Zalman ZM-VE400

[uprighttech]

I noticed today that Zalman recently released a new drive in their VE series. Does anyone have any experience with this one, and if so, how do you like it? We have a VE300 now, and it has worked well for us. I am curious what the advantages of the VE400 are over the VE300. They are both USB 3.0, and the display itself looks identical with the same menu layout/options from what I can see. Obviously, the controls are different with the new touch interface, but I have found the scroll-wheel on the VE300 to be fairly quick and easy to use, so I'm not sure that is much of an advantage. Would love to hear from anyone who owns one.

http://zalman.com/eng/product/Product_Read.php?Idx=750

 

[dannyict]

review here
http://runawaybrainz.blogspot.be/2012/12/review-zalman-zm-ve400-virtual-cddvdbr.html

 

[katz]

I wonder if this one actually "works"? I'm almost ready to throw my VE300 against a brick wall.

CD's & USB sticks never fail me...

 

[ComputerRepairTech]

Looking sexy! I want one!

I can't find one

 

[phaZed]

I wonder if this one actually "works"? I'm almost ready to throw my VE300 against a brick wall.

CD's & USB sticks never fail me...

Every time I hear this I think "What is this person doing wrong with their Zalman" - Only because I have had the complete opposite experience with both the VE-200 and VE-300. I find very rarely do I have a problem UNLESS the system is very old (10+ years, me thinks Dell Dimension 2600 and 3000 series). Have you updated the firmware?

 

[Scoobaru]

Bugger!
I had to buy another Zalman last week after I damaged my VE200. Upgraded to the VE300 if I'd have known about this one I'd probably have bought that.

The only real bonus for me is the added security but apart from that quite happy to roll with the VE300.

As for faults or not working. I've found certain machines (Dell) are a complete PITA to boot with. The enclosed instructions are a mere glimpse as to what you can do and some Google research soon makes up for that. Win7 install for me typically takes 15mins.

Overall the Zalman is an integral part of my toolbox and one every Tech should have.

 

[katz]

Every time I hear this I think "What is this person doing wrong with their Zalman" - Only because I have had the complete opposite experience with both the VE-200 and VE-300. I find very rarely do I have a problem UNLESS the system is very old (10+ years, me thinks Dell Dimension 2600 and 3000 series). Have you updated the firmware?

I have the latest firmware, yes. And it is mostly the issues you & Scoobaru mention - seems to be a problem w/ Dell machines, but I believe I had an issue with Compaq desktops too. I also don't use it frequently enough, to be honest.

It's much simpler for me to plug a flash drive in & boot from that, no muss, no fuss, works every time.

 

[taysr]

I'm just about to purchase one now, the one thing I've noticed from my VE200 to this (and maybe the ve300 not sure) is the lack of a *read only* switch.... Good for plugging in to machines and stopping the AV from removing some tech apps that are false positives.


Will post after I've given it a good run through.


*edit*

After further reading it appears it does have a write protect function

 

[SAG]

Rise from your grave!!

Hey, look at me! I'm Necroposting!

I brought this thread back up instead of starting a new one (especially since this one had no "I have one" replies).

I have been using the ZM-VE400 for about 3 months now, ever since my Apricorn Aegis died on me. Stuffed it with a 750GB WD Black.

I must say that I do like this better than the Zalman 300 I used to have... for the most part.
All of the (what I consider as) manufacturing flaws have been worked out with this model (no more loose HDD). It feels a little bit lighter than my 300... and looks snazzier too.

The encryption is what sold me on it. It works well, was easy to implement, and doesn't glitch like my Apricorn did (sometimes the apricorn would not unencrypt). However, and I'm not sure if it is just my fat fingers, I have trouble with the keypad... as though it doesn't even recognize that I pressed the key. Like I said, it could be my fault.

The USB3 speed is a nice benefit that I make use of whenever possible.

I've put this thing through the wringer lately and it's working great. For anyone that needs to encrypt their external drive this is a safe bet. But for ease of use I still use a YUMI flash drive for my ISO booting goodness.

 

[kpk1]

I'm looking to buy a 400...... was quite happy with my 200, until I sat on it the other day

 

[Xander]

Bought a 400 about 2-3 months ago. Took some getting used to as the menu system isn't quite as intuitive as I'd have liked. I find the key pad a little unresponsive; some kind of physical feedback would have been good (bubbles in the keypad that 'give' or a tiny speaker click).

Other than that, the encryption makes up for any of that. I don't get many USB3 systems but looking forward to that, too.

 

[Encrypted Existence]

manufacturing flaws have been worked out with this model (no more loose HDD).

Good to know and thank you for sharing this. I LOVE my Zalman...when it works. I found that the SSD I had originally installed in it suffered from the ole "loose HDD". Made it not worth the "will it work this time?" frustration. I'll give it another shot. Thanks again.

 

[HCHTech]

I have a 300 and 2 400s. All have SSDs and when they work, they are flawless. The problem is they don't work as often as I'd like. I see a lot of Dells, apparently - I'll bet the odds are less than 50/50 of them working. Newer computer, non-Dell, I got a pretty good record. Overall, I end up feeling like it's not worth the effort when I have to give up and use a CD.

They are great for WSUS, though - when the computer is already running, they work 100% of the time from within Windows. It's booting from the things that is the pain in the neck.

 

[JustInspired]

I've had a 300 for a while now. It's got my spare SSD in it with a piece of sponge to keep it pressed up against the connector. The low current draw makes it much more compatible than when I had a spinner drive in it.
Plus on USB 3 it flies!

I want another one so may try out the new version.