And you can tell I like it, because I got another Smart Drive for my second computer! Both of my enclosures were used, which means about half-price, but I now believe that these boxes justify their prices, even at $65-70 each. Here's why.
Today's heatsinks, fans, and power supplies enable us to build very quiet computers with ease and reasonable expense. Once the hard drive is your PC's loudest component, there are only a few potential solutions:
- 2.5" drives
- solid-state drives
- remote drives
- enclosures
I certainly don't think that an enclosure is appropriate in every circumstance, and $70 is A LOT of money for a little aluminum and foam. But I do believe that too many people quickly dismiss such enclosures without realizing that they may offer a reasonable long-term investment in silence. If you object to the price, try a $35 Scythe or go DIY. But listen up, SPCR! Not enough of us use these things.
Discuss!