![SABRENT 2.5 Inch SATA to USB 3.0 Tool Free External Hard Drive Enclosure [Optimized for SSD, Support UASP SATA III] Black (EC](https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/71J0iPYw2YL._AC_UL165_SR165,165_.jpg)
Inateck 2.5 Inch USB 3.0 Hard Drive Enclosure External Case for 9.5mm 7mm SATA/HDD/SSD with 3 Ports USB 3.0 Hub, UASP Supported, Tool-Free
I have 3 of these Inatek 2.5 Inch USB 3.0 enclosures that house extra HDDs that were replaced with SSDs in newer company laptops and 1 laptop that was recycled due to age and other issues.
The HDDs were replaced in the newer laptops since all of our company laptops are used for traveling to demos and meetings, besides office applications. I did not want our company or client data to be risked since the HDDs are unstable for lots of traveling.
Additional reasons have to do with data processing using larger data files which were formatted and processed with SQL applications for submittal to Watson Data Analytics; this required optimal data speeds across the data-stream platform. The SSDs are much faster.
These Inatek enclosures with the 3 extra USB 3.0 ports are handy since they do allow for fast 3.0 data speeds and file transfers from other USB storage sources. I have tried to "daisy-chain" these drives into each other's USB ports with of them plugged into a USB-based power source on a laptop's USB array of available USB 3.0 ports - that "daisy-chaining" the drive in a serial type of fashion does not work very well. The power requirement for the HDDs is higher than what I was experimenting with to find out just how many USB ports I would actually need to drive all 3 of these at once, plugged into each other, with one providing an external power source. They might show up on your Windows File Explorer, but while I had that, one of the HDDs started to "click", indicating something. I plugged all 3 into their separate power sources and everything was faster with no "side effects" from inadequate power being supplied while "daisy-chained".
The power profiles as measured using a DROK USB Meter ([...]) rated as best as of Aug. 2016.
Daisy-chaining the enclosures with the lead enclosure only plugged into an external power source: ~ 4.7 Volts on all USB 3.0 ports on all the enclosures. This may explain the older Seagate HDD "clicking" , until it had its own power source. You CAN see the files on File Explorer, though it is skittish in that the file access and commands are slow.
Plugging all three of the enclosures into their own power source: ~ 5.2 Volts on all USB 3.0 ports across all the enclosures. No Seagate "clicking". The file access was snappy.
Note that I am early in the day-in, day-out extended use of these drives. I will return after a few months to report findings. Once these enclosures are finally placed as back-up drives, where they will not be moved vs. their former potential use while traveling, my guess is the drives will last much longer. I am watching the "Backblaze" reports on which drives are most reliable: [...] , so I am going to watch how these drives perform under these new use parameters. This is especially for the Seagate that came from an older HP multi-media purposed i5 laptop, that did some traveling for 3 years before being replaced with an ASUS ROG gamer-spec rig.
I recommend this enclosure since it is relatively simple, functional, small and has energy-saving operating parameters, all the while expanding the array of available USB 3.0 ports to 3. Just ensure the power source is adequate, my ASUS ROG has 4 USB 3.0 ports that all measure ~5.1 - 5.2 volts.
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This review is for the [All in one] Inateck 3 Ports USB 3.0 Hub with 2.5 Inch USB 3.0 Hard Drive Disk Enclosure Case for 9.5mm 7mm 2.5" SATA HDD SSD, UASP Supported, Tool-Free - specifically the FE2007.In the drivers seat of the FE2007 is a Samsung 850 EVO 250GB SSD.Delivery -The unit arrived in an order with two other items, standard Amazon packaging and care intact. Reading some of the reviews and knowing what I am going to attempt with this unit I was concerned with power draw and the quality of the USB 3.0 cable so also ordered Micro usb 3.0 y cable,Ugreen Super Speed USB 3.0 A Male to Micro B Male Y Splitter Adapter Cable Charging and Data Sync Cord for Micro USB 3.0 Android SmartPhones and Tablets 3 feet BlackCables -It simply does not matter, within reason. That reason being, don't expect to use super cheap, suspect $2 USB 3.0 cables and receive consistent tests results or even one that you're happy with. Maybe you will. Cables do matter and while all USB 3.0 cables should serve the same purpose or function they are not all built the same, don't all have the same QC process or use the same materials.While the end connectors have different finishes, the USB 3.0 cable the unit came with and the UGREEN are pretty thick and firm. Looking at these Blackmagic Disk Speed Test screenshots we can understand the following:1. The USB 3.0 cable the unit came with - only connection to 2012 13" MBP2. The USB 2.0 DC 5v cable the unit came with attached - secondary connection to 2012 13" MBP under the assumption that the FE2007 using more power would have higher transfer rates. This was NOT the case.3. The UGREEN Micro USB 3.0 Y cable - The cables from tests 1 and 2 are removed and both the micro USB 3.0 sync/charge and USB 2.0 charge(it's a Y cable)are attached to the MBP simultaneously.4. The Ugreen micro USB 3.0 cable is the only connection plugged into the 2012 MBP, the USB 2.0 "charge" has been removed, giving us back a single open USB 3.0 port on the 2012 13" MBP.As you can see from the screenshots it did not matter what config I put the units original cables(DC 5V vs no DC 5V) and UGREEN(extra USB 2.0 charge vs no USB 2.0 charge) cables in, read and writes were consistent. It also did not matter how this device was powered. The cables are not the best I've seen but they are not cheap or flimsy and the performance speaks for itself. So if you're concerned about the USB 3.0 cable the unit comes with like I was, don't be. I don't know what to say about any comments regarding the use of the DC 5V as that was not my experience and I tested the device 12-14 times across a 3 day period.Build quality -I see the possible conundrum Inateck might have been in. It needed to be super lightweight because that changes immediately the moment you put a drive in it and we all know from childhood experiences, carrying a brick is no fun. Especially if that drive is platter based. In hand it's not as cheap feeling to me as others have stated but I can see where some are coming from and it might have been nicer if it felt like and was a sturdier material but still as lightweight as it is. Sliding the top cover off does create a slight bend and I can again see how some would think it might break. I'd like to believe Inateck tested the sliding off of the cover at least 300 times or more but what do I know? What I do know is I would not want to drop this unit from 5ft or higher. I'm honestly not sure it can handle that kind of impact, at least repeatedly.SSD fit -I don't know why but my Samsung 850 EVO SSD really needed to be pushed to fit in the device. Is Inateck trying to mitigate the rattling others have complained about due to the looseness of the drive? I don't know. I do know I've never experienced such a tight fit with an enclosure or sata to USB 3.0 cable. I thought I had a defective unit but after closely inspecting all points of contact to ensure nothing was blocking the connection I pushed really hard and that was that. It did create that moment of fear for me where I wondered if I was about to destroy a brand new SSD.Heat -The back of the unit gets slightly warm after extended use but not warm enough to cook an egg or hot to the touch where it might burn you. It's really not a big deal and I considered not even mentioning it but this might be relevant to someone for whatever reason.Conclusion -Overall I am extremely happy with the unit. I wasn't worried about Inateck as a brand as I had recently purchased a USB 3.0 4 port PCIe card from them and it performed and did all I asked of it where other cards failed miserably or was no longer supported under El Capitan so they already had high marks in my book. If anything changes with the device I'll be sure to come back here and edit my review accordingly but for now it's all good in Hollywood and I can confidently recommend this brand and product.Thanks for reading if you made it this far. Cheers.
