External HDD Enclosure dilema

[whiskacz]

I have this drive for a quite long time now

http://www.wdc.com/en/products/products.asp?DriveID=10

it was barely used and its in perfect condition , i would like to put it in external case and use it with my xbxo 360, pc and laptop, only problem is that I have problem choosing the enclosure, there are so many of them that vary by model, maker and hardware im confused

HDD info

WD Caviar

80 GB, 100 MB/s, 2 MB Cache, 7200 RPM

EIDE (Ultra ATA/100)

Big chance it will be formated as HFS+ partition

I've checked new egg but there is so much variety taht I'm totally confused

http://www.newegg.com/Store/SubCategory.as...rnal-Enclosures

Could anybody point me in the right direction with something that is rather a good not pricey product with suppport fo USB 2.0 and maybe fire wire ? or any tips by users who use external enclosures ? thanks !

[IcemanND]

First you can narrow your search dramatically if you add the rest of your requirements to you query at newegg.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList....e=1&bop=And

Second I've used Macally and Bytecc enclosures without issue. Though most of my 3.5 "external drives now were bought fully assembled.

[Kelsenellenelvian]

They are all pretty much the same just make sure you can fit your ide drive in there (In other words don't order a SATA one)

Just pick whatever one you like.

P.S. I have gotten a couple of them off of Ebay for people that needed them and they were new + very cheap...

New and under 20 bucks including shhipping... http://search.ebay.com/3-5-eide-case_W0QQc...PageNameZRC0021

[nmX.Memnoch]

If you plan on this drive running constantly get one with a fan. I have a SATA one attached to my DVR...which runs 24/7. I had an AZIO enclosure with a 300GB 7200.8 Seagate drive. It lasted about a year before it died (technically it still worked but the DVR started acting weird). I replaced it with a Rosewill that has a fan and a WD WD5000AAKS 500GB drive...no problems since.