Sharkoon SATA QuickPort adds USB 3.0 support, doesn't forget its roots

Sharkoon decided to dive into the blossoming SATA HDD Dock game just over a year ago, and now it's making the biggest leap ever for the cult classic-of-a-device. The latest and greatest SATA QuickPort now has USB 3.0 support, meaning that whatever SATA hard drive you slam down into it can be connected to your PC at USB 3.0 speeds. 'Course, you'll need a PC that's actually up to that very task, so it makes sense that the company is simultaneously launching a PCI expansion card that adds USB 3.0 capabilities to any desktop made in the last decade. Best of all, both of these are making their way out across the pond for €49.99 ($75) and €39.99 ($60), respectively, so you folks who make Malta your home can now brag about one more thing you've got going for you.

[Khalid Shahin Posted Nov 19th 2009 7:43AM]

$75 for a dock? Not worth it.

[Gonzie Posted Nov 19th 2009 8:15AM]

@Khalid Shahin which bit of "doesn't forget its roots" did you miss? lol

these things were always expensive when they first come out.

at the moment I'm pretty happy with my usb2/esata dock which i picked up for half the price from a known brand. really don't see much point for something like this for a while

[Brickster Posted Nov 19th 2009 7:54AM]

@kastonie Now if only they would change the font for their articles back to sans-serif.

[(Unverified) Posted Nov 19th 2009 8:01AM]

the price is not practical..

[microlomaniac Posted Nov 19th 2009 8:03AM]

I'd still prefer the eSATA version.

[Randomness Posted Nov 19th 2009 8:05AM]

Isn't Asus releasing a USB 3.0 card for $30?

[barCODE Posted Nov 20th 2009 12:03AM]

@Randomness

Buslink is already selling one.

http://www.buslink.com/category.php?pid=271

[TrumanHW Posted Nov 19th 2009 8:34AM]

why isn't it practical? just because you want it but its out of your budget? you're... a whole "market" ?

[(Unverified) Posted Nov 19th 2009 9:01AM]

Hmmm, looks exactly the same as my Thermaltake unit, even teh same color LED combo...

[kojo87 Posted Nov 20th 2009 1:27AM]

@Archion i have a Thermaltake dock and i immediately thought the same thing.

[BAF Posted Nov 19th 2009 9:40AM]

PCI? People still use that?

[GingerFox Posted Nov 19th 2009 12:02PM]

@Bobby Ferris

*facepalm*

[Snake Robot Podium Posted Nov 19th 2009 9:47AM]

Wha? i bought this exact item last year, only it had an eSata port, and the brand was Thermaltake.

Even the blue/red lights are the same. Are they the same company?

[Leicaman Posted Nov 19th 2009 11:09AM]

Not all desktops. Only Windows XP, Vista and 700 desktops. UNIX, Mac and Linux users need to apply.

[Leicaman Posted Nov 19th 2009 11:09AM]

@Eric er, NOT apply. :P

[DeFlanko Posted Nov 19th 2009 11:21AM]

Ohh this is SOOO worth it. we have two of them here at work... unfortunately they're the thermaltake ones... We should have waited for the USB 3.0 and Dual dock instead.

http://www.thermaltakeusa.com/Products.aspx?C=1346

But thed ones at Sharkoon have the IDE connectors on it too.. those are sick..

[Smurf Posted Nov 19th 2009 11:51AM]

I just got that exact same dock, with USB 2.0, for $0 from NewEgg with purchase of a $90 1TB hard drive. Rosewill, ThermalTake, Nippon Labs, StarTech, and Sharktoon all put their sticker on this dock but I wonder which (likely Chinese) company really makes it.

[Smurf Posted Nov 19th 2009 11:52AM]

I just got that exact same dock, with USB 2.0, for $0 from NewEgg with purchase of a $90 1TB hard drive. Rosewill, ThermalTake, Nippon Labs, StarTech, and Sharktoon all put their sticker on this dock but I wonder which (likely Chinese) company really makes it.

[Smurf Posted Nov 19th 2009 11:53AM]

@Brian
Double posted >.<

It look like there is a delay when you post a reply, now.

[fourthletter Posted Nov 19th 2009 11:58AM]

So essentially this wonderful USB 3.0 upgrade will make it exactly the speed as my £30 eSATA connected HDD Dock.
USB 3 sounds great for cameras, Flash drives etc. but SATA300 cannot even be maxed out by HDD speeds so why would you need USB 3.0 for a hard drive when we already have eSATA ?

[Demache Posted Nov 19th 2009 12:18PM]

@Major4Play

I would assume that its because USB 3.0 is backwards compatible 2.0 and also to demonstrate 3.0's new potential. But maybe I am thinking too optimistically.

[nicegai Posted Nov 19th 2009 2:00PM]

It's the Captain Pike chair for hard drives. One beep means files transferring, two beeps means error.

[Anthony La Posted Nov 20th 2009 4:34AM]

Isn't something like that sticking out rather impractical?

[Fanfoot Posted Nov 20th 2009 12:44PM]

@Anthony La

I assume the obvious way to use this is for backup or imaging applications, e.g. where the hard drive that you plug in is only there temporarily. Or some oddball high security situation.