These are two products that serve the same function but go about it in very different manners. The Thermaltake SilverRiver is sleek and stylish while the Ultra has clearly chosen "function" over "form". This is not to say the the SilverRiver is ineffective or that the MPD is ghastly, just that each unit definitely has its strengths. When it really comes down to it users will have t decide which features are most important to them and choose according. This review has shown that each enclosure transfers data about as quickly as the other and since they are similarly priced, only certain features set them apart.