The iMac Late 2012 As I had problems with various USB 3.0 HUB (times were at the HUB connected USB3.0 drives no longer reacts, sometimes no longer worked my wireless Logitech Trackball, I was looking for another solution by a further USB 3.0 device To use). Then I had the
Belkin announced Express Dock but very pretty. Only the price put me off a bit.
But now to the device.
I have it now for 5 days in use.
The metal housing makes a solid and sophisticated look. It is well made and has no sharp edges.
I have connected
1 x Firewire 8x HUB of Exsys (because 2 x Firewire hard drives
1 x Drobo Pro Raid over LAN
1 x Delock USB 3.0 HDD Docking Station
1 x LaCie eSATA Hub (2x Thunderbolt 10Gb / s, 2 x eSATA 3Gb / s) in Thunderbolt (because 2 x 4x HDD Fantec Tower eSata)
1 x 2.5 USB 3.0 hard drive of Trekstor, USB Bus Powered
A performance difference of the hard drives to the USB 3.0 ports compared to the iMac internal USB 3.0 I can not determine.
Even with the Firewire hard drives I see no difference between the Belkin Express Dock u. The Apple Thunderbolt Firewire adapter.
I am now but not as the benchmark Junkie. Perhaps benchmarks would indeed say something else, but to me it is not so on
the last ounce of speed. Important to me is a stable system. And that is ensured with the Express Dock.
It is worth mentioning that the Express Dock switches off the connected drives when you shut down the iMac.
In many USB hub which is not the case.
What is noticeable is that the device is quite fast warm. But that is to get over, because this does not really bother.
Although the price has put me off initially a bit, I must say that it is justified in hindsight. The unit is well made and offers
extensive interfaces and expanded. my iMac as a variety of additional interfaces.
The only downside: It is not a Thunderbolt cable. This must be purchased separately. I use a Thunderbolt cable 1m DeLock Model Number: 83166
But deduct a star for the lack of cable would not be fair. Therefore, a full five stars for a really great and mature product.
Addendum on 12/18/2014
The device is now for almost 1 1/2 years without errors in my application without my Apple hardware has been damaged.