Make use of that spare drive! (Raidsonic ICY Box IB-351-U)

Member Name: free_peace_sweet

Product:	Raidsonic ICY Box IB-351-U
Date:	25/09/06 (1263 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Easy to install and cheap. Lots of options available

Disadvantages: Can get quite hot!

This version of ICY BOX is a sleek aluminium case with blue LED's housed in the grate. USB 2.0 coonecton and IDE interface.

It's use is to house a 3.5 Hard Disk and be used as a external mass storage device.

There are several versions of this particular model but functionality is the same. The versions are USB 2.0 or firewire connection and SATA or IDE Hard Disk conection and you can have with or without the blue LED's. So look at what you need before you buy. I had a spare 250 gig IDE drive and a free USB port. I also opted for the blue LED model as it one only a couple of pounds more and not to make it look pretty it shows activity on the drive by flashing on and off.

Easy to setup and install. It is a plug and play device so no need to install drivers unless you are using Windows 98. Out of the box you have one power adaptor and lead 110v - 220v so you can use it world wide with a plug adaptor. One USB or firewire cable. The case is held together by 4 gripped edge screw which you simply undo with your fingers. Once open you simply ensure the hard drive jumper is set to master and pop in your drive using the internal connection (IDE or SATA). sit in tight and screw the top back on. Plug in the powerlead at the back and also the USB or Firewire lead. Connct to PC and power supply and flick the handy on off switch on the back of the case. The Drive comes on you will notice the blue LED's flash if you have that model, Then the PC will detect new hardware. Follow the wizard and there you go all done.

The drive is a fanless design so it's not noisy. It does get quite warm though so make sure you put in a more robust hard drive if you tend to leave it on.

There is an optional stand with the ICY BOX which allows you to stand it on it's side. Looks very smart and saves space. However i found that i knocked it over alot.

Speed wise well USB 2.0 or firewire are pretty much as fast as each other. The overall speed of the device will depend on what speed Hard drive you use with it.

I paid £17 from Scan Computers for mine and it hads been a worth while investment. I use the drive mainly on my Desktop PC but the portability of it means i simply unplug it and stick it on my laptop when needed.

Overall a great device. Great as a backup solution or as extra storage. One thing i would like to see added at a later date is a network connection so i could attach it to my router.

Summary: Great buy and easy to use.

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