Cooler Master X Craft 360 3.5in

Review: Cooler Master X Craft 360 3.5in

Final thoughts, HEXUS.certification, HEXUS.where2buy, HEXUS.right2reply, further reading

Although the X Craft 360 returns data transfer rates around 10% slower than the Antec MX-1 over USB, the results were still acceptable but only just. So it comes down to other factors such as value for money, build quality and noise.

The first of those is where the X Craft 360 suffers - it's selling online at a touch over £38 and that's just too expensive, especially when no eSATA bracket is included.

The build quality of the X Craft 360 is impressive, though, as is the finish. The piano-black surface is shiny and free of imperfections.

However, the X Craft 360's noise was a little concerning for a passively-cooled enclosure. A lack of sound-deadening material inside meant that the noise level was similar to that of the actively-cooled Antec MX-1.

That’s the killer blow right there though, as the X Craft 360 is much like any other passively-cooled HDD enclosure. The only difference is that it costs more.

We would have liked to have seen accessories that match the device's capabilities, as well as a keener price-point. Sure, the ease-of-use is appealing to the less technical among us but security is compromised as a result of this idiot-proofing.

On paper, Cooler Master's offering looked like a good proposition but, after going hands on, it's clear that the company needs to sort out its priorities.

Consumers are willing to spend out to get the right product, so cutting corners and selling at a premium isn't a trick that many firms can hope to get away with.

HEXUS.certification

To receive certification, a product needs to do what it says on the box. Since the X Craft 360 doesn't include an eSATA bracket, it can only be used out of the box in USB mode, so does not pass that simple test and does not, in our view, merit certification.

HEXUS Where2Buy

YOYOtech - £38.19 inc VAT (plus £6.99 delivery to UK mainland)

Price correct as of August 12th, 2007

HEXUS Right2Reply

At HEXUS.net, we invite the companies whose products we test to comment on our articles. If any of Cooler Master's representatives choose to respond, we'll publish their commentary here verbatim.

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HEXUS.net - reviews :: Thecus N1200 NAS Media Server

Cooler Master X Craft 360 - home page

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Considering the number of modern motherboards that are including rear panel SATA, isn't it a tiny bit harsh that you trashed them so much for it?

To people with a recent mobo, it does do what it says on the box… As long as nobody is tricked into buying it thinking they will get an eSATA bracket, then I think thats ok.

I was pretty shocked when reading the conclusions with regards to the eSATA connection. eSATA is provided as an connectable option, not a requirement.

When purchasing a product like this I check what connection options are available, i.e. USB, Firewire, eSATA, making my decision based upon my requirements. If I want a USB device then I ensure I have an available USB host, and likewise for the other connections.

Based upon your conclusions, what if the user did not have SATA on their motherboard? Supplying an eSATA backpane would not appropriate since what is required is a controller. The product does, in my view, do what it is designed to do; offer a hard drive enclosure with both USB and eSATA connection options.

There are many reasons why I conlcuded the way I did on this review. You have to remember part of what my thought process is with these is how the product competes in the market place. if you take the Antec MX-1 review I recently did (which passed without any comments) it provided a complete solution with better performance in exactly the same external environment.

Not only that but in the price comparison it was much keener in its price point. if you look at the packages overall the X Craft 360 does suffer with fascination in pretty packaging and not on the product itself.

Whilst if you are looking for a USB enclosure then it would suffice although there are others on the market which provide a much better value for money solution.

The arguement about eSATA on motherboards and indeed chassis is fine and yes I agree with you, modern motherboards do have this but say for example the PC World and Dell purchasers of this world don't.

Thats the key with this product, its aimed at the non-technical and its saying it can do eSATA, it really should, as a product, come with the tools required to use it. It's a bit too much like putting diesel in a supercar…

Matt.

MD
Thats the key with this product, its aimed at the non-technical and its saying it can do eSATA, it really should, as a product, come with the tools required to use it.

Matt.

Would your typical non-technical user know or understand what eSATA is? Would that same user know that it is related to SATA? Would they know how or where to connect a backpane and its cable? I suspect not and even if they did it might invalidate their PC World warantee.

Further, the non-technical user would surely opt for an all-in-one solution which contains a hard drive? Without doing so, a degree of technical ability would be required to source, install and prepare a compatible hard drive.

To receive certification, a product needs to do what it says on the box. Since the X Craft 360 doesn't include an eSATA bracket, it can only be used out of the box in USB mode, so does not pass that simple test and does not, in our view, merit certification.

The product can still do eSATA, as it says on the box. If eSATA isn't available it can do USB, again, as it says on the box. It does not have a requirement to operate on both connections concurrently, each connection is an option and only one is required for successful operation.

The argument about pricing and noise is a valid but does not effect what the product can do. Your argument about certification is, in my view, invalid.

hi pauldarkside,

firstly, thanks for your constructive input.

truth to tell, the debate about this matter is still ongoing within HEXUS, and it may even be that we update our article to reflect additional input, received not only from members of the editorial team who have just joined the debate, but also your own thoughts.

be assured that HEXUS is never too big or too proud to say (or even pronounce loudly…) if we get things wrong, or if we could've done stuff better.

cheers,

PD