Looking for an external SATA HD case

[Ford Freak]

I am looking for a new external HD case.

Here are the must haves:
eSATA
aluminum case

Here are some things I would like it to have:
usb 2 and/or LAN connection
fan

I don't want one with a power connection that has something like 4 or 5 pins. I had a cable modem years ago with that type of connection and they are garbage. Here is an example of the type of power connection I want. It is the part labeled "DC in" obviously.

[CrowdAds]

[yamawho]

Check this out ...
http://www.abxzone.com/forums/f54/th...ck-112625.html

No eSATA but very cool.

[wonderwrench]

ToughTech XE is what I have been looking at. No fan though, using a newer drive should run fairly cool do to its aluminum construction. Only the XE has the type power connection you want. IMO the quality of the connector makes more difference than the type. WiebeTech Micro Storage Solutions - ToughTech™ Series - IDE or SATA and USB, FireWire, or eSATA External Hard Drive enclosure

[Acid8000]

I have an Antec MX-1 and am very happy with it, though fan noise may be a bit of an issue (hopefully you'll get a better one than I did). It does have a power supply with 5 pins, however I have found this to be better than the type you seem to prefer as then it does not need to convert 12 volts down to 5 volts in the case, thus keeping the drive case itself much cooler. The drive I keep in mine is actually ripped out of a Western Digital My Book which was horribly incompatible with my Intel onboard SATA. It had the type of power connector you prefer yet the drive was much hotter than the Antec even when taking into consideration the Antec's fan against the WD's passive cooling. It was absolutely unsuitable for Australia's hot summers. Unfortunately the Antec MX-1 doesn't exactly have an aluminium case but it sure remains cool.