Portable Performance: Four USB 3.0 Enclosures For Your 2.5” Drive

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USB 3.0 is set to become the de facto standard for performance-oriented portable devices. We take a look at four enclosures that bring modern performance to pocket-sized storage. If you have an old laptop drive laying around, throw it in one of these.

Bytecc HD6-SU3

Accented with chrome-colored end caps, Bytec’s HD6-SU3 is the only product in this comparison to use the classic bright-aluminum finish. The enclosure comes packed with a USB 3.0 cable to connect Type A to Micro Type B ports, an auxiliary power cable, and a carrying bag with an external cable pouch.

The HD6-SU3 activity LED is located on the opposite end of the drive from its interface connections, allowing the end cap logo to glow.

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Back at the business end, we find the 5V power connector and Micro USB 3.0 jack. The power adapter makes sense when using older high-power drives on low-power USB 2.0 ports, but the use of energy-efficient drives and/or higher-power USB 3.0 jacks makes it unnecessary for most users.

A Phillips screwdriver is required to open the HD6-SU3, revealing the full-length circuit board required to place the activity LED at the opposite end of the drive. Four screws are included for installing the 2.5” drive of your choice.

Thomas Soderstrom
Thomas Soderstrom
Thomas Soderstrom is a Senior Staff Editor at Tom's Hardware US. He tests and reviews cases, cooling, memory and motherboards.
28 Comments Comment from the forums
  • I know this isn't relevant, but what is in the pcie1 slot?
    Reply
  • Gin Fushicho
    You guys are really benching cases? I figured they'd all be close to the same anyway.
    Reply
  • Crashman
    SubSonix1I know this isn't relevant, but what is in the pcie1 slot?
    Nothing, the slot is covered by an extended chipset heat sink.
    Reply
  • TomD_1
    So basically, they all have identical hardware, and IMO all look ugly
    Reply
  • Crashman
    TomD_1So basically, they all have identical hardware, and IMO all look ugly
    You forgot to mention they all fit in a shirt pocket. That is the most important part.
    Reply
  • thejerk
    Scraping the bottom of the barrel for non-iPad news?
    Reply
  • warmon6
    thejerkScraping the bottom of the barrel for non-iPad news?
    Um.... few things,

    1. They haven't been just covering the ipad. They been covering alot of other things.

    2. This isn't news. This is a review. Learn the difference.
    Reply
  • kelfen
    if ya think about it this is more cost effective per GB to buy one of these and a hard drive then buying a usb drive
    Reply
  • Good... so I can share my pirated movies more faster?( sarcasm )
    Reply
  • rooket
    What's the performance like if you use it with a hard drive? Just same as usb 2.0 I'd imagine? Odd that they're only hitting 35MB/sec with USB 2.0. It should go 60MB/sec. Why is this only half the speed?
    Reply