HD Enclosure--Internal or external power supply?

[GarySport]

I plan to use a 3.5" HD in an external USB enclosure. For about the same price
I can get a combo 3.5'/5.25" case with internal power supply and fan, versus a
dedicated 3.5" case with external power supply and no fan (am I correct the fan
is only necessary for internal power supply?). Anyway, does it make much
difference in the long run of choosing int. or ext. power supply, and what is
most preferred? Thanks for info.

GS

 

[Chris Hill]

I plan to use a 3.5" HD in an external USB enclosure. For about the same price
I can get a combo 3.5'/5.25" case with internal power supply and fan, versus a
dedicated 3.5" case with external power supply and no fan (am I correct the fan
is only necessary for internal power supply?). Anyway, does it make much
difference in the long run of choosing int. or ext. power supply, and what is
most preferred? Thanks for info.

Get the fan, helps cool the drive as well. Also saves on the amount
of crap hanging around your desk.

 

[Rod Speed]

I plan to use a 3.5" HD in an external USB enclosure. For about the
same price I can get a combo 3.5'/5.25" case with internal power
supply and fan, versus a dedicated 3.5" case with external power supply
and no fan (am I correct the fan is only necessary for internal power supply?).

Dud assumption. Quite a few drives get stinking
hot in those small external cases without a fan.

Anyway, does it make much difference in the
long run of choosing int. or ext. power supply,

Nope, its just a mechanical convenience
not having to cart the wall wart around etc.

and what is most preferred?

Both are fine if you dont move it around much.

Internal can be more convenient if you do move it around much.

 

[Rod Speed]

The brand I'm considering, Plumax, has a 30-day warranty on the one
with internal power supply and fan, and a 1-year warranty on the one
with ext. power supply and no fan. Which makes sense I guess since
the fan is probably the most likely thing to fail. Even with the meager
30-day warranty, sounds like its better to have the fan. I'm just curious
if they are prone to failure though, thus the short warranty?

Yeah, those shitty little fans often dont last very long.

 

[Chris Hill]

The brand I'm considering, Plumax, has a 30-day warranty on the one with
internal power supply and fan, and a 1-year warranty on the one with ext. power
supply and no fan. Which makes sense I guess since the fan is probably the
most likely thing to fail. Even with the meager 30-day warranty, sounds like
its better to have the fan. I'm just curious if they are prone to failure
though, thus the short warranty?

Probably, but if you have a place for a fan you can buy something
that'll last and put there.