Mediasonic ProRaid 2 Bay 3.5” - Review

When it comes to data storage, security, and retrieval, having a reliable and efficient hard drive enclosure is a necessity. One such enclosure that has been receiving considerable attention in the market is the Mediasonic ProRaid 2 Bay 3.5” SATA Hard Drive Enclosure (HUR3-SU3S3). In this review, we shall delve into the features, advantages, and limitations of this hard drive enclosure.

Design

The Mediasonic ProRaid HUR3-SU3S3 has an impressive aesthetic design, with the case material crafted from metal to enhance durability and longevity. The 2 bay enclosure can support all brands of 3.5” SATA I/II/III hard drives with a maximum of 16TB per drive, giving users ample storage for their data. It also has an embedded hardware RAID controller that enhances data integrity and supports redundancy backup capability.

Connectivity

The Mediasonic ProRaid HUR3-SU3S3 offers two connectivity options; USB 3.0 and eSATA. For faster transfer rates, USB 3.0 interface provides a transfer rate of up to 5.0 Gbps, the eSATA interface supporting up to 6.0 Gbps. This feature ensures speedy data transfer and eliminates the need for waiting for long hours to transfer massive files, which is a significant advantage, especially for businesses that deal with large volumes of data.

Smart Fan Function and LED light indicators

The ProRaid enclosure has a Smart Fan function that automatically adjusts fan speed based on the internal temperature, reducing noise, and improving ventilation. It is also equipped with LED light indicators that display the enclosure's system status. These features are crucial for monitoring the state of the enclosure, detecting technical issues and ensuring that the hardware is functioning correctly.

Support for UASP protocol and S.M.A.R.T

The Mediasonic ProRaid HUR3-SU3S3 supports the latest UASP protocol, which enhances data transfer speed to offer better performance than the conventional USB Attached SCSI Protocol (UASP) devices. It also supports Self-Monitoring, Analysis, and Reporting Technology (S.M.A.R.T.) that enables the hard drive to monitor and diagnose the performance and health of the drive to avert any potential malfunction.

Advantages

The Mediasonic ProRaid HUR3-SU3S3 has a set of advantages that make it stand out among similar hard drive enclosures in the market. Firstly, the built-in hardware RAID controller with redundant backup capabilities enhances the safety of your data. It eliminates the risk of data loss or corruption due to system failure, making it a suitable option for businesses and individuals that require reliable storage.

Secondly, the Smart Fan Function ensures proper ventilation, thereby reducing the heat emitted by the units. It results in a slower fan spin rate, leading to a quieter working environment.

Moreover, the UASP protocol, with its transfer speed of up to 6 Gbps and support of S.M.A.R.T attributes, helps the enclosure to offer optimal data transfer rates, secure data backup, and the ability to detect potential technical issues, making it more efficient and reliable.

Limitations

Despite its strengths, the Mediasonic ProRaid HUR3-SU3S3 has some limitations. Some users report that the enclosure's fan can be quite loud at times, and the design does not allow for fan replacement, which could be a significant drawback for users. Additionally, some users complained that the enclosure can be challenging to set-up and install, which can be a downside for people who are not tech-savvy.

Conclusion

The Mediasonic ProRaid HUR3-SU3S3 is a reliable, efficient, and durable hard drive enclosure that is well-suited for users, businesses, and organizations that require secure data backup and storage. While it has some drawbacks, such as loud fan noise and challenging installation, the advantages outweigh the downsides significantly.

In summary, the Mediasonic ProRaid HUR3-SU3S3 is a worthy investment in data storage considering its impressive features, such as the UASP protocol, redundant backup capability, and LED light indicators, among others. It is an adequate option for individuals, freelancers, businesses, and organizations that prioritize data integrity and security. Nonetheless, the decision to purchase this unit would still depend on an individual’s personal needs and preferences.

Mediasonic ProRaid 2 Bay 3.5”

View Product Price