hdd usb attachment? Do they sell them without external enclosures?

[shateredsoul]

I'm looking to buy those chipsets that connect to harddrives so you can connect to usb. They usually come with cases as external enclosures (if you open an external drive you'll see it, you can use this chipset, or whatever it's called, to connect any other hdd by usb). I just want to buy the chipset, any idea what I should google to find these things? or a good place to buy them? I'd prefer one for usb 3.0

[Donkbaca]

newegg, tiger direct or ebay.  search for USB to SATA/IDE adapter.  They are like 20 bucks or less

[shateredsoul]

hmm shouldn't there be a cheaper option? Plus a lot of those require a ribbon to connect to the hdd, I'd prefer it to connect directly. Something like this but without the case (check out the included chord)

http://www.dealextreme.com/p/a-836-2-5-usb-esata-external-hdd-enclosure-46985

[Donkbaca]

THe one I have has a cord that has a usb port on one end and an IDE/SATA port on the other end. The ide port plugs straight into the back of an ide drive, the sata has a short sata cable. There is also a wall wart with a molex connector to power the drive.  Should find one for under 20 bucks with shipping. 

[shateredsoul]

ah nice, what's the brand?

I also found these seagate goflex for 2.5 hdd drives, that may work. They even have an esata and usb 3.0 version. It would be nice if they coudl make a esata usb 3.0 combo.

I I do prefer the larger 3.5 drives though.

http://www.google.com/products/catalog?q=go+flex+usb+2.0&um=1&ie=UTF-8&tbm=shop&cid=18359180877652324769&sa=X&ei=3_PTTcfCFIyksQP9qPCyCQ&ved=0CIMBEPMCMAU&biw=1280&bih=675#scoring=tp

[J_K_M_A_N]

This is pretty much what I have (but a different brand). Works quite well for hooking up externally just to get stuff off of it.

J_K_M_A_N

[RayB]

Hmm... when I was shopping for one a few years ago it was difficult to find one, and what I finally did find cost much more than $20. (Maybe because I needed it to support IDE?)

http://www.vantecusa.com/en/product/pro_list/93

[Howard_Casto]

Just for the record, you can generally get one with an enclosure for the same price as one without.  It just makes more sense to get one with the enclosure so that you'll get more for your money.  You can always take the guts out if you don't need the enclosure itself.

[NiN^_^NiN]

Search for HDD dock they are great little devices you can even go overboard and get ones like this

They usually support 2.5" and 3.5" drives

I've seen one that supports IDE and Sata for both 2.5" and 3.5" for about $25 and it's usb 3.0

[shateredsoul]

Thanks everyone! I just needed something I could carry around with me. That dock is crazy though.

[javeryh]

This is pretty much what I have (but a different brand). Works quite well for hooking up externally just to get stuff off of it.

J_K_M_A_N

These things can be had off of eBay for like $3 shipped.  I bought one to access some laptop HDDs and it works great.