External HD enclosure

[clemsontigerblah]

I realize this is probably a stupid question, but why do internal hard drive enclosures exist?

For instance, there exists USB to SATA adapters which can connect any internal SATA HD to PC by USB port which can also power the drive itself. Some of these also have power adapters included so even old 3.5 platter drives that can't be powered off of the USB are accessible. So why enclosures?

Is it a heat or electrical hazard issue? If so, why do they make the adapters by themselves?
Is it just to protect to physically protect the drive?
Are enclosures mainly used for the old 3.5 platter drives and don't really apply to modern 2.5 SSDs?

I tried to researching this but didn't really find any posts that addressed this, so please educate me. Thanks.

 

[SchizTech]

The first two conditions apply. Also, consider the risk of a cable coming off from a drive connected externally with no enclosure for protection. A sudden disconnection from the PC caused by this could lead to data corruption or the whole filesystem of the drive becoming unreadable. For regular use an enclosure is just more secure.

A bare SATA to USB converter I'd consider as a tool for on-demand use, particularly in cases where different drives may be needed. It's generally quicker to set up than installing a drive into an enclosure securely (but with greater risk from various factors).

 

[USAFRet]

Basically, 3 levels of "external connections.

1. bare cables. With or without a wall power connection. Potentially either SATA only, or IDE and SATA.
The bare drive sits on the desk.
Good for checking random drives that you come across
I have one.

2. USB dock. SATA, IDE, 3.5" 2.5"
A bit more secure than just bare cables.
Possibly dual drive. Some of them purport to be able to clone data from one drive to the other.
The drive goes in like bread in a toaster.
I have a single bay dock.

3. Actual enclosure.
USB, eSATA connection. Encloses the drive more.
Power from the wall.
1-4-8 drives bays are available.
I have a 4 bay enclosure.

 

[jsmithepa]

Cars don't really need the outer skin to run, but it's more comfortable for the passengers.

Once-off, testing, go bare, am sure you are not going to short anything.

A regular backup drive, give it an enclosure. SATA connectors (more delicate) are not designed to be plug/unplug repeatedly, USB is.

In between these two, there are DOCKS which look like a toaster, with more sturdy SATA connectors for u to plug in bared drives.