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ASUS Cobble USB SSD enclosure turned out to be one of those accessories that prompted the right kind of reflection—specifically, about the evolution of computer components. The truth is, USB SSD enclosures don’t really need the ultra-high speeds that modern brands and competitors like to boast about.
What do they actually need? Convenience, elegance, and protection for the drive inside. And at the same time—a reasonable price. The ASUS Cobble has all of that. Well, almost all of it. But we’ll get to that.
Specifications
- Data transfer: USB Type-C 3.2 10 Gbps
- Case protection: IP55
- Dimensions: 129×44×17 mm
- Weight: 92 g
- Operating temperature: 0 to 70 °C
- Storage temperatures: -40℃ to 60℃
- Compatible M.2 form factors: 2242, 2260, 2280
- Supported M.2 standards: NVMe PCIe 4.0 + SATAIII
- Features: Q-Latch
- Official website
Price
Also—keep in mind, I’m reviewing this enclosure in contrast to the ASUS TUF Gaming A2. That model was more expensive and noticeably more robust, but its main focus was on “indestructibility.” The Cobble, on the other hand, comes at a lower price—around $43 / €38. And at the time of writing this review, the price had even dropped to $31.
Package contents
The enclosure’s package contents are satisfactory. It includes the enclosure itself, a fairly detailed user manual, a Type-C to Type-C cable, and… a metal “coin.”
This coin is needed to unscrew the bolt on the bottom of the case. It’s the main “drawback” of the ASUS Cobble—but more on that later.
Exterior appearance
Overall, the pocket-sized design is well thought out. The device comes in black and grey, both made from solid matte metal. Its shape is refined, comfortable to hold, and the surface offers a good grip without feeling slippery.
It’s clear that the body consists of two parts—a top lid and a bottom “tray.” On the sides, there are small notches for fingernails, making it easier to open the case. The bottom features a metal rim that slightly elevates the device above flat surfaces. It’s worth noting that this rim isn’t rubberized, but made of metal. Inside the rim, there’s a label with basic product information.
On the front edge, there’s a USB Type-C 10Gbps port along with a white LED indicator.
ASUS Cobble structure
Opening the case is straightforward—just unscrew the bolt and remove the top lid. Inside, you’ll first find a thermal pad, and second, an area for the SSD. The SSD is surrounded by rubberized protection.
It’s a nice touch that the SSD mounting slots are not only adjustable—supporting 2280, 2260, and 2242 sizes—but also feature Q-Latch. This means tool-free mounting, allowing you to easily remove and reposition the SSD higher or lower.
The dimensions of the case are 129×44×17 mm, with a weight of approximately 92 g without the drive inside. There is no software required; it’s completely Plug and Play.
I tested the ASUS Cobble with a Kingston NV3 SSD, which we’ve already reviewed. Its peak speed was 6 GB/s. Naturally, you won’t achieve that speed over a 10Gbps connection. During testing with my ASUS ROG Scar 15 G533QS, the speeds topped out at around one gigabyte per second.
Disadvantages
There are two main issues with the ASUS Cobble. The first is the lack of temperature monitoring. Some programs, including HWMonitor, refuse to display it in its usual location and even block TRIM readings. Essentially, where the temperature would normally be shown for the SSD, it’s missing. While it can still be seen in tools like CrystalDiskInfo, monitoring it becomes a bit more difficult.
However, this isn’t too concerning—it’s hard to overheat the SSD in the case because the entire ASUS Cobble acts as a heatsink, and a thermal pad is included in the package.
I was quite disappointed to find that there’s no place to store the coin used to easily open the case. There’s no groove or hole in the case for it, so you’ll have to carry it separately, perhaps in your wallet. Adding a small magnet to the bottom would have been a very obvious solution. There’s enough space for the coin, and you could easily create a notch for it to fit.
Conclusion
The case is sleek, accessible, protective, reliable, versatile, and offers great value. I even found myself wanting one. The main issue with the ASUS Cobble is how close it is to being perfect—there’s potential for improvement. A hypothetical ASUS Cobble 2 could be made cheaper, entirely screw-free, with IP56 protection, and that could make it a real hit.
The current model really only lacks a few non-essential details. For example, the coin could easily be replaced with a Philips screwdriver. Considering this, I would still recommend this case.
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