hard drive in external enclosure

[JoshM]

I want to get a new hard drive and I want it to be external. But I've heard that it's better to get a hard drive and then put it in and external enclosure. Is this true?

What type should I get? (SATA, Ultra - ata or what?)

Does anybody have a brand they would reccomend?

 

[cook]

It is cheaper to get a hard drive and then buy an external enclosure. Here is a great resource for making your own:
http://www.jakeludington.com/archives/000335.html