Thunderbolt Drive Enclosure: It's About Frickin' Time at DVinfo.net

Brett Sherman · February 4th, 2013, 03:47 PM

Finally, it looks like someone has made exactly what I need. A trayless 4-bay Thunderbolt enclosure.

Triple Thunderbolt | USB3.0 | eSATA hardware raid/jbod enclosure with five drive tray-less

It's a bit pricey at over $700. But, given that I have a pre-USB 3.0 MacBook Pro, my only options are this or wait for the Belkin Thunderbolt Dock and couple it with a USB 3.0 enclosure.

I'm curious if anyone has experience with this. Or am I going to have to be the guinea pig?

Dmitri Zigany · February 4th, 2013, 08:25 PM

I wish someone released a Thunderbolt enclosure for just one 2.5" drive. Getting one with a SSD is ridiculously expensive... I guess an empty TB enclosure would be expensive too, though :/

Brett Sherman · February 6th, 2013, 07:27 PM

Check this out:
http://www.elgato.com/elgato/na/main...oltSSD.en.html

Might not be what you're looking for. But it is possible.

Kevin Spahr · February 10th, 2013, 08:37 AM

I would only buy a drive with two thunderbolt ports. The ability to pass through is a must in my book - my MacBook Pro with only one thunderbolt port that is.

Dmitri Zigany · February 10th, 2013, 05:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brett Sherman

Check this out:
Elgato Thunderbolt? SSD - Portable High-Speed Drive
Might not be what you're looking for. But it is possible.

I want an empty TB enclosure... The ones that come with SSDs are so overpriced it's rediculous. And Elgato is the most expensive brand offering them that I've seen. At least here in Sweden.

Dmitri Zigany · February 10th, 2013, 05:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kevin Spahr

I would only buy a drive with two thunderbolt ports. The ability to pass through is a must in my book - my MacBook Pro with only one thunderbolt port that is.

I have the retina MacBook Pro which has 2 thunderbolt ports. And with current prices I'm happy if I can afford just one tb device ;)

Thomas Smet · February 18th, 2013, 04:52 PM

What about the Seagate adapters? The 2.5" version will work with any 2.5" drive including a SSD. I use the desktop 3.5" version and love it. I bought one thunderbolt device and can use as many 3.5" drives as I want. I would never buy a single thunderbolt drive since they are a complete waste of money.

I do use the FW800 seagate adapter for 2.5 drives and it works great.

The thunderbolt version may not be an enclosure but it is a great way to get as fast of speeds as possible with single drives and would be great for SSD drives.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/840972-REG/Seagate_STAE121_GoFlex_Thunderbolt_Adapter.html
desktop version does have two thunderbolt ports.

Cuong Quach · April 29th, 2013, 01:06 PM

Brett Sherman

Did you get the enclosure?

I see there is an option to have dual TBolt ports for daisy chain

Salvatore Privitera · April 30th, 2013, 08:35 AM

Check this out:
OWC's Elite Pro External Hard Drive + Lacie's Thunderbolt eSATA Adapter Combo Package - Up to 8.0TB Storage

Cuong Quach · July 30th, 2014, 05:59 PM

I pulled the plug, get one of this eBOX-TeSU from AMAZON, base on AMAZON user's reviews
It's solid, easy - set up a RAID take less than 2 min.
I have to say, it's a good purchased

Craig McKenna · August 12th, 2014, 09:32 AM

I currently have a G-Tech 4TB Thunderbolt RAID.

I would love to switch it out for a replaceable drive unit though... it's true that they're a complete rip off... although performance has been superb - it's a noisy and sometimes poorly reviewed item, which doesn't fulfil me with confidence moving forward as it ages.

February 4th, 2013, 03:47 PM	#1
Brett Sherman Major Player Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Mount Rainier, MD Posts: 428	Thunderbolt Drive Enclosure: It's About Frickin' Time Finally, it looks like someone has made exactly what I need. A trayless 4-bay Thunderbolt enclosure. Triple Thunderbolt \| USB3.0 \| eSATA hardware raid/jbod enclosure with five drive tray-less It's a bit pricey at over $700. But, given that I have a pre-USB 3.0 MacBook Pro, my only options are this or wait for the Belkin Thunderbolt Dock and couple it with a USB 3.0 enclosure. I'm curious if anyone has experience with this. Or am I going to have to be the guinea pig?

February 4th, 2013, 08:25 PM	#2
Dmitri Zigany Major Player Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Berlin, Germany Posts: 286	Re: Thunderbolt Drive Enclosure: It's About Frickin' Time I wish someone released a Thunderbolt enclosure for just one 2.5" drive. Getting one with a SSD is ridiculously expensive... I guess an empty TB enclosure would be expensive too, though :/

February 6th, 2013, 07:27 PM	#3
Brett Sherman Major Player Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Mount Rainier, MD Posts: 428	Re: Thunderbolt Drive Enclosure: It's About Frickin' Time Check this out: http://www.elgato.com/elgato/na/main...oltSSD.en.html Might not be what you're looking for. But it is possible.

February 10th, 2013, 08:37 AM	#4
Kevin Spahr Major Player Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Carlisle, PA Posts: 451	Re: Thunderbolt Drive Enclosure: It's About Frickin' Time I would only buy a drive with two thunderbolt ports. The ability to pass through is a must in my book - my MacBook Pro with only one thunderbolt port that is.

February 18th, 2013, 04:52 PM	#7
Thomas Smet Trustee Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Milwaukee, WI Posts: 1,719	Re: Thunderbolt Drive Enclosure: It's About Frickin' Time What about the Seagate adapters? The 2.5" version will work with any 2.5" drive including a SSD. I use the desktop 3.5" version and love it. I bought one thunderbolt device and can use as many 3.5" drives as I want. I would never buy a single thunderbolt drive since they are a complete waste of money. I do use the FW800 seagate adapter for 2.5 drives and it works great. The thunderbolt version may not be an enclosure but it is a great way to get as fast of speeds as possible with single drives and would be great for SSD drives. http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/840972-REG/Seagate_STAE121_GoFlex_Thunderbolt_Adapter.html desktop version does have two thunderbolt ports.

April 29th, 2013, 01:06 PM	#8
Cuong Quach Tourist Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Irvine, CA Posts: 3	Re: Thunderbolt Drive Enclosure: It's About Frickin' Time Brett Sherman Did you get the enclosure? I see there is an option to have dual TBolt ports for daisy chain

April 30th, 2013, 08:35 AM	#9
Salvatore Privitera Regular Crew Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Middletown, CT Posts: 46	Re: Thunderbolt Drive Enclosure: It's About Frickin' Time Check this out: OWC's Elite Pro External Hard Drive + Lacie's Thunderbolt eSATA Adapter Combo Package - Up to 8.0TB Storage

July 30th, 2014, 05:59 PM	#10
Cuong Quach Tourist Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Irvine, CA Posts: 3	Re: Thunderbolt Drive Enclosure: It's About Frickin' Time I pulled the plug, get one of this eBOX-TeSU from AMAZON, base on AMAZON user's reviews It's solid, easy - set up a RAID take less than 2 min. I have to say, it's a good purchased

August 12th, 2014, 09:32 AM	#11
Craig McKenna Major Player Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: Liverpool Posts: 495	Re: Thunderbolt Drive Enclosure: It's About Frickin' Time I currently have a G-Tech 4TB Thunderbolt RAID. I would love to switch it out for a replaceable drive unit though... it's true that they're a complete rip off... although performance has been superb - it's a noisy and sometimes poorly reviewed item, which doesn't fulfil me with confidence moving forward as it ages.