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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.

Kingwin ATK-25U3-BK

Kingwin tries to cover all possible needs by including both an auxiliary power cable and a Phillips screwdriver in its ATK-25U3-BK package. An included carrying bag has its cable pouch on the inside.

Kingwin’s part is unique in two ways: first, it’s the only model to use a USB 3.0 Type A connector and second, it’s the only one to have a controller button.

While the enclosure includes no software to use with that button, some backup software manufacturers have used initialization buttons to start their programs. The clear button still serves as an activity LED, regardless of other possible functions.

A clear plastic sheet runs through the Kingwin ATK-25U3-BK interior, thereby protecting the exposed circuits of mechanical drives.

28 Comments Comment from the forums
  • 14 April 2010 15:39
    I know this isn't relevant, but what is in the pcie1 slot?
    Reply
  • Gin Fushicho 14 April 2010 15:41
    You guys are really benching cases? I figured they'd all be close to the same anyway.
    Reply
  • Crashman 14 April 2010 16:10
    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 14 April 2010 17:50
    So basically, they all have identical hardware, and IMO all look ugly
    Reply
  • Crashman 14 April 2010 17:59
    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 14 April 2010 19:08
    Scraping the bottom of the barrel for non-iPad news?
    Reply
  • warmon6 14 April 2010 19:42
    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 14 April 2010 19:45
    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
  • 14 April 2010 19:59
    Good... so I can share my pirated movies more faster?( sarcasm )
    Reply
  • rooket 14 April 2010 23:07
    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