Reddit mentions of Inateck 2.5 Hard Drive Enclosure,USB 3.0 External Hard Drive Case, Support UASP and Optimized For SSD, Tool-Free,FE2005

I have this one with my 512GB SSD
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00KYF1LLI/

The SATA to USB bridge https://vgy.me/3ESrhM.jpg (highlighted in red) is damaged. It would have to be replaced. The drive itself should be fine. You can get another adapter to access the data or just get an enclosure and transfer the drive into that.

Something like this https://www.amazon.com/Inateck-Enclosure-Support-Optimized-Tool-Free/dp/B00KYF1LLI

I would buy an external case and buy an SSD on sale.

For instance: http://www.amazon.com/Optimized-Tool-Free-Inateck-External-Enclosure/dp/B00KYF1LLI/ref=sr_1_2?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1417342154&sr=1-2&keywords=ssd+enclosure

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00M8ABEIM/ref=gb1h_img_c-2_6282_3d4e0e46?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_t=701&pf_rd_s=center-new-2&pf_rd_r=0HCEG37YZSVSMNZHKZVC&pf_rd_i=20&pf_rd_p=1980506282

If you want the cheapest regardless of speed get something like a terabyte or two of whatever brand you prefer (Hitachi >= WD > Toshiba > Seagate generally but you may not have any problems at all) then get a case like this https://www.amazon.com/Inateck-Enclosure-Support-Optimized-Tool-Free/dp/B00KYF1LLI/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1543291444&sr=8-3&keywords=2.5+ssd+enclosure+UASP or cheaper as long as it specifically supports UASP and since you have an X1X it has to have USB 3.0 doesn't matter the flavor but you won't really benefit otherwise.

If you want a compromise get a cheaper SSD with the same case. From what i've seen, it seems X1Xs have a bit better USB and benefit more from SSD.

Edit: Forgot to mention the speeds but if you get a "green" drive that says its 7200 it'll still perform like a 5400 which isn't too bad but again highly recommend a SSD. Check r/buildapcsales

Damn. I understand now. I’ll probably just use it as external. Is there a certain enclosure you recommend? I’m looking at this one.

Inateck 2.5 Inch USB 3.0 Hard Drive Disk Enclosure/ Case for 9.5mm 7mm 2.5 Inch SATA I/II/III/HDD/SSD, Support UASP and Optimized For SSD, Tool-Free https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00KYF1LLI/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_DxNqDb0E79PWD

This is an enclosure that turns a 2.5 inch SATA drive into an external USB drive.

You should just need to get the 840 Evo itself.

It's the same interface as your old HDD and should be secured the same exact way. You're trading a 2.5" HDD for a 2.5" SSD. The only difference is what is inside the casing.

What I would suggest, though, is getting this external enclosure, though. That way, you can put the SSD in it, run the cloning software that comes with the 840 Evo, which will image the current HDD onto the SSD, removing the need for you to reinstall Windows or anything. Then after you image it, just swap the places of the SSD and HDD, so you now have a nice 500GB external HDD on a USB 3.0 interface.

I have been using this with Samsung and Crucial SSDs although I don't have any testing results handy as I bought a couple back in 2014.

On the other hand this was returned later in 2014 ... maybe I got a bad unit... it sounds good and has good reviews but it didn't work for me... I might try it again (425 reviews, 4.4 out of 5).

Granted the 10Gbps capability is nice... if only had somewhere to use it. 😏

Grab a portable SSD from like samsung, they aren't that cheap, but they are super portable, durable, and fast. They aren't as high capacity as spinning drives, though.

Something like this, $100 for 500gb: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B073GZBT36

Or you can build an external SSD yourself, take a bare ssd like this: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B073SBZ8YH/ and put it in an enclosure like this: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00KYF1LLI

Something like this:

http://www.amazon.com/Optimized-Inateck-External-Enclosure-Tool-free/dp/B00FCLG65U

Or

http://www.amazon.com/Inateck-External-Enclosure-2-5-Inch-Tool-Free/dp/B00KYF1LLI

For 1tb though it's going to be hard to keep close to 150 but in the not to distant future most external drives will be this setup.

I'm thinking about getting a new external hard drive, or at least an enclosure to put a HDD in, to replace my two 500GB external hdds from 10 years ago (one is a backup of the other). They show no signs of failing, but I definitely have stuff that I will miss if I lose it.

Is this enclosure good? I will probably put a 2TB WD Black in it if possible.

I did it with this setup for around $75.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B075RJS55D/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_6xI4AbRFD1PS5

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00KYF1LLI/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_-yI4AbKSMAMZN

Nope, adapters etc. http://www.amazon.com/Optimized-Tool-Free-Inateck-External-Enclosure/dp/B00KYF1LLI/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1416978174&sr=8-1&keywords=ssd+usb+3.0