Kingwin Elite External Enclosure

Manufacturer: Kingwin Inc.
Supplied by: Kingwin Inc.
Street Price: $35

by Dean Barker (5/24/2008)

Introduction

The utility of external hard drive enclosures has long been established as the best and most cost effective way to transport large data files as well as backing up mission critical data.  Picking which enclosure however has become the real trick these days.  Any choice is governed by features, aesthetics and price.  If the price isn't right or the unit looks like fudge, end users move on.  The same is true about features.  Maybe you just need a USB connection or maybe you want a faster external SATA port.  For manufacturers, putting together just the right mix is easier said than done.

Over the years, Kingwin has released a number of different styles of drive enclosures.  Their most recent is the Kingwin Elite.  The Elite comes in three colors and offers standard USB 2.0 and eSATA connections in addition to a proven software package making back ups a one button affair.  Today, we have a one of Kingwin's new Elite enclosures on the review bench for a closer look.  Let's get started.

Specifications

• Application: External 3.5" Drive Enclosure

• Interface: USB 2.0 / eSATA up to 3GB/sec transfer rate

• Dimensions: 205 x 35 x 130mm (w/o stand)

• Construction: Plastic / Aluminum

• Power: External Power Adapter

• Hot swappable

• One touch back up with included software

• Colors: Black, Blue or Red

What you get

Kingwin always can be counted on for included everything you need.  Enclosed with the Kingwin Elite unit is a vertical stand, USB cable (three feet in length), an external SATA cable (38" in length), power adapter, driver mounting screws, driver/utility mini CD and an instruction booklet.

The Unit

Below we have samples of both the red and blue colored Kingwin Elite Enclosures.  The third color, no shown, is black.  The blending of the silver, grey and colored sections of the enclosure is a bit bolder than we've seen in the past from Kingwin but not unpleasant. 

  

The face is labeled with product identification while the reverse side has the customary FCC approval sticker (that comes off quite easily.)  Also notice the clear acrylic vertical stand.  The contact points on the stand are four rubber feet of sorts that dampen out any possible vibration an installed drive my create.  The drives may be laid flat or by use of the stand tucked beside a machine next to a router or broadband modem.

  

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