Storage Solutions Looking for NVME enclosure

[jdp861]

Hello Everyone,

I am looking for an Nvme enclosure that I want to use with my Mac, as is made necessary by apple due to ridiculous prices.
However, looking at the sheer number of product listings on amazon, I find it very difficult to choose one.

Can you guys throw some light on which one to choose?
Those who have used one, could you please share your experiences?

I want it to be really reliable, don't heat too much and budget friendly (not like the asus rog one) as apple took a lot from me already

I am also in need of a USB hub. So would like to know about it too.

Thanks

 

[Maverick0193]

Check out pihub nvme enclosures. They are quite good. Bought one recently for myself and its working great. Havent noticed any temperature issues but its winter right now. Even in the reviews, haven't read any temp related issues.

In your mac if you use usb c to usb a cable then speed would be around 450 to 500 MBps read. While for usb c to c cable it would be around 800 to 900 MBps.

I have purchased the M2-374-NEF version from amazon at 999 which comes with a fan that only works when needed. You can check the pricing from both amazon and their website.

 

[abhaysk94]

What's your budget and what kind of speeds do you need from the enclosure?

I have a cheap NVME enclosure from Orico with Gen 4 Nvme from my old desktop which I use mostly for read heavy tasks like Videos,Movies etc. the only issue is it does't support SMART, TRIM etc(at least on Macs). It has disconnected on me a handful of times during extended (45-60min) heavy Read+ write tasks.
I also had a thunderbolt 3 enclosure from sarbent (permanently borrowed by brother) bought from UK. it gets hot but never faced any disconnection issues.
if you are using some expensive NVME drives I suggest getting the sabrent or similar enclosures.
Ugreen has a similar thunderbolt supported enclosure but not sure about its heat management.

what ports do you need from the HUB?

if you need multiple Displays(non duplicate) from Mac only TB hubs will work
you can find cheap TB hubs from HP,lenovo,dell just make sure they are compatible with your Mac before buying.
I use this for as a hub for some devices that need to be plugged in and out after waking up from sleep on Mac for the power button and the occasional connection to PC without removing a ton of cables.

 

[sokal55]

Check out pihub nvme enclosures. They are quite good. Bought one recently for myself and its working great. Havent noticed any temperature issues but its winter right now. Even in the reviews, haven't read any temp related issues.

In your mac if you use usb c to usb a cable then speed would be around 450 to 500 MBps read. While for usb c to c cable it would be around 800 to 900 MBps.

I have purchased the M2-374-NEF version from amazon at 999 which comes with a fan that only works when needed. You can check the pricing from both amazon and their website.

I use the older version, M2-372-DLF, got it last year. works fine with macOS, formatted with exFAT because I need to use it with android too.

 

[jdp861]

Check out pihub nvme enclosures. They are quite good. Bought one recently for myself and its working great. Havent noticed any temperature issues but its winter right now. Even in the reviews, haven't read any temp related issues.

Did you face any disconnection issues with? My only requirement is that it shouldn't disconnect or heats up. Speed is nearly the same for all 10Gbps enclosures.

What's your budget and what kind of speeds do you need from the enclosure?

Thinking of spending up to 2K for it. It doesn't really make much sense to spend more than that.

I have a cheap NVME enclosure from Orico with Gen 4 Nvme from my old desktop which I use mostly for read heavy tasks like Videos,Movies etc. the only issue is it does't support SMART, TRIM etc(at least on Macs). It has disconnected on me a handful of times during extended (45-60min) heavy Read+ write tasks.

I will also be storing a lot of videos on it and then editing them off it.
What's the controller on the Orico one?

what ports do you need from the HUB?

A couple of USB 5gbps, a DP/HDMI (4k60), 1 SD card and if possible then 1 Rj45 too.


I have researched on Nvme enclosure chipsets and there is no definite answer as to which one is best. ASM and Realtek ones have been considered better.
So, I thought I will get one which is being used by forum members who use a Mac.

 

[Maverick0193]

Did you face any disconnection issues with? My only requirement is that it shouldn't disconnect or heats up. Speed is nearly the same for all 10Gbps enclosures.

I have bought it recently after watching its reviews also have not used much. But till now i have not faced any disconnection issues. As far as the heating is concerned that would have to be checked during summers. Now while transfering 200gb content it was only at the level of slight warm, even the fan did not kick in.
You also get a thermal pad with it and the outer body is metallic which makes good heat dissipation while the ssd is running.
You also get a pouch for storing the nvme enclosure for extra protection and a mobile kickstand.
For 999 i think it would be the best deal.

 

[superczar]

I have been using externals with Macs and linux for a very long time now..

all USB3 enclosures on the market will heat to the point of throttling badly
I have tried at least 5 makes and they will all start at 400/500 MB/s and will drop down to under 100MB/s after between 10-30 seconds of writes--- from pibox to ugreen
They are ok as fast/glorified pen drives but that's about it

Opt either for good prebuilts (like Samsung t7 - they will maintain peaks for much longer and will drop to max 200+ on sustained writes)
or a TB enclosure (if its a longer term purchase)- they are almost as good as internal.. Your Mac will also see it as a proper nvme drive over PCIe

 

[msvsme]

I saw cheap 40gbps nvme enclosures in aliexpress for around 4000inr. But sadly can't order them to India. Reviews seem good. I wonder how the maiwo 40gbps ones in banggood perform.