Introduction

External enclosures. Throw in a simple internal hard drive and you have an external "Portable" hard drive. However, choosing an enclosure is not a simple matter once you've seen what all is available. There are different materials, different sizes, different interfaces, different cooling techniques, etc.]

The company behind Eagle Tech has been around since 1992. Sky Hawk Computer Group, of which Eagle Tech is a subsidiary, have expanded since 1992 and currently produces computer cases, power supply units and external enclosures. Though still a relatively unheard of name, their products have some of the best features and best prices out there. Their Consensus line of external enclosures is currently on the chopping block. I'll be testing the ET-CSTSIU2-BK and ET-CSMESU2-BK today.


Package

The package from Eagle Tech came from California via FedEx. The box was taped up well and fared well in it's cross country journey. No dents or tears in the box,I guess FedEx likes me. A far cry from a few years ago. Maybe they've grown up and matured?

The box was tightly packaged with three enclosures and a small amount of packing peanuts. Also included was a sealed envelope with a personal letter to me as well as flyers for the D, M and T series of the Consensus storage line. A sealed envelope with my name, awesome.

The retail package of both enclosures is very simple and clean. Their color scheme is white, orange, black and some silver. The front advertises the series name and a basic overview with the features being listed on the side. On the back is a selection of which model it is, since each series comes in a variety of configurations. These vary from SATA/IDE and USB/eSATA/FireWire interfaces.

Inside the packages, you get a power adapter, manual, installation CD, USB 2.0 cable and the SATA cables. The manuals are very thorough. You could easily follow the manual if you had very limited knowledge of computer hardware


T- Series Features & Specifications

Let's take a look at the specifications for the ET-CSTSIU2-BK from the
Eagle Tech web site:

Overview

Built with network users in mind, the T series is a simple NAS packed with features that are easy to use. You can share files over a local network or the internet and protect your data with folder-level security. No special drivers or servers needed. Constructed using only the finest and most durable aluminum, its thermally efficient chassis removes excess heat from your hard disks so you do not have to worry about overheating. Need to access your data in a hurry? The eSATA interface is up to six times faster than USB 2.0! Want to upgrade with SATA but still got an older IDE drive around? Put it to use with the hybrid version.

Features

M- Series Features & Specifications

Let's take a look at the specifications for the ET-CSMESU2-BK from the
Eagle Tech web site:

Overview

Entirely crafted using the finest and most durable lightweight aluminum, the M series is in a class by itself when it comes to impeccable fit and finish. Built tough to withstand everyday wear and tear – even accidents, this unit is targeted at professional users on the go. Quickly swap hard drives with its unique tool-less design: just unlock the drive bay and slide in the hard drive. It’s that easy – no tools, no screws, no cables to mess with. Need to access your data in a hurry? The eSATA interface boasts up to 3.0 Gbps of data transfer rate - that's six times faster than high-speed USB 2.0. Did we mention its exquisite honeycomb structure available nowhere else? It maximizes airflow and prevents your hard drives from overheating.

Features