Options for External Hard Drive for PS4

[CluelessPS4user]

Now that PS4 supports external hard drives, I'd like to upgrade my hard drive, but wanted to ask this first...

In the external hard drive market, it looks like you have two basic options (for purposes of my question, let's assume these are your only options): 1. Buy an external hard drive that comes in a case, or 2. Buy a hard drive that doesn't have a case and then buy some $15 Inatek case and drop the hard drive in it.

Option #2 seems to be quite a bit cheaper, even when dealing with slightly better hard drives (e.g. a 7200 RPM vs. 5400 RPM). Also, it looks really easy to put the hard drive in a case, so I can't imagine that would be a reason not to go with this option.

So, is there any reason in particular to go with option #1 assuming both will be powered by the USB and not an external source?

 

[harrisjb78]

The only reason to go with #1 is convenience.

 

[ArtPog]

First of all your comment that "both (USB external drives) will be powered by the USB" is not entirely correct. While it is true that if the drive is a 2.5" HDD or SSD ordinarily it will be powered by the USB interface. But if you're using a 3.5" HDD (normally a desktop PC drive) the USB external enclosure device will need an A/C power adapter.

You might be interested in the following we've prepared for members of out computer club who are considering purchasing a USB external HDD...

In our opinion PC users would be much better served by purchasing a USB external enclosure + a HDD/SSD for their backup/storage strategies rather than a commercial "one-piece" unit.

The advantages of doing so are significant. First of all, virtually any USBEHD enclosure you purchase will accommodate both 2 1/2" & 3 1/2" drives. That's a real advantage. Then you can purchase the HDD (or SSD) YOU want, not the HDD that's usually installed in the commercial product. Rest assured the drive you purchase will invariably prove superior to the commercial product. And you can select whatever disk capacity YOU want. Another advantage is that the HDD you install in the USBEHD can always be easily removed and installed in a PC should that need arise.

Still another significant advantage is the fact that by using a separate USBEHD enclosure + HDD (or SSD) you will have UNLIMITED capability to utilize any number of different HDDs/SSDs for whatever purpose(s) you deem necessary or desirable. So you achieve an enormous degree of flexibility by purchasing the separate components referred to.

All in all there are really no downsides to purchasing a USBEHD + HDD in comparison to purchasing a commercial one-piece product. And you will have an enormous choice as to the USB enclosure that appeals to you. One type is the so-called "docking station", see for example http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&DEPA=0&Order=BESTMATCH&Description=blacx&N=-1&isNodeId=1
and there are literally scores of other models you can peruse.

There are plenty of other types of enclosures. Right now, as an example, we're using the ORICO 6518US3-V1-US model, a USB3.0 external USB 3.0 device that accommodates both 2.5" & 3.5" drives. See...
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=9SIA1DS0FR8421&utm_medium=Email&utm_source=EXPRESS072316&cm_mmc=EMC-EXPRESS072316-_-EMC-072316-Index-_-HardDriveEnclosures-_-9SIA1DS0FR8421-S2A1D
Again, an enormous number of different models are available. You can peruse the offerings of online vendors such as Newegg & Amazon & others.

These USB external enclosures of one type or another are frequently on sale and generally obtainable at modest prices.

And it's simplicity itself to install and/or reinstall a HDD or SSD in & out of a USB external enclosure - whatever the type.

We should mention that many users employ a SATA-to-USB adapter device for connecting a SATA HDD or SSD to a USB port. Here's a sampling of those type of devices...
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&DEPA=0&Order=BESTMATCH&Description=sata+to+usb+adapters&N=-1&isNodeId=1

 

[Kimmy_1]

First of all your comment that "both (USB external drives) will be powered by the USB" is not entirely correct. While it is true that if the drive is a 2.5" HDD or SSD ordinarily it will be powered by the USB interface. But if you're using a 3.5" HDD (normally a desktop PC drive) the USB external enclosure device will need an A/C power adapter.

You might be interested in the following we've prepared for members of out computer club who are considering purchasing a USB external HDD...

In our opinion PC users would be much better served by purchasing a USB external enclosure + a HDD/SSD for their backup/storage strategies rather than a commercial "one-piece" unit.

The advantages of doing so are significant. First of all, virtually any USBEHD enclosure you purchase will accommodate both 2 1/2" & 3 1/2" drives. That's a real advantage. Then you can purchase the HDD (or SSD) YOU want, not the HDD that's usually installed in the commercial product. Rest assured the drive you purchase will invariably prove superior to the commercial product. And you can select whatever disk capacity YOU want. Another advantage is that the HDD you install in the USBEHD can always be easily removed and installed in a PC should that need arise.

Still another significant advantage is the fact that by using a separate USBEHD enclosure + HDD (or SSD) you will have UNLIMITED capability to utilize any number of different HDDs/SSDs for whatever purpose(s) you deem necessary or desirable. So you achieve an enormous degree of flexibility by purchasing the separate components referred to.

All in all there are really no downsides to purchasing a USBEHD + HDD in comparison to purchasing a commercial one-piece product. And you will have an enormous choice as to the USB enclosure that appeals to you. One type is the so-called "docking station", see for example http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&DEPA=0&Order=BESTMATCH&Description=blacx&N=-1&isNodeId=1
and there are literally scores of other models you can peruse.

There are plenty of other types of enclosures. Right now, as an example, we're using the ORICO 6518US3-V1-US model, a USB3.0 external USB 3.0 device that accommodates both 2.5" & 3.5" drives. See...
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=9SIA1DS0FR8421&utm_medium=Email&utm_source=EXPRESS072316&cm_mmc=EMC-EXPRESS072316-_-EMC-072316-Index-_-HardDriveEnclosures-_-9SIA1DS0FR8421-S2A1D
Again, an enormous number of different models are available. You can peruse the offerings of online vendors such as Newegg & Amazon & others.

These USB external enclosures of one type or another are frequently on sale and generally obtainable at modest prices.

And it's simplicity itself to install and/or reinstall a HDD or SSD in & out of a USB external enclosure - whatever the type.

We should mention that many users employ a SATA-to-USB adapter device for connecting a SATA HDD or SSD to a USB port. Here's a sampling of those type of devices...
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&DEPA=0&Order=BESTMATCH&Description=sata+to+usb+adapters&N=-1&isNodeId=1

i can confirm that docking station doesnt work with ps4

source: i own both ps4 and orico, tried and storage detected by ps4 but got error message when i try to format the HD (usb storage lost ce-37856-9)

 

[ArtPog]

First of all your comment that "both (USB external drives) will be powered by the USB" is not entirely correct. While it is true that if the drive is a 2.5" HDD or SSD ordinarily it will be powered by the USB interface. But if you're using a 3.5" HDD (normally a desktop PC drive) the USB external enclosure device will need an A/C power adapter.

You might be interested in the following we've prepared for members of out computer club who are considering purchasing a USB external HDD...

In our opinion PC users would be much better served by purchasing a USB external enclosure + a HDD/SSD for their backup/storage strategies rather than a commercial "one-piece" unit.

The advantages of doing so are significant. First of all, virtually any USBEHD enclosure you purchase will accommodate both 2 1/2" & 3 1/2" drives. That's a real advantage. Then you can purchase the HDD (or SSD) YOU want, not the HDD that's usually installed in the commercial product. Rest assured the drive you purchase will invariably prove superior to the commercial product. And you can select whatever disk capacity YOU want. Another advantage is that the HDD you install in the USBEHD can always be easily removed and installed in a PC should that need arise.

Still another significant advantage is the fact that by using a separate USBEHD enclosure + HDD (or SSD) you will have UNLIMITED capability to utilize any number of different HDDs/SSDs for whatever purpose(s) you deem necessary or desirable. So you achieve an enormous degree of flexibility by purchasing the separate components referred to.

All in all there are really no downsides to purchasing a USBEHD + HDD in comparison to purchasing a commercial one-piece product. And you will have an enormous choice as to the USB enclosure that appeals to you. One type is the so-called "docking station", see for example http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&DEPA=0&Order=BESTMATCH&Description=blacx&N=-1&isNodeId=1
and there are literally scores of other models you can peruse.

There are plenty of other types of enclosures. Right now, as an example, we're using the ORICO 6518US3-V1-US model, a USB3.0 external USB 3.0 device that accommodates both 2.5" & 3.5" drives. See...
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=9SIA1DS0FR8421&utm_medium=Email&utm_source=EXPRESS072316&cm_mmc=EMC-EXPRESS072316-_-EMC-072316-Index-_-HardDriveEnclosures-_-9SIA1DS0FR8421-S2A1D
Again, an enormous number of different models are available. You can peruse the offerings of online vendors such as Newegg & Amazon & others.

These USB external enclosures of one type or another are frequently on sale and generally obtainable at modest prices.

And it's simplicity itself to install and/or reinstall a HDD or SSD in & out of a USB external enclosure - whatever the type.

We should mention that many users employ a SATA-to-USB adapter device for connecting a SATA HDD or SSD to a USB port. Here's a sampling of those type of devices...
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&DEPA=0&Order=BESTMATCH&Description=sata+to+usb+adapters&N=-1&isNodeId=1

i can confirm that docking station doesnt work with ps4

source: i own both ps4 and orico, tried and storage detected by ps4 but got error message when i try to format the HD (usb storage lost ce-37856-9)

Thanks for the info. I failed to realize that the OP's reference to ps4 referred to Play Station 4, a unit with which I haven't had any experience. I mistakenly assumed he/she was referring to a PC. I'll keep your info in mind.