For being a "house brand", Rosewill makes some good quality products. The RX81US hard drive enclosure is no exception. It's a nice, solid case that makes installing your SATA hard drive a snap. I like the rubberized, textured coating and the simple to use functionality. Rosewill has done a good job with packaging this product and the bundled accessories mean you won't have to buy additional cables to use it for either USB or eSATA connections. Including the PCI bracket and internal and external cables is a great idea since most computer cases do not have eSATA connections built in yet. And if you happen to have an older computer without SATA you can still use this as a USB drive, then take advantage of the extra speed eSATA offers if you upgrade later on. For most users however, having dual connection types will probably mean you can connect the RX81US to your primary computer using the eSATA setup and use the USB connection when you take your drive on the road. This gives the advantage of both fastest speed and widest compatibility.

The included USB cable does come up a bit short at only around three feet. And a stand would be nice to save a little space on your desk. But otherwise Rosewill has put together a nice package here. Of course, you supply the hard drive, which allows you to go as economical or as large capacity as you need. With an MSRP of $45 and a "street" price in the $25-$35 range it won't break the bank either.

OCIA.net has awarded the Rosewill RX81US HDD Enclosure our Seal of Approval.