the east coast.

Just avoid the pin to hole type Drawer.

I personally wouldn't get steamed up over ATA133. Anything over ATA66 is marketing fluff, IMHO.