Mfg'd vs. 'homemade' external drive for backups

[NihmRodd]

I'm looking to be able to back up my computer to an external hard drive, and am wondering why I would want to buy a pre-manufactured (i.e. already external HD, like from Maxtor, etc) instead of just buying an external enclosure & using a HD I already have in it.

Can anyone comment on the pro's & con's of going either way? I've seen some from various companies touting themselves as "one-button backup" drives--is this really a needed feature, or is it even something I could do with a self-built external drive?

Thoughts & comments appreciated.

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NihmRodd

[HeadBand]

I think it is mainly made for ease of use by...um....less skilled people

same reason they sell pre-built computers

[pelicanman]

I've used both. In my expereince Maxtor and WD external drives are substantially quieter (not to mention sleeker and better looking) than the external USB/Firewire chassis units I've seen.

Many/most generic 5.25 external drive boxes put the drive PS in the chassis itself which makes it bulkier and often requires a fan. Because of this the generic external chassis solutions are considerably clunkier and noisier than the external drives designed by the manufacturers from the ground up.