If you have one internal hard drive on other PCs - or as a backup solution for home use, appropriate options are available Housing at. In the model we tested called i-tec USB 3.0 Advance MySafe Slim is the 2,5 inch version. However, there is also a version for the larger 3,5-inch HDDs. The distinguishing features of this hard drive housing are the high-quality aluminum housing and the "intelligent" operation with the on/off switch. USB 3.0 (backwards compatible to USB 2.0 or even USB 1.1) and two FireWire 800 interfaces are offered. Internally, hard drives or SSDs with the connection SATA I, SATA II or SATA III can be used.
- External USB 3.0 enclosure for all 8,9cm (3,5") SATA I, II, III...
- Robust Aluminum construction for hard drive protection and...
- Interface USB 3.0, backwards compatible with USB 2.0 or USB 1.1
What's in the box
- Hard drive housing i-tec USB 3.0 Advance MySafe
- A USB connection cable (3.0, backward compatible to 2.0, 50 cm length)
- instructions
processing / design
Installing an HDD or an SSD in a plastic box is not a good idea, as the waste heat can only be dissipated poorly there. The case from i-tec therefore appears to be of higher quality at first glance due to its aluminum housing. In order to be able to efficiently dissipate the heat generated during hard drive operation, the manufacturer integrated numerous ventilation holes on the back. The silver look also makes the case look classy and fits unobtrusively into any room. Thanks to its compact dimensions of just 7,9 by 12,5 by 2,2 cm, the i-tec USB 3.0 Advance MySafe can be stowed away anywhere to save space. At 136 grams, the model is also easy to transport despite the metal housing.
Hardware
There is no data jam here, because thanks to state-of-the-art connections, every hard drive runs as fast as it should. Impressive data transfer rates are possible with a SATA III SSD and a USB 3.0 connection to the PC. FireWire 800 is also supported - even in duplicate. A data rate of up to 5 Gbps is possible. Clever: FireWire can also be used to connect multiple hard drives and connect them to the PC via a single connection. The supported operating systems of the i-tec USB 3.0 Advance MySafe are Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 7, Windows 8 and Mac OS listed. Linux and Windows 10 should also be possible without any problems.
Test results
- Write Speed: 112,2 MB/s (HDD, 7.200 rpm)
- Read speed: 110,8 MB/s (HDD, 7.200 rpm)
Other
Yes, there are cheaper cases than the i-tec USB 3.0 Advance MySafe - but you don't get the corresponding quality. The hard disk is optimally protected against overheating by the aluminum housing, which prevents a defect and the loss of important data. This device also has a convenient on/off switch. This can be used to ensure that the housing switches itself on and off automatically with the PC. Alternatively, you can also ensure that the i-tec remains completely switched off. These comfort functions alone justify the market price of around 45 euros (as of June 2016). In addition, the connection of up to 5 Gbit/s with USB 3.0 and up to 800 Mbit/s with FireWire is extremely fast. Incidentally, you do not need to install a driver, the i-tec USB 3.0 Advance MySafe is ready for operation immediately after plugging it into the computer. There is also an LED display for hard drive activity.
Conclusion
If you are looking for a particularly robust - and at the same time chic - hard drive housing, you should go for the i-tec USB 3.0 Advance MySafe. Your HDD or SSD will thank you for the well-cooled housing, especially when summer is about to come with hot temperatures. The installation of the storage medium is also uncomplicated. Incidentally, i-tec does not have a capacity limit. So you can also integrate the big 3 terabyte giants. The reviews from previous buyers are also promising. Above all, the comfortable on/off switch and the compatibility are praised. Because i-tec also works with old computers that don't have an up-to-date one mainboard feature.
- External USB 3.0 enclosure for all 8,9cm (3,5") SATA I, II, III...
- Robust aluminum construction for hard drive protection and...
- Interface USB 3.0, backwards compatible with USB 2.0 or USB 1.1
