Package Content

Now that we have checked the box itself it is time to unrafle the content and see what this RaidSonic package has to offer. We will start first by opening the box and find out what is included within the ICY BOX IB-281U USB2.0 series. The black shiny box opens up at the back, which reveals the content that we can just slide out of it.

So what is now included in the ICY BOX package from RaidSonic? The retail box includes the light alloy metal case, one USB 2.0 cable, an installation CD with drivers, a manual, mounting screws and leader flap. The cables are well protected and wrapped in a plastic bag.

Features

Let's check some of the extensive features of the ICY BOX IB-281U USB 2.0 series external 2.5" HDD case.

• Housing for 2.5" IDE Hard Disk
• Light Alloy, Leather Optic
• Hot Swappable
• Data Transfer up to 480Mbit/s
• Supports USB 2.0 for Transfer Speeds
• USB Base Powered, no Power Supply needed
• Supports Windows 98/ME/2000/XP and Mac (as of OS 9.0)

By supporting the USB 2.0 transfer speeds with transfer rate up to 480Mbit/sec the ICY BOX is also backwards compatible with the USB 1.1 transfer speeds.

When you put all the items together that came out of the box you will really have four items at hand. The User's Manual and Installation CD will be found first and then you will still be stuck with 2 other smaller paperboard packages. RaidSonic has made sure all items are well protected and come decently packed for secure delivery. The User's Manual features in total five languages for those who really want to go through it. As it is a rather straight forward process the manual is nice to have but nothing more.

The remaining two packages are there to protect on one side the cables and on the other side the ICY BOX external hard disk case. You may ask why are there two USB cables needed? Due to the fact that this external unit will not require an external power adaptor it needs to get the required power from the USB connection. As one USB port might not be sufficient, you have the possibility to bundle both cables together and by that way doubling the power toward the ICY BOX.

• External Light Alloy Case
• User's Manual
• Installation/Software CD
• USB 2.0 Extension Cable
• USB 2.0 Extension Y-Type Cable

Putting it all together we get a full pictures of the different pieces delivered within the ICY BOX IB-281U package. Of course the main part will be the external storage case itself which we will be fitting with a 2.5" hard drive. We will be using a Hitachi TravelStar hard disk with a capacity of 80GB.

The ICY BOX enclosure itself is impressive. Like some expensive cigarette case or hip flask, it stylishly combines a silky Titanium-like metal alloy and black leather to great effect. Even seen such an external hard disk enclosure? Well I haven't. It looks good, feels good and comes in leather, what more could you ask for?