Vantec NexStar LX NAS Hard Drive Enclosure

     Currently it seems that just about everyone has some device you can plug into your USB port on your computer.  With all these gadgets plugged in, it can turn your desktop into a wire and device jungle.  Myself, I'm more a minimalist and like to hide as much as I can and yet still have all the benefits modern technology has to offer.  Adding a NAS (Network Attached Storage) device that I can hide wherever I want and still get all the storage space I could want was something I was very interested in.  Vantec serves up the goods with the NexStar LX NAS hard drive enclosure, lets see if they make a NAS part of your future!

Specifications

The skinny

So let's dive into what this unit has to offer. 

Packaging is nice with lots of useful information about the features of the unit.  The unit I'm reviewing is white, they also sell the same model in black.

     The back shows you more about the enclosure, features, specs and everything included inside.  For those new to NAS devices the box gives a nice overview on what to expect and how things can be setup.

Opening up the package shows that the unit is packed nicely so it will come to you free from damage.

     Taking everything out of the box, we have the enclosure itself, the top, power supply, USB cable, screws for fastening the drive unit, Ethernet patch cable and of course the instructions.  As easy as the web setup is, printed instructions are optional in my book.

     Looking closer at the enclosure we see the heat sink (the silver thing on the bottom, IDE ribbon cable for the drive, Molex power connector, temperature sensor wire and the temperature controlled fan.

     Around the front is pretty basic with all the indicators you might need and nothing you don't.  From left to right, the hard drive activity light, power on indicator and the network link and activity indicator.

     In the back are all the connectors that make this thing hum.  From left to right, power switch, power connector, fan speed setting switches, Ethernet connector, reset button and the USB connector.  With the fan you can choose to set it manually or let it decide how fast to run.  If you are a paranoid type with things like this you can move the left switch to the "M" position for manual control and leave the right switch in the "H" position for high fan speed.  I decided to let it decide for me.

     A closer inspection of the bottom show the fins that accompany the heat sink we spotted from the inside view.  You can also see the four mounting screws that hold the drive in place.  Finishing this up are the two non-skid rubber feet that also minimize the vibration noise that may come from this.  In using it, I didn't notice anything out of the ordinary regarding drive noise.

Looking at the top, it's very clean with way cool lines.  Looks nice in sight as well as hidden away.