Get an external hard-drive enclosure for $5.95

Unlike most drive enclosures, this one has a built-in USB cable.

(Credit: Froobi)

If you've ever upgraded the hard drive in your laptop (or thought about doing so), you've probably wondered what to do with the old drive. After all, it's still perfectly good storage.

Answer: Turn it into an external, USB hard drive. All you need is an enclosure, a sturdy casing for the drive that provides an IDE interface and USB connection.

Today only, deal-a-day site Froobi has a SimpleTech 2.5-inch USB external hard drive enclosure for free (plus $5.95 for shipping).

The enclosure is very compact, measuring roughly 0.75 inch thick by 3 inches wide by 5.1 inches long. It'll slip easily into any carry-on bag.

What I like most is the built-in USB cable, which tucks away inside the enclosure when not in use. That's one less cable to remember to bring along, to potentially lose, or to add extra clutter to your carry-on.

I've performed laptop hard-drive transplants before; they're a cinch. And trust me when I say you'll love having a small, lightweight, portable hard drive. They're perfect for on-the-run backups, transferring large files, and extra storage when you need it.

This deal expires at midnight tonight (ET), and it could definitely sell out before then. If you're planning a laptop upgrade (or you've already got a naked displaced drive lying around), this is a no-brainer buy.

(By the way, if you miss out on this offer, there's a vendor on eBay selling similar enclosures for $7 shipped--though they don't have the built-in USB cable.)

[aeisha1]

hopefully this will last until Get offf work and can get this offer. thanks.

[ktappe]

Good I suppose if you have a laptop old enough to still be using IDE. All the units I've dealt with in recent years use SATA drives though.

[rickbroida]

Really? I thought most laptops were still using IDE. Shows you long it's been since I pried one open. :)

[wirelesscaller]

Agreed, I was wondering why it's so cheap, even the budget laptops use sata but I can't speak for netbooks.

[planblove]

Good deal, now I have a use for the 40gb drive I took out of my PS3.

[planblove]

Thats what I get for reading ahead, only good for IDE drives, the PS3 drive is SATA.

[jeff2276]

Thanks for the deal info. Does no good though as site is not accessible.

[rickbroida]

I'm having no trouble accessing the site as of 12:35 p.m. ET.

[yanchineseguy]

Perfect. Picked up 2 as I'm about to retire an old PC.

One thing, paying with Paypal through Froobi required me to enter a non-zero unit price. It accepted $0.01.

[gnorman333]

Thanks Rick!
Bought one & the site works fine at 12:56PM CST.

gn

[FoolishAndy]

Nice, find -- thanks! Now I can do something with those two cooked notebooks in the closet. They'll make for nice auxiliary storage for the netbook you pointed me to a while back.

[loose_screw]

Thanks Rick!

[gildorluthien]

I can't wait to get this in the mail. I have so many old laptops to refurb for friends, and need a way to get their data off before I wipe their drives.

[brerfox69]

Got mine in the mail today. Simply awesome, works great!! Thanks so much for the heads up on this RIck.

[yodabear]

I never heard of Froobi before but made the purchase based on Rick's recommendation. My case arrived in 2 days and I've been using this to transfer files for a few friends upgrading to new notebooks. It's a rock solid case (not like those flimsy tin cans I got at Fry's for a lot more moulah) and it's a steal for $5 and change - shipped :).

Thanks Rick & Keep 'em comin'...