Sharkoon Introduces 3.5-inch SATA Enclosure with USB 3.0 Interface

[btarunr]

Sharkoon presents another external housing with a faster USB3.0 port: After the accessory specialist had introduced their QuickStore Portable USB3.0 for 2.5-inch SATA hard drives in May, Sharkoon has now expanded their "Rapid Case" series with a SuperSpeed model for SATA hard drives with a 3.5-inch form factor.

The "Rapid Case" series offers solid Aluminum for users who are searching for an inexpensive yet quality made external hard drive case for an enclosure. Current models will be available with external USB2.0 ports for 2.5 and 3.5-inch IDE hard drives as well as either with USB2.0 or USB2.0 plus eSATA hard drives in both sizes.



The latest Sharkoon Rapid Case 3.5" SATA USB3.0 model is a downward compatible SuperSpeed interface complete with a sleek black design, a blue illuminating power switch, handy dimensions of 205 x 115 x 35 mm (L x W x H), an empty weight of 460 grams, and supports Windows XP, Windows Vista, and Windows 7 (32 and 64 Bit). With the included stand, the housing can also be operated in an upright position. In addition, a USB3.0 cable (plug A / plug B), AC adapter, screwdriver, screws, non-slip rubber knobs for the housing bottom, and a brief instruction manual are all included within shipping.

End customers will find the Sharkoon Rapid-Case 3.5" SATA USB3.0 available immediately for the retail price of 29.90 euros in authorized retailers. The Sharkoon Rapid-Case 3.5" SATA USB3.0 / is priced at MSRP 29.90 euros.

About time we started seeing some 3.0 enclosures, but why does it need to have power adapter and it's only using 3.0, i though 3.0 send enough power, and i would like to see 3.0 and eSATA combo cause eSATA is still the fastest.

[Cheeseball]

It's a 3.5" (desktop/server) HDD, so it uses slightly more power. Most 3.5" enclosures use a seperate power source.

You might be thinking of 2.5" laptop HDDs, which require one or two USB connections.

[Sasqui]

Originally Posted by Taskforce

About time we started seeing some 3.0 enclosures, but why does it need to have power adapter and it's only using 3.0, i though 3.0 send enough power, and i would like to see 3.0 and eSATA combo cause eSATA is still the fastest.

Originally Posted by Cheeseball

It's a 3.5" (desktop/server) HDD, so it uses slightly more power. Most 3.5" enclosures use a seperate power source.

You might be thinking of 2.5" laptop HDDs, which require one or two USB connections.

That just got me asking the question if USB 3.0 has a higher power supply limit than USB 2.0. USB 2.0 typically peaks out at 5watts.

Originally Posted by Cheeseball

It's a 3.5" (desktop/server) HDD, so it uses slightly more power. Most 3.5" enclosures use a seperate power source.

You might be thinking of 2.5" laptop HDDs, which require one or two USB connections.

It's rumored USB 3.0 can send much more power than 2.0 eliminating the need to have external power source on many devices including 3.5" external hard drives.

"So i heard"

[1freedude]

Does it have SATA III, though? It should for true future-proofing.

As far as the adapter (wallwart or brick), it is necessary, as USB does not provide the 12v (typically yellow wire) that 3.5's need.

[p_o_s_pc]

Originally Posted by Taskforce

About time we started seeing some 3.0 enclosures, but why does it need to have power adapter and it's only using 3.0, i though 3.0 send enough power, and i would like to see 3.0 and eSATA combo cause eSATA is still the fastest.

I'm sure it can send the WATTS needed but 3.5" drives run on 12v and USB 3.0 puts out 5v. that is why laptop drives can run on USB only and why 3.5" drives need a power brick.

[pr0n Inspector]

USB 2.0: 500mA, 5V, 2.5 watts
USB 3.0: 900mA, 5V, 4.5 watts

Also, 3.5'' HDD motors have very high start-up current requirements, they draw around ONE amp from the 5V line and around TWO amps from the 12V line for 3-6 seconds.

[Mussels]

USB will never power 3.5" hard drives, because they run on 12V, and USB gives out 5V

also, HDD's dont use much power to start up. they use about 15-18W to power on, the idle in the 8-12W range depending on the model. I've got a wall meter and tested many of them in an external enclosure.

[Baum]

the lower the watt's go, lower the accurency for wall meter is
and "some" to all hard drive use to power peak when they spin up, thats why most PSU don't like massive HDD arrays :-), i don't know why exactly but translatory inertia eats power .
( oh god i loved my 4x320GB IDE back the day, 350W PSU )
best low power 3,5 HDs ive seen are the WD Green EADS line, taking 3-4W under idle/free spin, spindown is 1.2W and load only bumps to 5,6W


but hey time to upgrade my IDE!! IDE Usb 2.0 external Drive to USB 3.0

[Mussels]

Originally Posted by Baum

the lower the watt's go, lower the accurency for wall meter is

best low power 3,5 HDs ive seen are the WD Green EADS line, taking 3-4W under idle/free spin, spindown is 1.2W and load only bumps to 5,6W


but hey time to upgrade my IDE!! IDE Usb 2.0 external Drive to USB 3.0

mines accurate. its not some cheap crappy unit. i also have a cage with 5 HDD's in it, and powering it up and dividing by 5 gives me pretty much the same numbers.

WD greens may be low power, but they're as slow as a 2.5" drive.

[Smith_X]

It is possible to have an enclosure with both e-SATA III and usb3.0 together? I never see any enclosure support both interface.

[Mussels]

Originally Posted by Smith_X

It is possible to have an enclosure with both e-SATA III and usb3.0 together? I never see any enclosure support both interface.

possible yes, but more expensive. USB 3.0 is easier to sell than a combo enclosure for $20 more.

[pr0n Inspector]

Originally Posted by Mussels

USB will never power 3.5" hard drives, because they run on 12V, and USB gives out 5V

also, HDD's dont use much power to start up. they use about 15-18W to power on, the idle in the 8-12W range depending on the model. I've got a wall meter and tested many of them in an external enclosure.

It's completely possible to boost 5V to 12V as long as you can provide enough current. How do you think single AA white LED flashlights work?

Wall meters are useless in this case because they update too slowly as shown here.

[Mussels]

Originally Posted by pr0n Inspector

It's completely possible to boost 5V to 12V as long as you can provide enough current. How do you think single AA white LED flashlights work?

Wall meters are useless in this case because they update too slowly as shown here.

boost? yes. in an expensive, heat producing way that no one will bother with.

interesting read on the hard drives power usage, but its not like i'm measuring at the back of the drive. i'm getting average results - and average power draw is what matters most.

[pr0n Inspector]

Originally Posted by Mussels

boost? yes. in an expensive, heat producing way that no one will bother with.

interesting read on the hard drives power usage, but its not like i'm measuring at the back of the drive. i'm getting average results - and average power draw is what matters most.

No. the peak current draw of a starting motor is the minimum requirement. the power source must be able to cope with that sudden high current draw.

[Mussels]

Originally Posted by pr0n Inspector

No. the peak current draw of a starting motor is the minimum requirement. the power source must be able to cope with that sudden high current draw.

for all of what, a tenth of a second? nothings going to pop from that quick a power draw.

[pr0n Inspector]

Originally Posted by Mussels

for all of what, a tenth of a second? nothings going to pop for that quick a load draw.

more like half to one second. You can look at wallwarts of external enclosures, they are design to handle that peak current draw, unlike the puny USB.

[Mad_Commander]

Has anyone ever tried this product? I'm looking for a 3.5 "enclosure for my unused hard disk. I once read a review on this product here.. The result is pretty good.. But before deciding to buy it, I want opinions from people who've tried it directly..

Thanks..