External HDs

Hey Guys,
Quick thing I heard from a good friend who is into all the computer stuff and is way smarter than me. He told me that they changed the way they make External Drives, what they did was instead of taking the actual HD and putting it into and External enclosure... They mounted the actual pieces to the external enclosure. Therefore making it one piece. To make it so people can't go spend money on a cheap external and rip it apart and throw the internal drive in for less cash.
I believed him when he told me this but I acquired one from another friend to look at and it still had an actual internal one inside an external enclosure.
Is what he told me correct?? I can't find anything on that subject.
Thanks,
Spock96

 

I haven't heard anything like your friend is saying.

 

Yes, what I think you're saying is correct, for one maker and some of their external drives, at least. The built-in SATA and power connectors have been done away with, incorporated into the mini USB connector. As far as I can recall, I've only heard of it being done with the non-powered (self-powered via the USB) 2.5" drives, so far.

It's already been a problem for some owners trying to recover data after a drive/USB failure

I'll try to dig out some more info.

EDIT: here's one early discussion.

 

Also, recommended to use 2 drives with raid 1 (mirror). Hate to have your backup drive fail. At least with two, you still have the other.

 

Thanks for the reply's guys,
It was I think 1-2 years ago he told me about this and it just popped into my head today so I figured I'd ask here and see what all you guys had to say about it.