Unboxing the Dockcase Explorer Edition M.2 SSD Enclosure
Introduction
Today, we're diving into an exciting Kickstarter project that takes M.2 SSD enclosures to the next level, along with USB Type-C hubs. Meet the Dockcase Explorer Edition M.2 SSD enclosure – a game-changer boasting faster data transfer speeds, robust hardware protection, and a unique built-in display monitoring feature.
Exploring Innovative Features
Let's kick off by exploring the innovative features that set the Dockcase Explorer apart from the rest. I'll be testing its data transfer performance, comparing it to a traditional legacy enclosure. Stick around for the in-depth review.
The Evolution of Storage
Legacy hard drives are nearly extinct, and we've transitioned to using SATA SSDs and the latest ultra-high-speed M.2 NVME SSDs. While these advancements bring faster data transfer, one crucial aspect often overlooked is the health of the SSD. Despite their lightning speeds, SSDs have a limited lifespan and can degrade over time.
Unveiling the Design
Upon unboxing, you'll find the enclosure, a braided 10 Gbps USB Type-C to Type-C cable, a screwdriver, a spare SSD screw, and a user manual. The enclosure itself boasts a design featuring aluminum for effective heat dissipation, a tempered glass surface, and a groundbreaking LCD health monitoring screen.
Easy Installation Process
Installing your SSD is a breeze. Simply remove the back panel screw, secure the SSD with the provided screw, place it in the designated slot, secure it further based on its size, peel off the thin plastic covering the heat pad, and reinstall the back panel.
Monitoring Features and Performance Test
For this review, I'm using a 1TB Samsung Evo 970 Plus NVME M.2 SSD. Now, let's delve into the monitoring features of the Dockcase Explorer Edition.
Built-in LCD Display
The standout feature is the built-in LCD display, offering hardware protection and monitoring. Upon plugging it in, the display boots up, detecting the inserted SSD and allowing your device to recognize it. The display shows Power Loss Protection (PLP), SSD type, health status, and USB port detection, complete with color indicators.
Navigation and Menus
Navigating through menus involves a combination of long presses, double presses, single presses, and timeouts. The menus include SSD information, About Me, settings for read-only mode and screen saver timer, hardware monitoring, and manual ejection options.
Smart File Transfer Detection
A unique feature is the smart file transfer detection and monitoring, providing real-time read and write speeds, data sessions, and total data transferred over the drive's lifespan during file transfers.
Performance Comparison
Now, let's compare the Dockcase Explorer's performance against a legacy enclosure. The Dockcase boasts a sequential read speed of 1058 MB/s and a write speed of 1043 MB/s – consistent with other enclosures using the Realtek 9210 chipset.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the Dockcase Explorer Edition is not just a sleek and high-tech M.2 enclosure; it delivers on both performance and SSD protection. Available on Amazon in black, pink, and silver, you can currently grab a $16 coupon off the original $89.99 price tag.
So, if you're in the market for a cutting-edge M.2 SSD enclosure that combines style, performance, and advanced monitoring features, the Dockcase Explorer Edition is worth considering.
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