by FirmTek’s miniSwap/U3 is an $100 USB 3, all-aluminum trayless enclosure for any 2.5-inch drive solid-state drive or hard drive. You can add an external drive to your Mac without the need to turn a single screw. (FirmTek also sells the miniSwap/U3 with a 240GB SSD for $330, which we tested for this review.)
Installing a drive into the miniSwap/U3 enclosure is super simple. Pushing the small black lever on the front of the drive releases the miniSwap/U3’s spring-loaded front panel. Insert the drive (it goes about an inch into the enclosure) and shut the front panel, which pushes the drive into place as it closes. That’s it. Attach the included USB 3.0 cable and connect to your Mac, and you’re done, son.
External power was not required for the drives I installed inside the enclosure, but FirmTek sells an optional power adapter should you find one necessary. The miniSwap can handle a variety of drive heights from 7 mm up 14.9 mm.
While the case won’t win any beauty contests, its vented aluminum shell does complement the current Mac Pro design and its design allows it to operate without requiring a fan whirring inside.
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