Engadget

Brando's SATA HDD dock makes the obligatory leap to USB 3.0

Darren Murph — Tue, 21 Dec 2010 18:56:00 EST

It had to happen at some point, so why not now? After a startling -- almost terrifying -- year-long gap between Brando SATA HDD docks, the company is finally outing another. For those who've been camped out under the nearest boulder for the past few years, these external HDD docks allow users to plug any 2.5- or 3.5-inch SATA hard drive in, and then have said drive mount on the desktop of a connected computer. It's pretty handy for those running diagnostic tests or looking to clone a drive without a dedicated machine, and now it's taken the expected leap to USB 3.0 -- a move that rival Sharkoon made back in 2009. You'll also find a trifecta of SuperSpeed USB ports on the rear, though this gem will set you back a full $140 if you buy in today. Yikes.

Brando's SATA HDD dock makes the obligatory leap to USB 3.0 originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 21 Dec 2010 18:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Thermaltake shoves SATA HDD docks into V9 BlacX Edition PC enclosure

Darren Murph — Sun, 20 Jun 2010 01:41:00 EST

PC chassis enthusiasts (yeah, there is such a thing) will surely know that Thermaltake's V9 Black Edition has been out for a couple of years now, but there's evidently quite a bit of difference in the V9 BlacX Edition. Aside from that awkward letter change, of course. The otherwise ho hum mid-tower enclosure -- complete with a black outer shell, seven PCI expansion slots and a grand total of ten drive bays -- spruces things up by offering a pair of SATA HDD docks right on the front panel. Basically, the company took one of these right here and smashed it into the front of its newest enclosure. With it, you'll able to shove any spare 2.5- or 3.5-inch SATA hard drive right into your system for quick access, all without needing an external peripheral to do it. In fact, we just made a promise to ourselves to never buy another case without this kind of magnificent integration. Check it this August for $99.

Thermaltake shoves SATA HDD docks into V9 BlacX Edition PC enclosure originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 20 Jun 2010 01:41:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Screen Grabs: Simon Campos forgets how to install an HDD in his FlashForward

Darren Murph — Mon, 22 Mar 2010 03:48:00 EST

While the majority of the world is busy forgetting all about ABC's FlashForward, that conniving Simon Campos has been busying forgetting which end is up on a modern day hard drive. Utilizing one of those all-too-useful SATA HDD docks on the latest episode, he proceeds to jam his hard drive into the dock upside-down, though a later shot of the device shows that some producer went in and made things right while the cast was off munching on hors d'œuvres. Imagine that -- the guys and gals behind the camera making the ones in front look good. Ah, Hollywood.

[Thanks, Yoav]

Screen Grabs: Simon Campos forgets how to install an HDD in his FlashForward originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 22 Mar 2010 03:48:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sharkoon's USB 3.0 SATA HDD dock doubles up, now handles two drives

Darren Murph — Sat, 20 Feb 2010 04:47:00 EST

We tell ya, these HDD docks... they sure know how to keep pace with the latest and greatest of technological innovations. Shortly after Sharkoon busted out a USB 3.0-enabled version, along comes this fellow: a dual-drive version of the same device. Packing a pair of SuperSpeed USB sockets and room for two 2.5- or 3.5-inch hard drives (or a combination, if you prefer), this device makes it dead simple to clone drives and ready a new one to supplant your existing platter. It's available now for €59.90 ($81), but if you wait a fortnight or so, we're almost certain the next iteration will be out to take its place.

Sharkoon's USB 3.0 SATA HDD dock doubles up, now handles two drives originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 20 Feb 2010 04:47:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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

Darren Murph — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 07:39:00 EST

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.

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

Sharkoon SATA QuickPort adds USB 3.0 support, doesn't forget its roots originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 19 Nov 2009 07:39:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Brando churns out new HDD dock, all is well with the world

Vlad Savov — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 15:01:00 EST

We've decided to start using Brando's tireless refreshes as a sort of economic barometer -- if an entire calendar month passes without a brand spanking new HDD dock, we'll know we are in trouble. Seemingly content with its high-end offering, Brando has gone back to basics with the SATA Dual HDD Docking Station, which has space for a pair of 2.5- or 3.5-inch drives, but eschews the usual multicard reader. You get an eSATA extension kit in the package for suckling power and data from your computer, but that's pretty much it. Is it convenient? Sure. But at $63 we'd expect a little bit more -- like maybe bundling the hard drives for free.

Filed under: Peripherals, Storage

Brando churns out new HDD dock, all is well with the world originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 13 Aug 2009 15:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Brando HD Media Player Docking Station does multi-format 1080p

Vlad Savov — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 15:59:00 EST

It seems that Brando can't go a month without bringing out yet another slightly-improved domicile for your orphaned SATA HDDs. Following in the footsteps of the very recent Multimedia Dock, the latest unit adds H.264 decoding to the already present DivX, Xvid and MPEG-4, while output graduates to full 1080p. Featuring HDMI and a plethora of supported media formats, the humble docking station has certainly grown up, but is it enough to compete with standalone media players? Input flexibility would suggest so -- the new device accepts 2.5-inch and 3.5-inch hard drives, alongside USB flash memory, SD, MMC, and MS cards -- but alas, Brando loses the plot at the final hurdle, asking for an astronomical $199. With prettier alternatives available at half the price, this is unlikely to sell like hotcakes, but Brando's breakneck refresh cycle give us the feeling it won't be long before we see that perfect do-it-all dock.

Filed under: Peripherals, Storage

Brando HD Media Player Docking Station does multi-format 1080p originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 27 Jul 2009 15:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Brando HD Media Player Docking Station does multi-format 1080p

Paul Miller — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 14:56:00 EST

Filed under: Players

Brando HD Media Player Docking Station does multi-format 1080p originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 27 Jul 2009 14:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Brando's latest SATA HDD Multimedia Dock does HDMI, the ancestors proud

Darren Murph — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 21:31:00 EST

If you haven't been following this phenomenon in geek culture, you've truly been doing yourself a grave disservice. Not quite an Obama-level disservice, but we digress. Just a few months after refreshing its SATA HDD dock to bring along multicard support, the outfit has done the multimedia crowd one better by offering up an HDMI-equipped version. As expected, the device supports 2.5- and 3.5-inch SATA hard drives and can connect to one's PC via USB 2.0; from there, just hook up your component jacks or HDMI cable and enjoy crystal clear playback of whatever content you've got slammed in there. Too bad all this fun will set you back $79, but we suppose it's still a wee bit cheaper than an unadulterated media streamer.

Filed under: Digital Cameras

Brando's latest SATA HDD Multimedia Dock does HDMI, the ancestors proud originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 12 Jun 2009 21:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Multicard-lovin' dual SATA HDD dock keeps the dream alive

Darren Murph — Wed, 20 May 2009 20:19:00 EST

It's funny, really. Years back, we figured this SATA HDD dock was a one-off device that would get swept under the rug as quickly as it reached prominence. And yet, here we are in May of 2009 looking at the latest iteration of a product that won't ever stop reinventing itself. Brando's Dual SATA HDD Multi-Function Dock with One Touch Backup (yeah, seriously) doubles up on elder models by holding two 2.5- or 3.5-inch hard drives, and it also accepts a litany of flash cards. Lastly, this adds an eSATA connector to the traditional USB 2.0 socket for a bit more flexibility, but we still can't justify the $89 price if you already own a predecessor (or three).

Filed under: Peripherals, Storage

Multicard-lovin' dual SATA HDD dock keeps the dream alive originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 20 May 2009 20:19:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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NewerTech's Voyager Q converts SATA HDDs into hot-swappable external drives

Darren Murph — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 06:41:00 EST

Man, talk about a hasty refresh cycle. NewerTech just unleashed its original Voyager in early December, and barely a month later we're being treated to the Voyager Q. Delivered at Macworld today, the quad interface device (USB 2.0, eSATA, FireWire 400 and FireWire 800) sports a sleek, glossy exterior, hinged flaps to cover the gaps when your internal HDDs are being used internally and support for hot-swapping, too. Both 2.5- and 3.5-inch SATA I / II drives are supported, and yes, both OS X and Windows platforms are fully supported. If you've finally lost the inability to avoid procuring one of these type units, you can get the Voyager Q on its way to you this moment for $99.95.

Filed under: Storage

NewerTech's Voyager Q converts SATA HDDs into hot-swappable external drives originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 07 Jan 2009 06:41:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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NewerTech intros quad-interface SATA HDD dock of its own

Darren Murph — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 16:12:00 EST

It's amazing, really, that this meme has lasted this long. When we first noticed Brando's SATA HDD Dock, we figured it was destined to become a cute, one-off gift that only the hardest of hardcore storage freaks would bother with. Over a year later, we're having trouble counting the iterations available. Now, we've got storage mainstay NewerTech diving in with one of its own, as it has just revealed the quad-interface Voyager SATA hard drive docking station. As you'd expect, the unit turns any 2.5- or 3.5-inch SATA I / II hard drive (up to 2TB) into an external drive, and with FireWire 400 / 800, USB 2.0 and eSATA sockets, you shouldn't have any issue hooking it up. It's available now for stocking stuffing at $99.95.

Filed under: Storage

NewerTech intros quad-interface SATA HDD dock of its own originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 02 Dec 2008 16:12:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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