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Next real world performance was tested in eSATA and USB mode, I used the install file for FEAR Combat since it is a large file. The FEAR combat install file size is 1.851.715 GB just slightly under 2 Gigs and makes for a good data block to test transfer speeds with. This test is uploading the file from the ICY DOCK MB559US-1S to a computer and timing the transfer speed.

As you can see the eSATA mode blew the USB connection away with just 40 seconds to transfer 1.851.715 GB of data compared to the USB time of 1 minute 2 seconds. Real world transfer test of eSATA and SATA were the same as the SiSoftware Sandra bench mark test. The file uploaded to the computer at exactly the same speed. I also edited some video files using the drive in eSATA mode and tried to edit the same files in USB mode. In eSATA mode the MB559US-1S ran smooth and fast.

I used InterVideo WinDVD Creator to edit files recorded from my cable TV box of my favorite shows through my TV card. The files are 2 Gigs in size and my TV card records two of them every hour. InterVideo WinDVD Creator is a huge system hog and hard drive speed is a big factor in editing the files. The faster your hard drive the faster you're done and can watch your show. In eSATA mode the editing was fast and the MB559US-1S did not get hot to the touch. This surprised me since video editing pushes the drive to the max and that causes heat. I tried to edit using the MB559US-1S in USB mode but it was way too slow for my taste and I soon gave up trying.

Now I do not want anyone to get the idea that the USB mode is worthless, so lets go over some of the things you can do in USB mode with the MB559:

Movies/music/videos to go anyone? Yes now you can take all your movies and music with you anywhere you can find a wall socket and a computer. The MB559 in USB mode works great for playback of movies and MP3's and you can store tons of your favourites and take them where ever you want.

That's right take it to the office and watch your movies or listen to your MP3's on your work computer. Just turn it on and plug it into any USB port and your work day just got a whole lot more fun.

Computer tech's will find this a great tool, not only can you load all your software on it to use anywhere but you can backup customer data with ease. Anyone who needs to backup data will find this a great tool. This option is the one I like the best even though I seldom do a full wipe and reload of my own system there are times I need to repair Windows and this will be a life saver.

And let's not forget LAN party's. We all know what happens at LAN party's, that's right lots of file sharing *cough* like game patches and stuff, and the LAN party Admins hate network bandwidth being used for that since it slows down the multiplayer gaming. Now you can transfer files at that LAN party fast and easy and they will never call you a bandwidth hog again.

Ok Linux Guru's now something for you.
I ran some test of the MB559 in USB mode with Knoppix Linux, and for you people who are not in the know about Linux:

 " KNOPPIX is a bootable Live system on CD or DVD, consisting of a representative collection of GNU/Linux software, automatic hardware detection, and support for many graphics cards, sound cards, SCSI and USB devices and other peripherals. KNOPPIX can be used as a productive Linux system for the desktop, educational CD, rescue system, or adapted and used as a platform for commercial software product demos. It is not necessary to install anything on a hard disk. Due to on-the-fly decompression, the CD can have up to 2 GB of executable software installed on it (over 8GB on the DVD "Maxi" edition)." 

Yep it's a version of Linux made to be booted and run from ether a CD or DVD drive. But you can install it to a hard drive and it works great even though true Linux people say "Don't do it". I am just a computer geek though so I say lets have some fun!