Legit Storage Reviews

Thermaltake BlacX Duet HDD Docking Station

Manufacturer: Thermaltake
Product: ST0014U
Date: Wed, Nov 25, 2009 - 12:00 AM
Written By: Joe Evans -
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Thermaltake Blacx Duet Intorduction

External hard drive docks are becoming more common as the price of hard drive storage drops while users are migrating to Solid State Drives (SSD's), leaving them with extra drives. Rather than trying to cram all of those drives into an already cramped chassis, an external dock is a smart alternative as drives can be easily moved to multiple computers, NAS units, and other devices that are configured to accept external storage. Thermaltake has released an external docking station that holds two drives simultaneously connecting via both USB and eSATA connections which can be found online for just under $50.00 USD.

Thermaltake Blacx Duet Dock - Box Front

Having the option for an eSATA connection is a great feature as you'll see in some of our benchmarks because the data transfer rates for USB 2.0 just aren't fast enough when you are accustomed to the speed of hard drives connected to SATA ports on the motherboard. With USB 3.0 still on the distant horizon, eSATA is really the way to go for fast data transfers for external storage.

Thermaltake Blacx Duet Dock - Box Rear

Features:
  • Read & Write 2 Hard Drives simultaneously
  • Supports All 2.5” & 3.5” SATA Hard Drives up to 2TB (per slot)
  • Hot-Swap Capability for Rapid Multi HDDs Access & Exchange
    • When utilizing eSATA interface, Port Multiplier feature is required on the host system’s eSATA controller for two hard disk drives to be seen at the same time. All USB supports Port Multiplier function.
  • Supports eSATA Transfer Speed up to 3.0 Gbps
  • Supports USB 2.0 Transfer Speed up to 480 Mbps
  • Windows & Mac OS Compatible
  • Rapid Data Access & Exchange w/ Single eSATA or USB Cable Connection
  • Open docking station design maximizes heat dissipation
  • RoHS Compliance
  • SSG (Solid State Grip) Technology: Anti-Slippery Grasp Base

Thermaltake Blacx Duet Dock - Front

Specifications:

Enclosure Interface eSATA
USB 2.0
Transfer Rate eSATA: up to 3Gbps
USB 2.0: up to 480Mbps
HDD Compatible SATA I
SATA II
HDD Capacity All 2.5” or 3.5” SATA HDD up to 2TB (per slot)
OS Compatible Windows 7 / Vista / XP / 2003 / 2000 ; Mac 10.3 and later
Material ABS Plastic
Power Input: 100-240V / 50-60Hz ; Output: 12V / 2A
Dimension 140 (W) 120.82 (D) x 69.49 (H) mm
5.51 (W) x 4.76 (D) x 2.74 (H) in
Accessory eSATA Cable
USB 2.0 Cable
Power Adaptor
Fan N/A
Weight 3 lbs
Special Features
  • Copy & Transfer data between Hard Drives & Computers
  • Hot-Swap Capability for Rapid Multi HDDs Access & Exchange
  • Compact Docking Station Design maximizes Heat Dissipation & Exhaust
  • Supports eSATA Transfer Speed up to 3Gbps

Let's have a closer look at the some of the features outlined above...



Next Page - Design, Setup & Accessories


Review Index
Page 1 - Thermaltake Blacx Duet Intorduction
Page 2 - Design, Setup & Accessories
Page 3 - ATTO & Crystal Mark Benchmarks
Page 4 - HD Tune Benchmarks
Page 5 - Final Thoughts and Conclusions