bobl@pro-graphics.cts.com (System Administrator) (08/16/89)
Dr. Ken writes...
The easiest part of assembling your own SCSI hard drive is getting the
drive itself & the Apple SCSI interface card. The difficult part is
finding a suitable case/power supply/fan at a reasonable cost.
While reading the March 1989 issue of Computer Shopper, I posted note
tagged each ad for vendors offering cases. Here's that list, along with
some miscellaneous notes. Page numbers (March 88 Computer Shopper) are
provided in parentheses as references.
HardTimes 408-452-1929: Room for 2 exposed & 1 hidden 1/2 height drives,
with 50 watt power supply, fan, internal brackets, front ON/OFF
switch, room for SCSI controller board. $79. (Pg 334)
IB Computers 503-297-8425: Dual 1/2 height drive case with power supply.
$70-100. (Pg 348)
Alpha Scientific 314-878-7117: Various cases (hold 2-3 1/2 height drives)
in price range $69-129. Includes power supply, fan. (Pg 380)
Bandy Inc. 214-272-5455: Various cases, no specs or prices provided.
(Pg 392)
True Data Products 800-635-0300: Dual 1/2 height case $55; horizontal
hard drive case w/ power supply & fan $120. (Pg 408)
Wetex International 213-728-3119: Dual 1/2 height case w/ 60 watt power
supply. $79. (Pg 458)
Computer Expert 212-840-2010: Dual 1/2 height w/ 40 watt power supply
$99; Triple 1/2 height w/ 40 watt power supply $139. (Pg 536)
Tulin Corp. 408-432-9025: AppleHive 30 watts $120; 60 watts $170; both
dual 1/2 height drives. Fan, front ON/OFF switch. (Pg 388)
When ordering a case, find out if the case:
- includes power supply & size
- includes warranty (term)
- includes back plate connectors & type (DB-25 or 50-pin Centronics)
- includes all internal hardware & cables
- how many half height drives it will hold
- will it hold a SCSI Controller (if you purchase a non-SCSI drive)
- placement of power switch
- includes external power cord
- has POWER ON and DRIVE ACTIVE lights & their location
- includes fan & if so, size & warranty
- dimensions & colour
- is metal, plastic or other
The Tulin AppleHive case, for example, has dual back-plate connectors,
but they are Centronics 50-pin connectors. If using the CMS SCSI Interface
Card (host adapter), you will also need to purchase a heavy-shielded
cable with DB-25 pin connector on one end (for connection to CMS card)
and Centronics 50-pin connector on other end (for connection to case
connector).
Prices given are subject to, and will, change and are thus provided only
for comparative purposes. WTC & Dr. Ken do NOT endorse any of these
vendors or their products, & this list is provided only as a service to
help WTC's users locate vendors.
___________________________________________________________________________
The Washington Towne Crier BBS 1-201-689-3649 300/1200/2400 24 hrs/day
___________________________________________________________________________
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I personally do not like the AppleHive case from Tulin. I too feel it is a
cheap case with poor design and construction. I have seen several cases and I
find that the Mac Crate case is probably the best case in regards to
construction and warranty. It carries a 2 year warranty on the power supply
which has surge protection and an RFI filter built in. Of course you will
have to pay the price for such a case. I got mine for $180. Burroughs also
makes some fine cases and I've seen them around for just $40.00. These cases
are built just as well as the Mac Crate cases but do not include a fan. The
Burroughs case will hold a single full height drive or 2 half height drives
and has a power supply to handle them.
-- Bob
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