Thread: New USB powered 20/40 GB hard drive

Originally Posted by random0000

Didn't find this in the forums so I thought I would post it ;-)

Apricorn makes 2 drives that run completely off a USB port. http://apricorn.com/product_details.php?ID=412

They're not the only ones, and this is hardly new.
Lots of companies make a USB enclosure for hard drives (both 2.5" and 3.5" form factor) that pull 5v power from the USB port. Supply your own HDD.

I read a review of an enclosure that includes a rechargable battery int he enclosure, as well.

Originally Posted by random0000

Yes but this hard drive is MADE to be run from the USB port. It also has been certified by the USB-IF, has a high G rating, and is much lighter than other drives of the same size.

The problem with the enclosures is that some drives require more power than the usb port can provide to spin up the platters. And if you notice on a lot of the descriptions for these enclosures, the manufacturer has disclaimers that this may not work with all drives.

As for being hardly new, this product just came out this month I believe and the sharing of information is what makes these forums great.

So here ya go!

It's also a smaller drive, I see (1.8").
That certification doesn't mean a whole lot. It basically means that it conforms to the USB specs, thus allowing them to utilize the official USB logos on their products:


If you've ever been in a best buy, there's LOTS of products that have the logo, hence certified by USB-IF, Inc. It doesn't mean much...
And it's some propaganda for the unknowing to buy into...

The only difference is the Apricorn unit utilizes a smaller 1.8", low-power hard drive from Hitachi that will spin up using only the 5v power fromt eh USB connection. Most hard drives need more power than the USB connection can supply to spin up. once it's spinning, it runs just fine off the USB power.
The 40GB version is $131.25 at NewEgg: http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduc...146-214&depa=0.
Put it into a $30 USB enclosure, and you've spent less than the 20GB Apricorn. Granted, it's larger, admittedly, but hey.... It's CHEAP!