Final Thoughts
Overall, I believe Vantec has created a useful option for people who might have spare 2.5 inch SATA hard drive (or IDE with their IDE/USB product) lying around or who are in need of a portable storage system that is small and compact in design but versatile in functionality. Being able to use a USB connection without having to run separate power is a big plus for those who do not want to be burdened with extra cables and reduced portability.
The dock for the enclosure is this product’s best feature. Just slide the enclosure into the dock and it is like using the old style Jaz cartridges or 8 track for those of us that are older. This frees up the USB ports on your computer and allows you to have the data transfer speed of SATA without much effort.
Installation for me was a bit of a pain in regards to the 5.25 inch bay bracket. Ideally I would have liked to use the 5.25 inch bay bracket but with over half an inch of play. This is annoying, especially when using the ejection mechanism. I had to opt for the 3.5 inch bay mount which ended up being almost too tight. However, it seemed that my case was more to blame for the poor fitment so your mileage may vary.
Operating temperatures under full use were never an issue. Unlike other enclosures I have used that need a fan to help keep the drive cool, the aluminum construction of the EX Swap EX enclosure allowed for worry-free operation while holding the drive in the palm of my hand. I definitely recommend this product for anyone that is looking for a 2.5 inch SATA hard drive enclosure solution that wants the portability of USB without sacrificing speed when you get home thanks to the SATA interface.
Pros
- Dual USB 2.0 and SATA Connection
- Docking system via SATA
- Good performance with both USB and SATA connections
- Aluminum construction of enclosure helps the drive dissipate heat for better cooling
Cons
- Squishy plastic 5.25 inch bracket doesn’t fit right
- The 3.5 inch bracket fits a bit tight (but your mileage may vary)
Overall Rating: 9.0 / 10.o
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