Review Sample provided by: Icy Dock
Review by: Garfi3ld
Pictures by: Garfi3ld
Packaging To put it simply I was very impressed with the packaging. At first glance it has a style similar to an apple product. The clear ox put the enclosure out for everyone to see. Who needs a picture on the box when you can see right though the box? The only thing included on the front of the packaging is a sticker pointing out that the MB664 uses a Screw-Less design. The back of the packaging includes a picture and description of the included eSATA bracket that is included. They have also included a full listing of the product specifications for three different models of the MB664. The other models loose the eSATA plug and gain ether a 400 firewire plug or an 800. They all include USB 2.0 so there shouldn’t ever be an issue where you get to your files. Inside the packaging there is a box that included the eSATA bracket along with the power cable. Overall they kept the packaging very simple and elegant.
ICY DOCK MB664US-1S Specifications
Host Interface eSATA + USB 2.0 Combination
Drive Type 3.5" SATA 1.5Gb/s or 3Gb/s Interface
Drive Position Vertical or Horizontal
Transfer Rates Up to 3Gb/s per eSATA specs Up to 480Mb/s per USB 2.0 specs
Connection Type SATA
Structure Type Aluminum Body with Plastic Trim
Drive Cooling Passive via Aluminum frame heat dispersion with ventilation ports
Activity Indicators Device Power and Drive Activity via LED
OS Support Windows 98/SE/ME/2000/XP/Vista, Mac OS 9.0 or higher
Power Draw 2W
Dimensions (LxWxH) 194 x 142.6 x 42.6 mm
Weight 1.10 lbs.
Living With It
The one thing that stands out about this product is how simple it is to install a hard drive. It’s as simple as flipping a switch and opening the door up and sliding in the hard drive. This should work great for people who change out hard drives more often. The Icy Dock is way easier than most enclosures where you have to tear the enclosure apart to install a new hard drive. The only downside to the screw-less install is the front door. Even though it is a great design; the door is made of plastic when the rest of the enclosure is made out of Aluminum. Given the amazing quality of the rest of the enclosure the doors quality stands out. When you want to stand the enclosure up there are legs built into the bottom. They are easy to fold out and do a great job of keeping the enclosure upright.
Overall
The Icy Dock MB664 is an amazing design. Its defiantly one of those products that makes you wonder why other company’s didn’t do that. The style is what I can only call an apple style. Everything is designed to be simple and just plain work. Of course there are going to be downsides. He front door doesn’t seem to have the same quality that the rest of the enclosure. The price of the enclosure reflects its overall quality meaning that it does cost more than most other hard drive enclosures. But you are getting a great product. As they say, you get what you pay for. If you get the chance to check out out in person or to pick one up, I highly recommend it!