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These days it seems like
everyone is making some sort of USB drive enclosure so it takes
something more to stand out. IPC Queen's new Dual USB to IDE HDD
enclosure brings the ability to run two different 3.5" drives in the
same enclosure. Thanks to out friends over at Sundial Micro we
have a chance to put this double decked enclosure to the test. Are
two drives better than one? Lets find out here at the Club!
The packaging has a nice balance of
information and product images. With so many USB enclosures on the
market, the physical look is often the most critical decision point when
choosing an enclosure. Our IPC Queen unit actually looks somewhat
different
than the pictures shown on the box!
As you can see here, the
aluminum enclosure is available in red, black, blue and silver.
The packaging refers to the enclosure as the Brilliant Dual 3.5" USB
Hart Drive External Enclosure. I would guess this particular
enclosure is being manufactured and then rebadged for distribution.
Between the images and the information presented on the packaging a
potential buyer has everything they need right at their fingertips.
Our box had a little assistance opening
from the local delivery guy! Fortunately the actual unit is well
packaged and arrived no worse for wear.
Features:
- Fit DUAL IDE HDD.
- Color: BLACK.
- Plug-n-play-supports USB 2.0 connections from any desktop or
notebook PC or Mac.
- One DC FAN to dissipate heat and extend hard drive disk life.
- Hi-Speed USB 2.0 transfer rates up to 480 M bits/sec.
- USB 1.1 and USB 2.0 compatible.
- Ideal solution for any brand 3.5 Inches IDE HDD (PATA, Parallel
ATA) hard disk drive.
- Hard drive activity light to indicate.
- Stand vertically without holder
- Stylish anodized aluminum cover.
Specifications:
- Fit DUAL IDD HDD
- Interfaces: USB 1.1 / 2.0
- Support 480 Mbps High Speed and 12 Mbps full speed USB operation
- AC/DC 12V/5V Dual External Power Supply with power cord
- LED Indicators: Front-Power, HDD activity
- Case Material: Black Aluminum
- Mounting Method: horizontal or vertical
- EMI/Safety: FCC, CE
- Weight: 4 lbs/1.83Kg
- Dimensions: 218 (L) x 123 (W) x 68(H)mm
Environments:
- Power requirements: 110-220 VAC, 50-60 HZ, 12V/2A, 5V/2A
- Operating temperature: 5 to 50 C
- Storage temperature: -40 to 70 C
- Operating humidity: 5 - 90%, non-condensing
System Requirements:
For PC
For MAC
- USB 2.0: Mac OS 10.2 or higher
- USB 1.1: Mac OS 9.1 or higher
(Must update the USB extension to v1.41 or higher between Mac OS 8.6
and Mac OS 9.04)
- Computer must have proper port or PCI card
The enclosure is finished in black aluminum and capped
with two matching plastic panels. The two tabs you see on the ends
above will allow the enclosure to stand vertical without an additional
bracket. After seeing so many similar setups holding a single 2.5"
drive the dual 3.5" setup seems gigantic.
The two ends are finished in a neutral grey shade that
is an almost perfect match for my background cloth! The back end
shown here houses the cooling fan and all of the required plugs.
This enclosure will not function without the external power supply.
The front features a logo that doubles as the hard
drive activity light. I believe the logo is from Okgear's drive
line but it
looks much nicer than the row of stars shown on the packaging! I
am not sure if the OKgear is a rebadging of IPCQueen or vice versa but
many manufacturers use products manufactured in the same factories these
days.
Inside the box we find the external
power cabling, a USB cable, mounting screws, a software disk and an
installation guide.
The installation guide provides all of
the information found on the box in greater detail. Hardware
installation is easy to follow and accompanied by detailed color photos.
This level of quality is a definite bonus for those trying out their
first external enclosure installation.
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