Vantec EZ Swap EX and NexStar SX hard drive enclosures

Vantec EZ Swap EX and NexStar SX hard drive enclosures

Published August 25, 2008 at 01:16:09 PM, by David Schulman

Intro & Design

Modern storage solutions, like online storage lockers or small USB storage devices, have come a long way and make it very to keep your data with you, yet users are still looking for more flexibility in external storage solutions. Small or virtual is nice but when it comes to sharing my music, pictures, work files, and other documents, more capacity is a necessity. Portable hard drive enclosures have begun to bridge this gap between space and size but it is only within the past few years that they have become light and convenient enough to use for more than just backing up your master hard drive. Having the ability to take your files with you wherever you go not only ensures that your data will be protected from harm but it also allows for a greater degree of ease with managing your external information. Two upcoming drive enclosures from Vantec attempt to bring even more flexibility to the external hard drive market with the Vantec EZ Swap EX, a 2.5' enclosure that docks in a installable 5.25' or floppy drive bay, and the Vantec NexStar SX, a sleek and lightweight 2.5' SATA enclosure.

Packaging

Both the EZ Swap EX and the NexStar SX come in small, tightly packed boxes reminiscent of Apple's latest iPods. Pulling the black plastic tab on the NexStar SX's packaging reveals a soft black leather case containing the chrome and aluminum 2.5' drive enclosure as well as the unit's USB cable, SATA driver CD, and other install related accessories. The box is well fitted and none of the items seem cramped.

Unboxing the Vantec EZ Swap EX is a little less exciting but it is equally as packed with accessories and other bits to make your install go more easily. Since the EZ Swap EX contains both a 5.25' mounting bay and a 3.5' floppy drive bay unit the user can choose where to install the accessory in their desktop tower, a very thoughtful design feature. Included with the physical drive bays and 2.5' enclosure is a carrying case for the drive and the extra USB data and power cables you'll need to access the hard disk. SATA and Molex power cables are also included along with enough screws to build an Erector Set with. Unlike the NexStar SX and Erector Sets however, the EZ Swap EX does not come with a screwdriver. This is not a problem however since the screw heads are wide enough to accommodate most smaller Phillips-head screwdrivers.

Design
Solid and sturdy construction of an enclosure unit is essential if you plan on keeping your external hard drive around for a while. Flimsy panels and loose joints can spell disaster if you happen to knock the drive on the ground or drop something on it. Easy access to the physical hard drive is as well, if you plan on removing the drive even semi-frequently. Other products I've used over the years have frustrated me to no end with hard to extract screws, shoddy drive rails, and IDE/SATA connectors that could easily become detached. The Vantec EZ Swap EX enclosure feels especially well constructed. The solid and weighty aluminum cage is sandwiched by two tightly attached plastic ends, the rear of which is easily removed with a jeweler's, or very small, Phillips-head screwdriver. Taking the back plate off, it is apparent that the drive connectors sit on a separate circuit boards that slides easily in and out of the enclosure. The advantage of this is that your fragile and sensitive hard drive won't move around too much when you're on the go.

The NexStar SX is another story. Forgoing plastic bits, Vantec instead opted for an all aluminum construction with the NexStar SX. This will earn points when it comes to keeping your external drive cool, but when it comes to design, the sliding plates that allows one to get inside the enclosure leaves a little to be desired. While it provides incredibly easy (and screwless) access to the interior drive the top cover feels loose even when it's secured by the two side catches holding it together. The cage also vibrated a bit more while testing due to this fact. The back panel is simple enough, with an LED activity indicator, a mini-USB port, power cable port, and a handy on/off switch that will help preserve the life of your drive.

Installation
Adding your 2.5” SATA drive is relatively straightforward, as is to be expected from Vantec, a company who has been designing products for the PC market for over a decade. As I mentioned with the NexStar SX, two side catches hold top and bottom aluminum plates that slide out, allowing for access to the drive bay. After connecting your drive to the rear SATA port, place it on the drive rails and secure the base to the PCB with the included screws. Once tight, snap both of the covers back into place and connect the enclosure to the nearest computer, finally flipping the power switch on. Installation of the included drivers is recommended since it will help prevent any transfer or compatibility issues. When you're ready to head off with your external drive, just slip it into the included leather carrying pouch. The case uses convent magnetic snaps that prevent the cover from accidentally swinging open and shouldn't cause any demagnetizing problems.

The EZ Swap EX takes a little longer to get up and running but the installation is just as straight forward as the NexStar SX. Make sure to mount the 5.25” bay flush with your desktop tower's front panel if you choose to use it. Conveniently enough, one could install the EZ Swap's dock in a spare 3.5” bay, which is useful considering no one really uses floppy drive bays these days. Unlike the NexStar SX, the EZ Swap does not include a screw driver so grab one if you haven't already. Once mounted properly, connect the included SATA and power cables to your motherboard and power supply.

To install the physical hard drive in the enclosure remove the two rear screws and slide out the circuit board. Once you've attached and secured the drive carefully slide it back inside the case and screw everything back together. Depending on your model of hard drive there might be some extra wiggle room inside the case. Sliding a business card or some other sturdy material into the gap between the case and drive will help prevent the disk from moving around too much. The EZ Swap EX enclosure slides pretty smoothly into the dock and clicks into place without a problem. The release catch also gently ejects the drive.

Conclusion

External storage solutions are necessary for most PC users these days, especially those who hold large collections of music, movies, pictures, and other media. Having the ability to take your important documents with you when you travel away from your desktop is crucial in today’s highly mobile, technology-filled lifestyle. Being able to easily and quickly back up your system's operating system also allows you to add an extra layer of protection for your computer when serious problems arise.

While the two Nexstar products reviewed here today are designed to meet different needs, they are two of the more well designed 2.5” SATA enclosures on the market. Despite some heat dissipation issues with the EZ Swap EX, which will vary from system to system, the enclosure and docking bay provide a simple and speedy solution to traveling with and managing your external storage solution. The drive enclosure feels especially sturdy and well built which are also big pluses.

The convenience of the NexStar SX's sliding design is worth mentioning, especially since it means not having to deal with screws every time you want to get inside the enclosure. Unfortunately on my unit, the top plate was a little loose on the chassis of the enclosure which gave the unit a cheaply constructed feeling. The bottom of the unit sat securely enough in place, but the other aluminum plate created some extra vibration noise during operation. Again, not a deal breaker, but this is something that could be improved on in future generations of the product.

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Technical Specifications

No specifications are available.