Ever found yourself in the need to be able to take a huge amount of computer related files with you on the road or say just over to a friends house. Your options are either to use multiple discs, multiple thumb drives, or carry your PC with you. I mean you spend precious time burning discs not to mention money, thumb drives work somewhat, but have serious size limitations and carrying your pc with you, Are you kidding? So what can you do to make such situations less painless? Well, Vantec just may have the answer you are looking for with their new NexStar Hard Drive Dock.
First Impression:
Vantec is a company that has been producing products to enhance and improve your computer in many ways since 1994. They offerproducts that range from cooling, peripherals, power supplys, accessories, notebook accessories, pc mods, and storage. So, when it comes to pc products they have left their mark in many areas and are not unknown by any means.
Today we will be talking about the Vantec NexStar Hard Drive Dock, their newest addition to their ever growing line of great computer products.
The Vantec NexStar
Vantec Description
The Vantec NexStar Hard Drive Dock is a complete and easy way to add or swap hard drives to your computer. It gives you the flexibility of connecting any SATA I/II hard drive to your computer via USB 2.0 or eSATA connection without opening up your computer case or installing into an enclosure. Simply just insert any 2.5” or 3.5” SATA I/II hard drive into the NexStar Hard Drive Dock and you are ready to transfer, copy, or backup files. Quick and easy, the Vantec NexStar Hard Drive Dock is the perfect solution to access your hard drive in seconds.
Features:
Install and Access Hard Drive in Seconds
Simple to Use Design; No Need to Add Enclosure or Open Case
Eject Button for Easy Removal of Hard Drive
Compatible With Any 2.5” or 3.5” SATA I/II Hard Drive
Add Storage to Any System with USB or eSATA
Plug & Play
Attractive Blue LED Power & HD Activity Light
Transfer Rates Up to 480Mbps w/USB 2.0
Transfer Rates Up to 3Gb/s w/SATA
Specifications:
Model:
NST-D100SU
Device Support:
SATA Hard Drive
Device Size:
2.5” or 3.5” Hard Drive
Internal Interface:
SATA
External Interface:
USB 2.0 & eSATA
HD Capacity:
Up to 1TB
Power Supply:
Dual 5V/12V 2A
Material:
Plastic
Dimension:
136x83x87mm
System Requirements:
Windows 98/SE/ME/200/XP/Vista
Package includes:
NexStar Hard Drive Dock, USB Cable, eSATA Cable, SATA to eSATA Bracket, Power Adapter, User Manual, CD Driver
The Vantec NexStar arrived via UPS in a Vantec branded shipping box instead of a generic brown box I am used to getting. It was well padded inside with styro-foam peanuts. Kudos.
NexStar box itself was shrink wrapped in plastic and was appealing to the eye with its lime green and black colors. The front had a picture of the NexStar powered on to show its attractive blue LED lighting and also a brief description of the product and what it is used for.
The back of the NexStar box has a much more detailed description, features list, specifications, package contents, and a couple of pictures to simulate the NexStar in practical use.
Removing the Vantec NexStar from it’s package reveals that Vantec takes their packaging seriously. First after the shrink-wrap is removed you slide the lime green and black outer cover off of an inner main box made of thick cardboard, painted black with a white Vantec logo. Opening the inner box reveals the NexStar, also wrapped in plastic, snugly packed in the middle of the box with plenty of cushion surrounding it.
When you remove the NexStar and take out the black cardboard cushion/support area that surrounded it and turn it up side down, you find Vantec has made use of every inch of this packaging. All the contents of the box are tucked away in the flaps of the inner most packaging.
Now with everything out of the box and spread out for a head count we find that along with the Vantec NexStar we receive; an installation CD (only necessary if using Windows 98), a user manual, a power cord, a power adapter, a USB cable, and eSATA cable and a SATA to eSATA pci bracket.
