IcyDock MB452 3.5" External HDD Enclosure

Introduction:

   External Hard Drive enclosures are big business today. What was once a necessity has become not only a common component for a lot of users, but it's also a fashion statement for some. HDD Enclosures are available in a multitude of colors, styles, and functions.

   Today I have for review a new product from a recognized name in the HDD enclosure market: the IcyDock MB452 3.5" External HDD Enclosure. However IcyDock hasn't been making much of a splash in this segment for quite some time. Let's take a look at see how their new unit stacks up against the fierce competition in this market segment.

Packaging:

Retail Front	Retail Rear	Different Models
Bad Internal Protection	What's Inside	One Fatality

    Usually in this "packaging" section, there isn't much to say. However this time, it turns out there is something to say, and this is the reason I stress to the guys to put the stock retail packaging pictures in these reviews. I don't know about you, but a good retail box can show numerous traits about the manufacturer they originate.

   Ok, on to the first impressions. As with most of my review items, they're shipped to me double boxed. That means I get the actual product in a larger box with something like foam peanuts or padding to ensure I gets to me safely. Usually that means when I dig the actual product out of the shipping box, it's in mint condition.

   However this time was an anomaly. At first glance the retail box on the MB452 appeared to be perfect, but once I grabbed the unit to pick it up, I immediately noticed how flimsy and "squishy" the box felt. I suspected something was amiss.

   After taking the initial outside pictures, I opened up the box and saw the problem. It was a case of horrible product protection on the inside. Rather than using soft foam end caps on the HDD enclosure like a lot of manufacturers do, IcyDock instead went the thin cardboard "fold-outs", for lack of a better word. This method provides next to no crush protection for the product inside, and ultimately resulted in my test units packaging being completely crushed on the inside.

   Once I wrestled the unit out from within the mangled web of cardboard inside, I noticed that the main unit was in a ziploc bag along with the manual. There was also a DC power adapter and another cord needed for installation.

   Once I removed the MB452 from it's bag and started the ritualistic groping of the product (o_0), I felt something was missing. It turns out that one of the rubber "feet" was ripped completely off. Once again bad packaging rears its ugly head.

   The last thing I noticed about the product at this point so far was it's overall feel. Honestly, I've felt allot of products in my time, and I've got a pretty good feel for things by now. This unit immediately felt "tinny" to me. I know that IcyDock states the "solid aluminum construction" and all, but it just felt "cheap" to me. The aluminum didn't feel like it was flexible, it felt like it was very brittle. It actually felt like the aluminum used in it's construction was very porous, at least for the silver parts in this unit.

   Oh yea, I also want to mention that, judging from the pictures on the packaging, I thought I was getting the unit with the LCD on the front for like 2 days. Then I opened it and realized I got the non-pimpy looking one. :(

Well, we're not off to a strong start here....let's move on.