SATA HDD dock becomes mutant card reader, scares pets

We're big fans of SATA HDD docks that let you quickly access whole drives like noisy, overgrown memory sticks. An earlier unit offered just USB connectivity to your Mac or PC, later adding eSATA before rounding out its options with FireWire. Now we have a new model that still accepts bare 2.5- and 3.5-inch disks on top, but ditches the FireWire connectivity on the back in exchange for a card reader and two-port USB hub on the front -- perfect for plugging in storage of the smaller and quieter variety.

[(Unverified) Posted May 27th 2008 8:16PM]

Thats what they said about the gigabyte

[Xepol Posted May 27th 2008 4:19PM]

I'm not sure why, but my first instinct is to yell "leggo my eggo!"

But, let's set aside my deeply disturbing, commercially induced psychosis for now.

If it used the ESata to provide access to the memory cards, it would be worth the rather HIGH premium for what it does.

That said, it does indeed look like you can get the seperate parts cheaper (even with shipping) and still have enough left over for a good dinner.

[(Unverified) Posted May 27th 2008 7:33PM]

while a sata hdd dock is nothing new, incorporating even more popular connectivities into one package would be awesome. forget saying 'this is all we would ever need' (that reminds me what some people thought about 640k memory a time ago). that's limiting yourself on what you can do.

there's already one with a quad interface with firewire 400&800, usb 2.0, & esata:
http://www.geekstuff4u.com/product_info.php?currency=USD&manufacturers_id=&products_id=691

however what i'm suggesting is one not only with everything thus far -usb 2.0, firewire 400/800, esata, & media card readers. but, one that can transfer data to & from the 2.5" 3.5" or 1.8" hard drive or ssd with 802.11 n & gigabit ethernet as an addition. the usb port in the back would be a *full sized* usb 2.0 powered port without a d or mini connector (yes, still in addition to a power adapter). imagine the possibilities.

and, imagine daisy chaining them with an option to expand the capacity and/or mirror the data. as a modular unit it would offer great capabilities with a heterogenuous mixture of drives and data accessibilities. anybody out there willing to make such a product someday?

sure currently these docks are over-priced, but i think it still would be awesome to have such a multi-functional product out there. there's different classes of thinking -pushing the possibilities, and just enough for all practical purposes to be cost-effective. both are legitimate ways of thinking, but we need progress. technology. everything trickles down eventually.

[808bah Posted May 27th 2008 7:34PM]

Just wondering, do these SATA docks serve as a "permanent" option (Permanent meaning that you could use these as an alternative to an external HD enclosure)?

Or are they just for temporary use of getting data off?

[(Unverified) Posted May 27th 2008 10:30PM]

I wouldn't use them permanently - too exposed and open to being hit, knocked, etc. They're best for PC techs transferring data or people dealing with moving large amounts of data with hard drives.

[linx32 Posted May 27th 2008 8:40PM]

This would be a perfect device if it had HDMI out or any video/audio outputs.

[RAMz Posted May 27th 2008 9:14PM]

Great for your RV
Car
Airplane
RV
...mm car?

Desk?

Yeah, desk is the best...

[(Unverified) Posted May 28th 2008 3:48AM]

axaxaxaxaxaxaxax

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