So you’ve got a new SSD for your lap top and you’re just loving life in the fast lane. But what to do with that old hard drive. It likely still has plenty of years left on it before you start loosing sectors. Selling it on eBay is an option but it looks like everyone is already doing that. The resale values are only worth a small fraction of what you paid for it new. Here are two options for you to recycle your hardware: 1- is an external single drive case and 2 – a mini RAID case.
The smaller device is a self powered USB 3 enclosure that houses your SATA drive. This one cost me just under $10 from my local computer store. If you look around you should be able to hunt down one of these that also offers eSATA hookup for around $15. By far this is the easiest way to recycle your you old drive. It only requires two small screws for assembly. My kit even came with a little Philips screw driver.
The second option is a good bit bigger but it’s made to hold to drives and run them in a RAID configuration of your choice. Since I had a pair 1/2 TB drives this was very appealing at under $50. The size is small enough that I can take it with me on local assignments or long trips. This unit is support the newer versions of USB 3. It can be powered by included AC wall adapter or a second USB plug for power only. That USB to power cable is also included.
Even tough the SSD drives are far superior to traditional HD, when a SSD drive dies it seems to be harder to recover you data. The upside to your old HD is the data is likely still on the platters. If nothing else consider keeping your old HD as a backup to your SSD. Loss and recovery of digital images can be extremely costly. It seems a reasonable investment to create another backup tool.
Since our studio is in Bryn Mawr, I use the local Micro Center in St. Davids when buying hardware. I find it a better option to some of the faceless online only stores. Again, no connection with the brand nor management.