Now the file copy benchmark results.

The real-world file copy test clearly shows that the slower USB 2.0 interface is the bottleneck when it comes to RAID overhead, compared to a single drive. Of course, the Thermaltake BlacX SE isn’t meant to be a full-time external storage solution as the Sans Digital MobileSTOR MS2UTN+, which provides better cooling, and protection for its hard drives, and whose RAID 1 mode offers the additional security of data redundancy. And while it’s not likely you’ll find any SATA drive that will perform close to the maximum theoretical transfer rate of USB 2.0’s 480 Mbps, when connected to the BlacX SE, the 500GB Seagate Barracuda SATA drive does perform well within the expected parameters of being tethered to the slower (compared to SATA/eSATA) USB 2.0 bus.

Final Impressions and Conclusion

The Thermaltake BlacX SE is a much better alternative than having a  bare, powered-up hard drive lying around on a cluttered desk, sitting precariously on its side or on some other make-shift support, and basically being an accident waiting to happen. Enthusiasts who are frequent upgraders, techies and DIY-computer users will appreciate the BlacX SE’s rugged, space-saving design and its “it just works” ease of use. And there’s the added bonus of a 4-port USB 2.0 hub right at your fingertips.

The flip-open cover addresses an issue with the Thermaltake BlacX, which allowed the drive to shift slightly in the socket if bumped or nudged too hard. Some may find opening and closing the drive cover each time to swap out drives in the BlacX SE annoying, and that it defeats the purpose of fast hot-swapping in the first place. You can remove the cover, it you choose, but it doesn’t snap out easily—and there’s a good chance you might crack the cover or break one of the hinge pins in the process. I personally didn’t find the cover that much of a nuisance—but that’s just me. The cover also acts as a partial heat shield. So if you do remove it, keep in mind that passively cooled hard drives can be a lot hotter to the touch than those inside an enclosure cooled by fans—and that some drives run hotter than others. Your fingers will thank you for it.

The taller back rest on the BlacX SE also provides more vertical support for the inserted drive than the standard BlacX. It still leaves the hard drive’s circuit board exposed to potential static and other damage on certain models where the board is near the front of the drive, if you aren’t mindful of it. This isn’t an issue if you’re using drives where the circuit board is installed at the back of the drive, like the Seagate Barracuda used in this review, as the circuit board will be safely tucked out of harm’s way when you insert the drive into the BlacX SE.

Unless you’re using a drive that’s particularly noisy during seeks, the BlacX SE is definitely quieter than any fan-cooled enclosure, relying solely on the air around it to wick away the heat. I would like to have seen some type of heat-sink technology integrated into the design even if it did add a bit more to the cost and weight of the unit. The addition of an eSATA port, which would allow much faster disk performance at the SATA drive’s native speeds than USB 2.0, would definitely be at the very top of my list of improvements for future BlacX Docking Stations. A 6-foot, rather than the current 4-foot long cord, would be welcome, too.

With the exception of a lack of eSATA support, price is the only other thing I imagine someone would really balk at when considering the Thermaltake BlacX SE, which is a good $10 - $15 dollars more over the street price of the Thermaltake BlacX, which is currently priced in the low-to-mid $30 range. The BlacX SE will also take up a bit more room on your desk or workspace than the standard model. What you get for the extra coin and slight reduction in desktop real estate, is the convenience of a built-in 4-port USB 2.0 hub, which can certainly come in handy if you don’t have one available and happen to need one at the moment. No matter what hard drive you plug into the Thermaltake BlacX SE, you can be assured that it will be held in place a bit more securely than its less-expensive counterpart, thanks to its improved design.

If you need additional storage to use on a full-time basis with the added convenience of portability, there are a number of external hard drive enclosures on the market that will get the job done for you. But if you find yourself frequently working with multiple hard drives outside of a case for whatever reason, then do yourself and that collection of drives scattered and jury-rigged all over your workbench a favor: get the Thermaltake BlacX SE HDD Docking Station.