Difference Between An Enclosure and HD Docking Station

[iceblade2097]

Was just wondering what is the difference between an enclosure vs an hard drive docking station. Thanks!

 

[compulsivebuilder]

The common form of hard drive docking station takes naked hard drives, and is intended to be used with multiple drives (one at a time). It doesn't really protect the drive, but it's really convenient.

An enclosure is a box designed to hold a (formerly naked) hard drive to turn it into an external hard drive. It does protect the drive.

 

[WyomingKnott]

+1 to compulsive.

 

[iceblade2097]

I have noticed some hard drive enclosures state which OS they support. So I was wondering if that really matters as I know 98Se and lower needed lots of drivers but XP and newer have a lot of built in drivers. So if I was planing an enclosure for future use would I need one that says it supports Vista and Windows 7? Since I am on Windows XP now.

 

[Hawkeye22]

If it's USB, then XP and higher should have no problems at all.