Argosy HD-360C Review (Page 1 of 3):

Where do we go if every hard drive bay inside our computer is full?  Well, let’s think about this for a minute.  We could always find a 3.5” adapter to fit into our existing 5.25” drive bays, those are all over the place.  This is the most obvious route to take when we need to add more hard disks to our ever expanding systems.  This is a nice alternative if you only have one CD/CD-RW/DVD/ drive in your computer.  There just isn’t enough room if you are like me and happen to have a dedicated CD-RW drive, a dedicated DVD Burner, and a fan controller occupying my 5.25” drive bays.  Where else can I go if I want to add another hard drive?  I could always do a custom modification to the bottom of the case where all the dust tends to settle.  I have done it before, but looks rather awkward if you have a side cut out with a window where people can glare inside and see that hard disk sticking out like a sore thumb.  Relax ladies and gents, there is a perfectly acceptable solution to solve this very problem.  Think outside the box…literally!  External hard disk drive enclosures have been around for a few years now, so they are really nothing new.  But with the advent of USB 2.0 and IEEE 1394 (Firewire) the old sluggish transfer speeds of old are now a thing of the past.  For those that have been living with an external hard disk and USB 1.1, you are driving a two speed scooter when you could be thundering down the road on a Ducati.  Hard disk drive enclosures come in many shapes, colors, and sizes.  The choices you are granted are many, so the next logical choice becomes features.  Some have USB 2.0 but not IEEE 1394 and vice versa.  Some have an AC Adapter, some don’t.  The question here is, “What do I really need?”.  If all you have is USB 2.0 on your computer then purchase an enclosure with USB 2.0 as the primary transfer means.  Same for 1394, if you have that yet only have USB 1.1, then the choice is obvious.  Personally, I am all about choice.  I would be much happier in knowing that my product has both USB 2.0 and IEEE 1394 so that if I were to take my enclosure to work or a friends house, it will not be a problem when it comes to transfer speed and compatibility.  The product that I will review for you today is all about giving the consumer a choice.  That product is none other than the Argosy HD 360C External 3.5” Hard Disk Drive Enclosure with USB 2.0 and IEEE 1394.  Since that is quite a mouthful, I will simply refer to the product under review as the Argosy.

The Argosy HD-360C External Hard Drive Enclosure

I would like to thank the fine folks at PCMicroStore for sending us this product for a review.  Originally, I was only going to receive the Argosy enclosure from PCMicroStore, but they were kind enough to send along a Seagate IDE 7200 RPM 160GB hard drive to fully test the Argosy with.  How awesome is that? 

PCMicroStore Company Profile:

PC Microstore has been a leading computer and electronics distributor in the United States for many years. Offering over 20,000 products from your favorite brands at low discount prices, PCM is dedicated to delivering high quality products and customer service round-the-clock. You will find what you are looking for whenever you want.

Argosy Company Profile:

Established in August, 1987, Argosy Research Inc. has been a research/developing as well as manufacturing oriented company. Owing to our excellent command of technology, we are able to develop products complying with the trendiest trend. This is why Argosy is able to come to today's scale from its very beginning of only NT$3,000,000 capital and 4 staff members.  Argosy's products are marketed worldwide as our own brand - "ARGOSY", as well as distributed as OEM or ODM products by companies such as IBM, Toshiba, and HP. Adopted by these well-esteemed giant companies, Argosy's ability is once again confirmed.  Argosy's most valuable asset is the developing experience and manufacturing technique cumulative cautiously and conscientiously over the past 15 years. Because of this asset, we have always been able to proceed and achieve with satisfaction in different product fields in the past. With this same precious asset, we expect to design, develop and make more products with best quality and marketability for our customers.