Eagle Tech Consus W-Series 3.5Inch HDD Enclosure Review

Storage/Other by SidneyWong @ 2007-08-20

Eagle Tech carries a complete line of 3.5inch External HDD Enclosures covering connectivity via USB, eSATA and Firewire; double and single HDDs configuration in aluminum and steel casings in either IDE and SATA connection or both. Today, we are taking a detail look at their W-series, aluminum 3.5inch USB enclosure with provision for both IDE and SATA HDDs.

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Setup/Performance & Conclusion

System Setup



I also install a second Seagate 500GB 7200.09 SATA into the W-Series external enclosure so that we could compare the system HDD to the external.

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Performance:

  • HD Tach version 3.0.4
  • SiSoftware Sandra Lite XI
  • Read/Write using 2.71GB data & Mpeg-2

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    Screen shot shows both USB & system hard drives


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    Click to enlarge


    HDTach shows Eagle Tech USB enclosure average 34.8MB/s versus sytem HDD average 50.1MB/s


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    Click to enlarge


    Sandra shows Eagle Tech USB enclosure 33MB/s versus system HDD 59MB/s


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    Conclusive Thoughts:

    As external HDD enclosures are getting popular because the ease of use and the increasing demand for HDD capacity, the market is saturated with them. In a nut shell, you could either buy one that is fitted with pre-installed HDD or one that you install your own HDD. The former is likely "sealed" and cannot be opened or the warranty is voided once opened. Yet, it has the convenience of "ready made, plug & play". The latter allows the users to reuse one of the older/smaller extra HDD available after system upgrade; or buy new one with 3 to 5 years warranty and with choice of your favorite HDD brand. Either way, the bottom line performance as far as read/write speed depends on the HDD more so than the enclosure of identical connectivity.

    Ease of installation becomes the main feature when shopping for external enclosure, even for the geeks. :) I like the Eagle Tech M-Series SATA version, simply slide in the HDD, close the lid and you are done. The T-Series has more screws to deal with, but no big deal, while the W-Series we look at today is slightly different. For PATA drive, it presents no problem; but for SATA the cable is too short. too stiff.

    The aluminum casing weights less and might improve thermal transfer a little better but not by much. Nevertheless, breaking the SATA connection on the HDD is very easy, something you don't want to have. However, if Eagle Tech would consider fixing this issue, the M-Series should be considered.

    Pros:

  • Decent price point
  • Alum casing
  • Only 2 screws to deal with (plus the HDD mounting)
  • Stand is built into the casing

    Cons:

  • SATA connection & position
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    Comment from SuAside @ 2007/08/20
    decent review

    Quote:
    The screws were easy to remove; nothing stripped this time. However, I found it difficult to slide the tray out because there is nothing to get a crib on, and it is quite a tight fit.
    grip?
    Comment from Sidney @ 2007/08/20
    Ha ha, somebody changed the word for me
    Corrected.
    Comment from jmke @ 2007/08/20
    I didn't do it, I swear

     

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