2.5IN USB Sata Hard Drive Enclosure with Built In USB Cable Review

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(More customer reviews)WHAT I DID
Simply put, I bought this case, put in my own 500gb drive, and use my own sync software.This is piecemeal approach but NO-ONE has another solution better.All the "pre-fab" hardware/software is crap for simply syncing files.BACKUP GOALS
I want to simply "syncronize" the files on my PC with a backup drive ...BUT...I want them to remain in a standard Windows file tree format.Sound easy right?WRONG!Virtually EVERY backup drive solution today uses some kind of branded crapware that wants to take over your backup process deciding what files to backup, their tree structure, and how you later access them.This is BS!

I just want to plug in a drive, start some software, choose which file folders to syncronize, and be done.If I want to carry my drive to another PC and fetch files (or place new ones on it) I want to control this, not some BS software.I want to see a STANDARD tree like any other drive and pick or place files. BACKUP PROCESS
There are clear understandings you MUST make in this process:
(1) STYLE:Do you want to "SYNC", "BACKUP", or "CLONE" data? Sync is to compare and keep copies on outboard drive that are easily accessable and you can move them back and forth.Backup is to simply plug and save your files incase your drive crashes, you can pull back data somehow.Clone makes a complete mirror image of the drive every time.
(2) TIME:Syncing a few files might take 5 minutes to compare drives and compare and update them.Backup using GOOD software (Clickfree) weekly usually takes me about 20 minutes each time.Clone takes me about 6 hours on a 500gb drive with 300gb of data.OTHER SOLUTIONS PREVIOUSLY USED
1) I tried an Iomega Vclone solution and it was "VJUNK".It never finished backup up my 100gb of files after 12 hours.RIDICULOUS!It also planted files on my cdrive I cannot get off now.This thing "TRIES" to create some kind of virtual PC on this drive to run on another PC.GARBAGE.It could bare make a clean backup and this virtual concept was trash running like a 486 with 256mb of memory.Absurd.

2) I have used the Apricorn EZGig2 software and drive case for full clone of drive for 3 years with excellent results but this is a very slow process taking 6 hours to clone my 500gb drive which is just too slow.It is a solid solution to make sure I have a good backup of the main drive which I do every couple months but just too tedious.It has SAVED me twice with dead drives.

3) I use a "ClickFree" drive also and it works very nicely copying all files.You can go back and recover files ...BUT...you must boot and work through the defined Clickfree software interface which is clumsy.The autobackup process is quite good though and I use it on my PC's as a quickie backup weekly just in case.Again...it is not a daily solution nor a good solution for moving around files...just an emergency backup.SYNC SOFTWARE
You MUST source some kind of sync software.I have tried a dozen but only found three that work well, clearly showing the trees, and offering reliable syncs.
1) SyncToy from Microsoft is minimal and works well for a few folders.It is clumsy for multiple folders.
2) Syncback from 2brightsparks.com is very nice ONCE you get it setup. The setup is tedious but does a great job keeping thing synced but is $50...way too much $$ for what it is.The free startup version is good for a few folders.
3) I use FolderMatch from SaltyBrine for $35.Once you choose folders (no real setup perse) it remembers and does a "comparison" of your main drive and backup.This allows you to double check what you want to rewrite/add.It is very smooth.
4) Use File Explorer is you just want to copy a few files.It works and no worries. This is not really a "sync" but it does work.THE CASE ITSELF
The case is very sturdy extruded aluminum, the drive mounts mechanically to the internal PC board well, and the flip out USB plug is a dream - no cables or connectors to mess with.The power draw (CRITICAL) is low for such a case and I have never had to use a USB dual-plug splitter on my 4 HP, Sony, or Acer laptops. Good product. SUMMARY
The case is very good but you need solid software with it.Spend a little time and you have FINALLY a SIMPLE way to copy/move around files to multiple machines.

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2.5IN USB SATA HARD DRIVEENCLENCLOSURE W/ BUILT IN USB CABLE

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