A battery powered disk drive system for a portable computer comprises a disk drive unit, a cable, and a smart connector. The smart connector includes a disk drive controller integrated circuit, a printed circuit board, and an exterior plastic molding. The exterior plastic molding has an upper edge portion which butts against a display section of the portable computer when in use. Since the disk controller is physically located on the outside of a housing of the portable computer, the size of the portable computer is minimized. High frequency signals are converted to low frequency signals by the disk controller and, since the smart connector is located physically close to the computer, electromagnetic interference is minimized.