Today we would like to present to your attention the external Boxing Zalman ZM-SHE350 with a digital password feature to access the hard disk. This compact solution allows you to protect your data and simplify you work with personal data. Great price, pleasant design, compact size, all this allows you to pay the attention of buyers. Let's get acquainted with the device a little closer and proceed to the review.

Zalman ZM-SHE350

How often do you use portable media, USB flash drives? Personally, our experience shows that the portable hard drive is simply necessary in operation, for all the necessary and important information is always with you, because it is very convenient and practical. But not rarely there are cases when other people are trying to steal this data by copying to their personal computer or laptop.

We recently stumbled upon a very interesting Zalman ZM-SHE350 device. This is an external case, externally resembling an access door, but in fact its function is completely different - protect your data on HDD. How does this happen? Everything is very simple, but before considering the functions and operation of the device, let's get acquainted with the delivery kit and external design.

Zalman ZM-SHE350 Overview

Contents of delivery

The device comes in a small premium transparent package, which can be deducted all the necessary information and familiarize yourself with the characteristics of Zalman ZM-SHE350. The package includes:

• Zalman ZM-SHE350 housing itself
• USB 3.0 cable for power supply and data transmission
• Purchase book
• Rubber insert to increase the thickness of the hard disk
• Compact case

In the configuration of the device there is everything you need for full-fledged work. Small additional bonuses, like a case and a special rubber insert to increase the width of the HDD, if necessary, I cannot but please your buyers.

Characteristics

• Exterior Boxing - Zalman ZM-SHE350
• 2.5-inch SATA disks are supported. Maximum thickness (depth) HDD 9.5 mm.
• Connected HDD Interfaces - SATA III, SATA-I / SATA-II
• PC Connection Interface - USB 3.0 / USB 2.0
• Case material - plastic
• OS support - Linux, Mac OS, Microsoft Windows 2000, Microsoft Windows 7, Microsoft Windows 8, Microsoft Windows Vista, Microsoft Windows XP
• Dimensions (d / w / c) - 135/75/16 mm

Appearance

As we have already spoken, externally reminds the doorway entrance intercom. The device is fully made of black plastic. The quality of the assembly is not bad, no embroidering. But I didn't quite like the fact that with a small drop from the height of the cover of the device immediately diverge to the sides. It is still possible to developers, it will be necessary to think about the reliability of the entire building, because it is not necessary to open it and just pick up the hard disk.

On the front of the device, the main control buttons are located: numbers from 0 to 9, the "LOCK" button and the "Enter" button. Here, slightly tag from the buttons, there are light indicators, and opposite them of their designation.

Micro USB connector is located on the top face. On other faces, there are no controls.

The back cover opens. Under it is a connector under a 2.5-inch SATA disk. The thickness of which should not exceed 9.5 mm. If the disk is thinner, you can use a special rubber insert that allows you to get the necessary thickness.

From the minuses it should be noted that the rear cover is not protected from the opening. That is, anyone can open it. In other words, if you can protect information from transfer to other PCs or laptops, you cannot protect your hard, which is inside the Zalman ZM-SHE350. You can not.

Setup and work

First, let's figure it out with the configuration of the device, in other words, how to install a hard drive in the Zalman ZM-SHE350 and make it work. To begin with, you need to purchase a hard disk, since it is not in the set, we will remind you that 2.5-inch SATA discs are supported. Then everything is very simple, open the back cover, install, close and connect to the PC.

By connecting the device for the first time, you will need to go through a few simple steps. The whole charm is that the above panel with numbers is a small information panel, where certain actions are spelled out, you just have to do that, next to which the light contact lights up.

The first step is to come up with a password. Next, you need to confirm it, after which, using this password, you can open access to this hard disk. Do not forget to conduct the initialization process, markup and format your HDD hard disk for normal use and write through your operating system. How to do this process, you can find out using the user-based book, everything is described in detail there. If you speak brief, you need to do the following steps:

• Connect Zalman ZM-SHE350 with inserted HDD to your PC
• Next Open "Control Panel / Administration / Computer Management / Disk Management
• In the window that opens, you will see that your PC cannot recognize the HDD, as it is initialized only through a fusion program.
• Next, you just need to right-click on this external disk and select the "initialize disk" item, and then go through a small procedure.
• After completing the initialization, you can start the markup process and formatting.

Consider additional commands that are available on the Zalman ZM-SHE350. If you do not count the password input, the Zalman ZM-SHE350 has 3 additional features with the buttons panel instrument:

• If you click on the LOCK - 0 - ENTER queue, then you can change the current password to the new one.
• Combination of the LOCK - 9 keys - ENTER starts the HDD hard disk initialization process
• If you press and hold the LOCK button for more than 2 seconds, the HDD hard disk / disconnection will be connected, in other words - secure extraction of the device.

Dananh transmission rate

It was pleased that the Zalman ZM-SHE350 uses the USB 3.0 connection, which allows you to get a very fast data transfer rate. During the review of the review, the transfer rate and recording on the hard disk ranged from 40 from 100 Mbps.

Plus, it should be added that the Zalman ZM-SHE350 can be connected to any device that has a USB host and play their media files through it. What happens if you somehow stole Zalman ZM-SHE350 with important information? If the attacker does not know the password, then it will not be able to get your information. Yes, you can pull the hard disk and connect it directly, but there is a small nuance, it will not give anything, your PC will simply see the hard disk, respectively and will not be able to show the information that is inside. The PC will determine that the device connected to it and installs the necessary drivers to it, but it will not be possible to use this disk. Agree, very convenient and practical.

Where does this security come from? The answer is simple, Zalman ZM-SHE350 uses AES 256 encryption, which allows you to fully secure your hard disk data. But there is another side of this chip, if for some incomprehensible reason forgot the password, which was installed on the device, then restore the password without losing all data on the hard disk it will not work. Yes, you can contact the company's service center, however, even if you can help, then you still have the data that you recorded on HDD will erase.

RESULTS

By summing up, it should be said that the Zalman ZM-SHE350 is not just a boxing through which you can connect your HDD to PC or other devices and watch your saved files, and a real, reliable information protector stored on the hard disk. Not knowing the password, in the hands of the Zalman ZM-SHE350 intruders will be the usual storage box for HDD, since another way to get information from it will not succeed. Of course, in your pocket you do not imagine it, but in the backpack or bag Zalman ZM-SHE350 does not take much space. Everything comes down to the fact that this decision cannot but attract the attention of buyers, of course, such a security is necessary not to all users, so some Zalman ZM-SHE350 will seem to the meaningless "toy". The choice is always yours, we can only show and tell.

I quickly became one of the most necessary and useful devices. Owners of such boxes will understand me, gets used to good.

Shortly after the purchase, the loading flash drives almost went into the past, to the earlier BootCD earlier and already forgotten floppy disks. It seemed that the question of the best device for the installations of the OS and other actions associated with the load from the external drive, no longer arise for a long time. But not passed and years as appeared ZM-VE300. from the same manufacturer. Although it did not come across to this computers with USB 3.0 ports ( i know that no first year is released), I could not help but use the case to evaluate the VE300.

First glance

External appearance and equipment almost the same as the predecessor. The aluminum case itself is identical, only here on the top, connected to the part of the part, instead of the write protection switch - the Backup button, and instead of the MINI USB_B and ESATA nockets - one USB 3.0 Micro_B.

Included with ZM-VE300 USB 3.0 Cable A - USB 3.0 Micro_B, a disk with software, a brief instruction in English and "micro-microboles".

The screen is also both on the ZM-VE200, but instead of constant disk temperature display shows the connection mode.

Temperature You can see by selecting the SMART options in the View menu (there is only the temperature yes the storage status, "good" in my case). In general, the menu is more extensive than previously.

Speed

The first thing, of course, was interested in recording / reading speeds, for comparison, with the previous model.

Such a system was collected for tests:

The disc was on the third is filled with different files, the tests were performed by the Atto Disk Benchmark utility.

ZM-VE300 connected through USB 2.0 Port and through USB 3.0..

ZM-VE200 connected through USB 2.0 Port and through Esata..

A somewhat unexpected was the difference in the rate of data exchange with VE300 and VE200 connected to the same USB 2.0 port, with the same hard disk.

The difference between USB 3.0 and ESATA - it seems to be insignificant, but here you do not need to forget about some things:

* eSATA on VE200 - no power, so it is required that the USB cable is connected. The most annoying, via ESATA cannot be downloaded a computer from a virtual image, it is only for copying files.

* USB 3.0 when loading requires the driver, present far from each LiveCD image. Even if the image itself is loaded, it will not be access to the disk itself in Zalmane. Therefore, these drivers are or integrated into the image in advance, or load along the way.

If you have drivers, download / installation / work via USB 3.0 is very fast. Feeling as if you work with an internal disk of a computer and not with external via USB. Even large, WIM images are loaded for some seconds. Installing Windows 8 occurs in a few minutes ( did not kill but it seems no more than ten). Working with Knoppix DVD is solid pleasure.

Virtual disks and software

Product utility and can be downloaded from the official site Zalman / so came due to non-disk drive. From there you can also download a manual in format.pdf and fresh firmware that are stitched, unlike appling the ISO file, directly from Windows execution of the EXE file.

The main window backuputility is triggered from Treya or when you press the button on the housing.

To work with the Backup Utility program, you need to install it in Windows to which VE300 will be connected. The Backup button on the device causes this program. And then the program must be launched, with administrator rights. If in the backup settings, specify the contents of which folder of the host OS to go to Zalman to backup, and set the Automatic Backup to the ON position, then copying should happen without the appearance of the window.

Actually, a slightly disappointed with the need to pre-install the utility on the host OS. I wanted to save the client's bank-client imperceptibly :).

The most deserving attention, in my opinion, the button - Virtual HDD. In the window, you can create diskettes (* .ima), flash drives (* .rmd) and partitions or fully hard drives (* .dsk). These virtual disks can then be mapped by ZalMan by selecting their "_iso".

You can work with confined virtual disks as well as usual, that is, to record files on them, split into partitions, format them into any file systems, make them bootable ... experimented through any Paragon Partition Manager.

With buttery images, you can download the computer by selecting the corresponding device in the BIOS Setup or Boot Menu. Those. USB FDD for * .ima, USB-ZIP for * .rmd or USB-HDD for * .dsk. Although the collisions may occur here.

Interestingly, as soon as any disk image is not CD / DVD / Bluray, the Zalman physical disk itself becomes readable.

In the screenshot:

* Disc 1 (I) - "Virtual Section HDD", File.dsk

* Disc 2 (h) - "Virtual Flashka", file.rmd

* Disc 3 (Q) - "Main Disk" Zalman

* CD-ROM 0 (F) - "Virtual BD-ROM", File.iso

TOTAL

Having worked out with ZM-VE300 for several days, hurried to return it to the owner. Enough for me. Too addictive thing, while VE200 was not happy. And USB 3.0 today will infrequently meet. In short, I do not need. The desire now is already there :) But the win. I consider the high price justifiable, let Zalman be welded while competitors are clicked with beaks, his right.

The external hard disk today has become one of the essential items for everyone, whose activity is somehow related to the maintenance of PC. The choice of discs and containers is great - on any color, taste and wallet. However, there are solutions that are noticeably allocated in the general range, one of them can be called an external container Zalman ZM-VE300 which, except for the external disk function, can perform the role of an optical disk drive emulator.

This makes it possible to kill two hares, as the external ODD drive and the disk stack to it is the same subject matter for sysadmins, service engineers and simply computer enthusiasts. Installation discs with OS, various service and diagnostic Live-CDs - as a result, we will get a rather impressive list of disks that you need to always have with you, and important discs are not in one instance. Otherwise, it will be very unpleasant when, in the most responsible moment, the "brought" disk will refuse to read.

But first things first. At first glance, the cost Zalman ZM-VE300 It may seem highly overpriced, give about 2000 rubles for an external container without HDD, albeit from the famous manufacturer, it is somehow too, for this money you can safely take a good outer disk. But this is only at first glance, as we will see on, the device fully justifies its price.

The container in the medium-sized cardboard box is supplied, on which the manufacturer emphasized the main advantages of the device.

It's obvious that Zalman ZM-VE300 In a virtual drive mode, any existing optical drive existing today is significantly ahead. Even in USB 2.0 mode, which is the main one, when using this container as a boot disk, only Windows 8 can be downloaded via USB 3.0, and it is not always successful, since USB 3.0 controllers of different manufacturers have their own characteristics.

To evaluate the work of a virtual drive as a bootable, we compared the launch time of LiveCD Ubuntu 13.0, writing it to a new DVD + R disk.

Optical drives showed quite expected results: the slowest - external drive, internal slightly faster. Zalman ZM-VE300 Once again, I showed a significant separation - loading the image in less than a minute. This is a really great result, which will appreciate those who have to often load a PC with optical disks.

conclusions

We are truly an excellent product that fully justifies its price. The main advantage is a virtual optical drive, which will allow you to refuse to use optical disks and external drives. In addition, the virtual drive allows you to work with disk images much faster than any optical drive. All does it Zalman ZM-VE300 An indispensable assistant administrators, service engineers and simply computer enthusiasts.

Nowadays, it is difficult to surprise someone to surprise both external hard drives and enclosures for them. But among the competitors, the external case for Hard disks Zalman ZM-VE300 is particularly highlighted. In addition to the traditional 2.5 "Boxing with a shrinkable USB 3.0 interface, Zalman ZM-VE300 has a unique function - it can mount the disk images recorded in it. That is, in addition to the normal external HDD mode, it can work as a DVD-ROM and floppy disk drive . Such devices appeared on the market for no one year ago, but I could only evaluate their convenience only when I saw them in action with my own eyes. Now I am another happy owner of Zalman ZM-VE300.

The kit is the aluminum ZM-VE300 case, a thick carrying case, a USB 3.0 cable, installation CD with programs, a brief manual of the user and a small screwdriver with bolt for fixing the hard disk.

Zalman ZM-VE300 has a spectacular design: a lightweight aluminum case with plastic inserts on the sides, a small LCD screen, which displays the status of the disk. On the top of the face there is an activity indicator, a socket for connecting a USB cable and the button "Backup". In addition, on the left side of the boxing there is a three-position joystick-wheel, with which almost all actions are performed. Two-color activity indicator. White color is used to indicate the operation in USB 2.0 mode, blue - in USB 3.0 mode.

In order to install a hard disk in the Zalman ZM-VE300, you need to pull the top board with the display and connect the disk itself to it. Then insert the resulting design to the aluminum case.

Of the three tried 2.5 "Zalman ZM-VE300 disks refused to work with one, the other two took normally. Some regularity in his preferences I did not find, and how it became clear from the reviews in different Internet, this problem did not have one. So, probably, it is better to have several different discs ready.

When the disk is installed and the performance is checked, it is necessary to fix it. Begun the seal from the sides of the case, the holes for the bolts are hidden under them. As I said, bolts and a small screwdriver are included, so there should be no problems with fastener. But back the seal does not want to get up, as it is made of solid plastic and after the flexion begins to hang out. A trifle, of course, but the impression spoils. The seal from ordinary rubber here would look more harmonious.

In the first models of Zalman ZM-VE300, the firmware allowed only with disks formatted in FAT32, to support the NTFS file system, it was necessary to put an alternative firmware from the similar device - IODD-2531. In the new parties, the firmware is already more recently, NTFS disks are perfectly supported with it without additional televitations. You can download the latest firmware version and the program you need to update on the offset.

Zm.ve300.firmware.upgrade.r1288n.zip (343,728 bytes)

In order to install the firmware from iodd-2531 on Zalman-VE300, it will be necessary to modify the firmware program slightly. I adjusted the latest firmware version. After installing it, the device is determined in the system as iodd, but it will not work from this worse. On the contrary, all new chips from iodd-2531 will be added to the functionality, which in the official firmware Zalman-VE300 is not foreseen.

iodd.2531.to.zm.ve300.firmware.upgrade.r1600n.zip (345,755 bytes)

The entrance to the menu and the output from it occurs when the side switch is pressed for more than 3 seconds. Move the menu and selection of items is performed by a joystick, return to the previous level - "Backup" button.

• Main menu:
  • Mode Select. - Installing the device mode
  • Setting. - Setting the brightness of the LCD and Sleeping Mode
  • Information - Viewing information about HDD and firmware version
  • USB Connect. - Setting up USB connections
  • Advanced - Configure Virtual HDD Connection
• Menu "Mode Select":
  • Dual Mode. - Work in combined mode, external HDD and virtual drive DVD-ROM / Blu-Ray
  • ODD Mode. or CD Mode. (For iodd firmware) - work only in DVD-ROM / Blu-Ray mode (this mode is usually used when installing OS)
  • HDD Mode. - The device is defined only as an external HDD (this mode is used when connected to other devices, in addition to PCs)
• Menu "SETTING":
  • LCD Bright - Adjustment of the brightness of the LCD backlight
  • Idle Bright - Adjusting the highlighting of the LCD screen in sleep mode
  • Standby Time. - Setting the transition time to sleep mode
  • Load Default. - return to default values
• "INFORMATION" menu:
  • S.M.A.R.T. - Information S.M.A.R.T.
  • HDD Model - Display the name of the hard disk model
  • HDD Serial - Display the serial number of the hard disk
  • Firmware ver. - Display the firmware version
  • USB Speed. - Display the Type of Current Connection (USB2.0: Hi-Speed, USB3.0: Super-Speed)
  • USB Input Volt. - Display the lowest input voltage over the USB port after connecting to the PC and the current input voltage
• Menu "S.m.a.r.t":
  • HDD Temp. - Display HDD temperature
  • HDD Health - Display the HDD state (Good, Warning, Bad). If you appear Warning or Bad, then immediately back up all data and check the HDD
• Menu "USB CONNECT":
  • Refresh. - reconnect device to PC
  • Safe Removal - Safe device extraction
• Menu "Advanced":
  • Umount vhdd. - unmount all images of discs and floppy disks
  • Write Protect. - Enable or disable recording protection
  • Instant Save. - remember image immediately after its choice (only in iodd firmware)
  • Force USB 3.0 - USB 3.0 priority operation (only in iodd firmware)

To use a virtual ODD, the image file must be in the "_ISO" folder, which, in turn, should be in the root of the hard disk. After that, you need to translate Zalman ZM-VE300 to "ODD MODE" or "Dual Mode" and using a three-position joystick to select the desired image file. Depending on the type of image, it will immediately be mounted on a computer as a virtual DVD-ROM / Blu-Ray drive or as a virtual floppy drive.

In the documentation, it is not specified by anywhere, but the experimental way is established that in the "_iso" folder at the same time there should be no more than 32 images, otherwise the Zalman ZM-VE300 will give the message "Too Many Files". This can be easily bypass by creating nested folders, although it remains to limit on 32 files in each of them. There are alternative firmware, where there is no such restriction, but personally, my whole needed set of distributions was put in a dozen files. By the way, as a cheaper alternative to Zalman ZM-VE300, unscrupulous vendors can offer you a housing for hard drives brand Konoos.. Such a replacement is not equal, since the younger models of Konoos enclosures support only one image, and more trusted - only three. Naturally, on the websites of online stores it is modestly silent.

Included with Zalman ZM-VE300 there is a backup utility for backup. It is recorded on the CD, but the fresh version is always available on the offset. As you can guess, it is based on backup copies of the selected files and folders from the computer to the external hard drive in the Zalman ZM-VE300. In the program, set the necessary paths, then on the box, press the "Backup" button and the utility copies the information on the box.

But this is not all she knows how. With Backup Utility, you can create virtual disks, and then save them to the "_iso" folder on an external hard drive. With virtual disks it is worth understanding better. "Virtual HDD" is empty files of the specified size with the possibility of connecting them as external drives. Naturally, Zalman ZM-VE300 is responsible for connecting and functioning the emulation.

With the function "Safe Removal", too, everything should be clear. You can safely disable Zalman ZM-VE300 by pressing the wheel or the "Backup" button on the device itself, and you can do it on the computer's initiative through this Backup Utility function.

And so in the system displays physical hard drives and virtual drives connected or created using Zalman ZM-VE300.

Returning to the topic about installing Windows XP on HP Mini 210-1130er netbook. The inconvenience of the installation of the system from the flash drive and steel for me the last argument to buy Zalman ZM-VE300. After his acquisition, I conducted an experiment: I recorded the prepared image on an external hard drive, put a clean hard drive in a netbook, then mounted an image on a virtual CD and tried to install the system. As I expected, everything went successfully.

The instruction that comes in the kit is very scarce. All that can be found from it, it is where to mount the bolts and how to install softyn for a backup. On the Internet there are instructions in electronic form, even translated into Russian, but in essence they do not differ from the paper option. According to rumors, full documentation is available in Korean, but it is hardly to help. So you have to be content with what is.

Zalman.zm.ve300.manual.rus.zip (546,663 bytes)

Zalman.zm.ve300.manual.eng.zip (492,463 bytes)

Since the instructions are short enough, and they are not described all the possibilities of Zalman ZM-VE300. When preparing this review, I have selected from different sources and systematized useful tips and undocumented functions. All other possible problems are described in detail at the IXBT conference.

• If you hold the "Backup" button when the device is connected, the recording is turned on.
• If you connect the joystick to hold down when connected, the recording from recording is removed, and the device switches to "DUAL MODE" mode.
• If when connected to hold the joystick wheel up, the "ODD MODE" mode is installed.
• If when connected to hold the joystick wheel down, the "HDD MODE" mode is installed.
• If you turn down and hold the joystick wheel while working, the device will be safely disabled. The same will happen if you press and hold the "Backup" button.
• If you turn up and hold the joystick wheel while working, the "_ISO" folder will be reteigned and the list of images available in it is updated. It is very convenient if new images were recorded in the "Dual Mode" or "HDD Mode" mode.
• In order for Zalman VE-300 to remember the last mounted image, it must be safely disabled. Set the desired image, press and hold the "Backup" or wheel button, wait for the "Data Saving ..." message and disable the disk from the computer. After that, Zalman VE-300 will start with the selected manner.
• To unmount the image of a floppy disk or a drive with "Virtual HDD", you need to go to the "End of List" item and hold down the wheel for 3 seconds.
• When connected to a stationary computer, it is better to use USB ports that are behind the system unit, and not on the front panel.
• If the hard disk installed in the housing is divided into several sections, the section with the "_iso" folder must be Primary.
• It is not recommended to install SSD discs in Zalman ZM-VE300, as they are more sensitive to insufficient nutrition, which is supplied via USB, and may fail.

In some cases, when trying to mount the image, the Zalman ZM-VE300 gives the message "Defrag" and refuses to mount the file. This message means that the image file is greatly fragmented.

To defragment files and catalogs it is the most convenient to use the free WinContig program. Its main feature is a quick defragment of individual files without the need to defragment the entire disk. Just run WinContig, select one or more image files and defragmentation, after that the Zalman ZM-VE300 is calm everything mounted.

What can I say as a summary of the results? Zalman ZM-VE300 is a very cool thing that justifies its cost to a penny. Now once and forever, a problem with the preparation of installation flash drives, a pack of CD / DVD disks with different distributions, all remains in the past. The Zalman ZM-VE300 will be an excellent helper with system administrators and advanced users who have often to rearrange the system or use various boot discs.

Despite all the advantages, it was not without flaws. Neither in the instructions nor offsy there is no list of recommended models of hard drives that work with Zalman ZM-VE300. In the extreme case, it would be possible to specify the recommended characteristics, such as amperage and the speed of rotation so that you can independently choose the desired model, but there is no this information anywhere. The USB cable from the kit is short and very hard, because of this, with frequent use there is a threat of damage to the housing connector. It would not hurt to envisage and additional power so that the Zalman ZM-VE300 can be connected to old computers. Of course, no one bothers to find and purchase the right cable, but it is strange that the manufacturer made such a wonderful device and saved on a penny cable. Judging by the reviews, some hard drives have to additionally put the seal in the case so that the disk does not hang inside. In my case, this was not needed, but generally agree that the fastening system could be thought out better. Otherwise, I am very pleased with the acquisition.

Upd.. After a rapid death of the Zalman ZM-VE300 (connected to a problem system, and there is a breakdown of electricity to a USB port), acquired the original IODD-2531. So, there are no problems described with seals. They are sufficient length and have at the end of the "horns" that are refined under the side plugs and hold perfectly. In Zalman, these "horns" are also there, but the sealant itself is shorter, as a result they turn out to be useless. The cable is also long and flexible. That's just the case at iodd uncomfortable - soft. Replaced it to the liberated Case from Zalman. So it makes sense to acquire original iodd devices, and not copied replicas.

October 12, 2015, Odnocrylov Vladimir 8

Another review is devoted to the external corpus for Zalman ZM-VE350 hard drives. Boxing is designed for 2.5-inch SATA drives and supports USB 3.0 high-speed interface. The device is equipped with a virtual optical drive function, allowing ISO images "on the fly. Record protection feature allows you to prevent damage to important files.

Zalman ZM-VE350 video review

Complete set and characteristics of Zalman ZM-VE350

Arriving for Testing External Boxing for Hard Drives Zalman ZM-VE350 Comes in a black box of dense cardboard.

Zalman ZM-VE350 packaging

Package Included:

• Box itself.
• Case.
• USB 3.0 cable.
• A set of screwdriver and four screws.
• Quick Guide.

Grade Zalman ZM-VE350

Complete cable has a length of 50 cm, including connectors.

USB 3.0 cable

The cover is very dense, to remove the device from it easily. You can, of course, use boxing and directly in the case, however, we do not recommend this, otherwise the inserted drive can overheat.

Zalman ZM-VE350 in Cove

Technical characteristics of the device we reduced into a single table.

HDD interface	SATA, form factor 2.5 "
Devices interface	USB 3.0 (back compatible with USB 2.0)
Device interface transfer rate	USB 2.0: up to 480 Mbps; USB 3.0: up to 5 Gbps
Work with ISO images	Virtual optical drive
Indicator	Lights when power is turned on, flashes when exchanging data
Food	USB power
Dimensions	131x79x13 mm (d x sh x c)
Weight	96 g (without a drive)

Design Zalman ZM-VE350

Housing Zalman ZM-VE350 For the most part, made of painted aluminum with soft polymer inserts on the sides. On the front side, the LCD display and the LED indicator of activity are placed.

External Boxing for Zalman ZM-VE350 Hard Disk

The upper end is the Backup button and the USB 3.0 connector (type Micro-B, also transmitting power to HDD) to connect a complete cable.

Upper Zalman ZM-VE350

On the opposite end, technical information about the model is passed.

Nizhny end on Zalman ZM-VE350

On the left side there is a pressure lever for navigating the device menu, and the rest of the space occupies a soft insert.

Zalman ZM-VE350 left side

On the right side, except for the second such insert, there is nothing important.

Right sidewall Zalman ZM-VE350

The quality of the assembly is worthy - the buttons and elements of the housing are not dangling. In general, the design impress the monolithic.

Testing Zalman ZM-VE350

To install the drive in the box, you will have to first remove the module with the LCD screen, which contains in itself, in fact, the entire filling of the device.

Base block Zalman ZM-VE350

For testing, we took a solid-state drive and connected it to the Internal SATA port.

SSD connected to Zalman ZM-VE350 board

For reliability, it is worth pressing the module with complete screws - the holes are hidden under the bent edges of the soft inserts.

Screw holes on Zalman ZM-VE350

To do this, we used the complete scolding - good, efforts are required small, so miniature dysfunction of unscrewing is not a hindrance. It is worth noting that the screws bundle twice as much as they need four against the required two.

The base unit Zalman ZM-VE350 is clamped with screws

After connecting to the PC, the display of our device caught fire blue and issued a simple menu.

Display Zalman ZM-VE350

At the same time, the operating system recognized two devices at once: the USB drive itself and an additional optical drive is completely virtual, which is indicated in its name.

Zalman ZM-VE350 in Task Manager

This is exactly the main "chip" of this case - you can mount any ISO images by placing them in the folder "_Iso" On the case inserted into the case. For example, the Windows 7 image downloaded from MSDN read without problems.

Image of Windows 7 in the virtual drive Zalman ZM-VE350

However, our instance was initially with the erroneous firmware, and for the correct operation of the virtual drive function, we had to update the device software to a more relevant version. The archive with the firmware and the update instructions we apply below. Remember: This operation is carried out on your fear and risk, and if you are definitely not sure what you are doing, better contact technical support or service center.

• (122,7 KB).
• (579.78 KB).

However, the actuation function can be completely disabled - for this it is enough just to select the appropriate mode, which are provided for as many as three:

• HDD MODE - drive mode without drive.
• VCD MODE - Virtual Drive Mode.
• Dual Mode - simultaneous work.

Zalman ZM-VE350 modes

Another wonderful function Zalman ZM-VE350 - Ability to set protection from recording. This allows you to work even in potentially or actually infected with viruses the system without danger to pick up infesses. You need to select the "Enable WP" menu. The icon of the lock closes on the starting screen - and that's all, no problems.

Installation of protection from recording in Zalman ZM-VE350

Additionally, in the "Information" section, you can see the temperature of the media (I will immediately say that for SSD it is defined incorrectly, you should not be afraid), S. em.r.t state, serial number and version of the controller firmware.

Information about the drive in Zalman ZM-VE350

Now check the performance when using the USB interface. 3.0. IN HD Tune 5. Speed \u200b\u200bgraph has an average read speed indicator of 161.9 MB / s at a time of accidental access of 0.169 ms. The load on the CPU amounted to 9.8%.