Hardware

Computer | USB Enclosure

Long-term Field Test: 02.07.2021 to date


UGREEN 2,5 Zoll SATA External HD Enclosure made of ABS Plastic

USB Enclosure makes internal SSD usable on MacBook

I had been interested in internal SSDs for a long time, but since I have only used notebooks for years and didn't bother with external enclosures, I didn't buy one long ago.

Photo: UGREEN 2,5 Zoll USB-Gehäuse für HDD/SSD aus ABS-Kunststoff

29.06.2021: While browsing the Amazon offer at night, I become aware of external hard drive enclosures that are also suitable for SSDs. Amazon shows me the external USB hard drive enclosure UGREEN 2.5 inch SATA with USB 3.1 Gen. 2 for the selected SSD. I like it!

Purchasing

29.06.2021: Order at Amazon: WD Blue SATA SSD 4 TB (411.82 EUR)
and in addition:
UGREEN 2.5 inch SATA enclosure made of ABS plastic (16.99 EUR).
Amazon confirms the order and states the delivery date as 03.07.2021.
30.06.2021: Amazon's shipping confirmation; delivery date 02.07.2021.
02.07.2021: DHL has put Amazon's announcement into action.

Equipment

UGREEN 2,5 Zoll SATA Enclosure made of ABS plastic
USB cable USB-C to USB-A

Operating instructions (leaflet, 7 languages, including English)

Tech Specs

UGREEN 2.5 inch external hard drive enclosure

Model PID: US221
Model P/N: 50743
Enclosure material: ABS plastic
Connections:
Input: USB-C
Output: SATA 7+15 Pin

• supports UASP transport protocol
• supports SATA III, backwards compatible with SATA II/SATA I
• Standard mounting depth 2,5 Zoll SATA with less than 9.5 mm
• compliant with USB 3.1 standard with data transfer rates up to 6 Gbps, downward compatible with USB 2.0 and 1.1

• supports Windows/Linux/macOS

Dimensions (L x B x H): 133 x 82 x 15 mm, cable length: 50 cm

Practice

Initial operation:
Preparing for operation without tools is really easy: place the enclosure upside down on the packaging, for example, to avoid scratches, slide open the lid and lay it down.

Also unpack the intended hard disk or SSD in 2.5-inch format in SATA standard, peel off any protective sticker from the connector strip and then carefully push the hard disk or SSD into the enclosure with the connector strip first until the connector strip sits on the connector in the enclosure. On the right and left, the drive or SSD is securely clamped in place with foam parts.
Then carefully place the plastic cover so that it can slide in its rails as far as it will go.

Finally, plug in the USB-C cable. This model comes with one for computers with USB-A, i.e. a USB-C to USB-A cable. The slightly newer model with an aluminium top comes with a USB-C to USB-C cable. With this or a Thunderbolt 3 cable, it can also be operated on a Thunderbolt 3 port (backwards compatible).

Once the USB enclosure and storage (hard drive or SSD) is connected to the computer, it behaves the same as any other external hard drive or SSD. If an already used hard disk/SSD has been moved to this enclosure, its data is immediately available again. If, like me, it is a brand new SSD, it must now be set up.
I describe this in my test report on the WD Blue SATA SSD  …

Photos

Photo #1: Original box UGREEN 2.5-inch aluminium+ABS hard drive enclosure for HDD/SSD

Photo #1: Original box UGREEN 2.5-inch aluminium+ABS hard drive enclosure for HDD/SSD

Photo #2: opened original box, foil removed: UGREEN External 2.5-inch ABS USB Enclosure

Photo #2: opened original box: UGREEN External 2.5-inch ABS USB Enclosure

Photo #3: opened original box UGREEN External 2.5-inch ABS plastic USB enclosure

Photo #3: opened original box, foil removed: UGREEN External 2.5-inch ABS plastic USB enclosure

Photo #4: Scope of delivery: UGREEN External 2.5-inch USB case made of ABS plastic

Photo #4: Scope of delivery: UGREEN External 2.5-inch USB case made of ABS plastic

Photo #5: Scope of delivery UGREEN External 2.5-inch USB enclosure for HDD/SSD made of ABS plastic

Photo #5: Scope of delivery UGREEN External 2.5-inch USB enclosure for HDD/SSD made of ABS plastic

Photo #6: open UGREEN 2.5-inch hard drive enclosure with inserted WD Blue SATA SSD 4 TB

Photo #6: open UGREEN 2.5-inch hard drive enclosure with inserted WD Blue SATA SSD 4 TB

Photo #7: UGREEN External 2.5-inch USB Enclosure for HDD/SSD with USB-C Connector Socket

Photo #7: UGREEN External 2.5-inch USB Enclosure for HDD/SSD with USB-C Connector Socket

Photo #8: Side view UGREEN External 2.5-inch USB enclosure for HDD/SSD made of ABS plastic

Photo #8: Side view UGREEN External 2.5-inch USB enclosure for HDD/SSD made of ABS plastic

Photo #9: Top side UGREEN External 2.5-inch USB enclosure for HDD/SSD made of ABS plastic

Photo #9: Top side UGREEN External 2.5-inch USB enclosure for HDD/SSD made of ABS plastic

Pros

  • makes internal SSD on MacBook usable (cheaper than external models)
  • when exchanging for a larger hard disk/SSD, the old one can be used externally
  • Good processing quality, ABS plastic
  • High data transfer rate (up to 6 Gbps) possible

Cons

  • short USB cable USB-C to USB-A instead of USB cable USB-C to USB-C,
    but that is no real reason for complaint

Conclusion

I am very satisfied with this USB housing made of high-quality ABS plastic and can recommend it. However, the successor model with aluminium top looks more elegant and offers max. 10 Gbps instead of 6 Gbps.

Alternatives

UGREEN 2.5 inch SATA External Enclosure made of ABS and Aluminium
Successor model with higher transfer rate and USB-C cable

There are also other good manufacturers of such external enclosures. Since you are virtually entrusting your data to this device and depend on it being stored and read correctly, it pays to choose carefully and read buyer reviews. Stay away from manufacturers who promise a voucher for good reviews! You really do get that, but their devices are not always as good as promised. But with such inexpensive appliances, hardly anyone complains and the voucher is a mild reward.And in general: no pity without a backup. Every hard disk/SSD can suddenly have a defect, whether directly installed or in an external enclosure.

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