Question 1

Backwards compatible to usb 2.0?

Accepted Answer

I purchased the external hard drive enclosure and a laptop hard drive that fits in it. Works excellent. i use a usb plug i guess it is good for my 2.0 it woks and for a 3.0 to. I use it as a portable hard drive instead of purchasing one that would not be as good as the one  i made using the hard drive enclosure and a laptop hard drive.

Question 2

How do you power it up and will my lap top hard drive fit in it?

Accepted Answer

Yes, your SATA laptop drive will fit into it.  It is powered by the USB port that it is plugged into.  A USB 3.0 port can power any speed laptop hard drive that you put in it.  If you install in it a 7200 rpm drive and access it with a USB 2.0 port, then you should use a twin head USB cable.  A 5400 rpm drive will work fine on one USB 2.0 port.  A 7200 rom drive uses around 1 amp to start up and a USB 2.0 port supplies 1/2 amp by specification.  If you already have a twin head micro USB 2.0 cable like is used on other drives then it will work on the micro USB portion of the USB 3.0 plug.  You can also purchase a USB 3.0 cable that has two USB ends like the Waver Technology Limited WA1113148-15i that Newegg sells.  I bought that one just for that purpose.

Question 3

Will this work for a 7200 RPM HDD?

Accepted Answer

I wouldn't recommend it - 7200RPM drives typically need more amperage than a single USB can provide. 
Thus you'll frequently need to use 2 USB ports with a Y cable or separate 5V AC power adapter.
Try to stick with 5400RPM or SSD's for external enclosures of 2.5" drives.

Question 4

Is this USB powered or powered by a separate wall adapter?

Asking as I need 3, USB 3.0 enclosures that run on adapters, for external HDD's for consoles.   USB powered will not work for what I need.

Accepted Answer

I use mine without an electrical power adapter, and its error free.

Question 5

Other than the exterior graphics, what's the difference between the similar-looking "NST-266S3-BK" and "NST-266SU3-BK" units?

Accepted Answer

Price and the SU3 enclosure appears to be USB 3 to USB 3 whereas the S3 exclosure is USB to USB 3. Could be a connection difference on the computer, but both enclosures will have USB 3 specific (USB 1/2 connector is not the same as USB 3)

Question 6

Will this work with a Seagate SSHD that is gutted from a laptop?

Accepted Answer

Yes. All SSDs (to my knowledge) are SATA design, so this external enclosure should work without problems. Make sure to ground yourself when handling the SSD and the enclosure hardware.

Question 7

Will 2.5 hard drive .5 inch thick fit in this enclosure?

Accepted Answer

The Dimensions are 4.72" x 3.03" x 0.61".  If your drive is actually 1/2" thick then it will not fit.  If it is a standard 2.5" drive it should be no more than 3/8 thick.

Question 8

Other than the exterior graphics, is there any difference between this unit (NST-266S3-BK) and the similar-looking NST-266SU3-BK unit?

Accepted Answer

The NST-266S3-BK has a USB 3.0 data interface only.  A cable is included for USB 3.0 .
The NST-266SU3-BK has a USB 3.0 interface as well as an e-sata interface.  Cables are included for both types of interfaces on this enclosure.

Questions & Answers