Review on 📁 StarTech.com eSATAp 2.5" Portable External Hard Drive Enclosure - SATA III HDD/SSD Enclosure with UASP (S251SMU33EP) by Darryl Duncan

This review is for the StarTech.com eSATAp/eSATA External Hard Drive Enclosure. I'm usually very happy with my purchases and rarely write reviews, but there are a few issues with this product that people should consider before purchasing. On a positive note, this case performs well in both eSATA and USB 3.0 modes. I haven't run any tests, but the drives appear to be just as fast as in other cases or with direct internal connections. Cons: There is a serious problem with the case itself. The drive cannot be installed without cutting the case itself. See photos. The case is too short to fit the drive in without using too much force, how do you eject the drive? There really is no way to apply the opposite force to eject the disc. In the attached images you can see how the SSD and HDD are pressed firmly against the PCB connector and don't even come close to falling into the case. Other images show the modifications needed to make the case work and the case assembled (note how close the drive is to the removed part of the case). It cost the case two stars as I had to hook up a dremel to get it working. There's a second, smaller issue if you don't need it. The included eSATA cable cannot transfer power. They include a USB power cable, but it seems a bit misleading to sell an eSATAp enclosure and then not include a compatible cable. I called StarTech.com support and they confirmed that the included unpowered eSATA cable would work with this kit. If you want to use eSATAp, budget an extra $12.50 for this cable: https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B004XW2TH8/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o03_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 It cost the case one star , because that omission won't matter to everyone, but it does matter if that particular feature is the reason you're looking at that particular case. A small complaint, the kit does not include rubber feet for the case. No big deal, but I went for it.