ICY BOX USB External Enclosures Review

👤by Tim Harmer Comments 📅16-09-13
ICYBOX IB-116SrU3-B HDD Docking Station




First up we have the somewhat less than snappily named IB-116StU3-B. But we're not here for names, we're here for the technology! The packaging certainly knows this, displaying the docking station with both 3.5" and 2.5" drives as well as keeping to the blue and white packaging we will swiftly become accustomed to in this review. Whilst a little busy, the outer packaging makes the features and requirements of the device quite clear, and in ten different languages no less.

Technical Specifications

Compatible Disk Sizes: 2.5", 3.5"

* Disk Interface:- SATA I/II/III

* PC Interface:- USB 3.0 (backwards compatible to USB 2.0)

* External Power:- Yes

* Dimensions:- 90mm x 130mm x 70mm (L x W x H)


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Unlike the other two devices we're reviewing today, the 116SrU3 is docking station type. The exterior a quite solidly finished plastic, with weight biased towards the floor to improve stability when a potentially heavy drive is inserted. Drives are inserted in the top, where a flap collapses if a 3.5" drive is installed or guides if a 2.5" HDD/SSD is inserted. The slot is 45mm deep, swallowing around the third of the length of a standard 3.5". Those with limited desk space will welcome the relatively small footprint, which though not slimline will only take up small amounts of space.

Located at the rear are the two external connections for data and 12V DC power. The USB port provided may be a little unfamiliar - it is USB 3.0 Type B, a standard which is backwards compatible with USB 2.0 Type B plugs if necessary. Icy Box provide a full USB 3.0 A-B cable with the 116SrU3, making it suitable for any system with a USB port - although you'll obviously want to make the most of the possible 5Gbps bandwidth if possible. The docking station supports Hot Plug functionality, and Icy Box recommend that you switch off power to the station before inserting and removing HDDs.



On the floor of the 116SrU3 are four small rubber feet and a product label which includes the serial number. Despite their size, they hold the docking station in place very well, generating a surprising amount of friction. The base is square where it meets the front of the dock, but curves at the rear. Normally this would result in a lack of stability, but the cables affixed to the rear will more than compensate.

On the front is a large panel with a blue and red LED at the centre. You get the impression that the chassis is a modified design re-purposed from other docking stations which would have additional features on this panel, but what it has is more than enough to indicate connectivity and activity.

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The 116StU3 is the sort of docking station you'll want if you're frequently shipping discrete HDDs between machines, and especially in that situation if there are limited HDD bays inside your PC. Some PC cases have this feature designed into the top I/O zone or 5.25" bay, but they're not typical and quite rare on diminutive mini-ITX and mATX chassis. The external docking station solution also provides a level of portability not otherwise offered.

Other high-speed external solutions are often eSATA rather than USB 3, which although increasingly a part of motherboard back-panel I/O isn't quite as ubiquitous as USB. When upgrading therefore the 116SrU3 offers more functional value, even if it may be held back by the USB protocol. The 116SrU3's party trick however is the ability to run at SATA III speeds on the HDD end, so that you can begin to saturate USB 3.0's 5Gbps data rate; many other USB 3.0 docking stations are limited to SATAII speeds. You will need an SSD or hybrid drive to approach those speeds with any regularity of course, but it does pay to have that piece of mind.



When inserting drives you will need to take care with your placement and the force you use. Although it does provide you with a guide to slide the drive into place, with our HDD there was a good 2mm gap between the back of the drive and the rear side of the docking port, whilst the front of the drive was flush with the front of the port. It's not a problem, but the sort of design quirk which you need to recognise in your first few sessions..

In operation, noise may be the only downside. Vibration characteristics will largely be dependant on the drive, and whilst there is some dampening provided it won't be sufficient to eliminate everything. This reinforces the presumption that it's a device to use as needed rather than have hooked up constantly, for which you would want a true enclosure.



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