DiskEnclosure
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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.
Brando's 2.5-inch enclosure with "RFID security"
Egads, Brando has stepped out of their techno-kitsch stronghold and into something potentially useful. The appropriately cryptic STYSEN E08 is a 2.5-inch USB 2.0 SATA disk enclosure with a bit of RFID trickery baked in. With the RFID fob in hand (and at an unspecified range), the drive can be encrypted and decrypted -- an LED glows to communicate the drive's locked or unlocked state. Unfortunately, there's no details about the "hardware-based encryption" used which makes us wonder about the level of safety vs. gimmickry within. Yours for $56 with 2x RFID keys... you know, just in case.
The SATA HDD Stage Rack, at last
Now we're talking! Meet the PC and Mac compatible USB 2.0 SATA HDD Stage Rack. The value of this 2.5- and 3.5-inch compatible dock is obvious if like us, you've got gigs of unused storage laying around after years of SATA disk updates. Just pop in that old disk for instant expansion without having to first wrap the drive in a clumsy enclosure. Available now for €33 / $47. If you still don't get it, check the video after the break... you too will believe.[Via Akihabara News]
The Moleskine disk enclosure: a moveable geek feast
Ever welled in bohemian romance at the sight of a second-hand Penguin Classic casually slung from a rear pants-pocket? If so then you'll understand the avant-garde glory of the Moleskine disk enclosure. At $25 or so, this homemade 2.5-inch SATA enclosure costs less than a bottle of your favorite wormwood elixir. Sure, it might fry your disk without proper ventilation, but your soul at least, shall be redeemed. [Via BoingBoing]
Kuroutoshikou's disk enclosures: the Mac mini's cheap, Japanese friends
If you're just bound and determined to turn your Mac mini into a home media center then be sure to check the matching enclosures from Japan's Kuroutoshikou. The external cases share the dimensions of the mini for easy stackin' action and come in a variety of configurations, all with space for a single 3.5-inch disk. The ¥2,980 (about $25) GW3.5MM-U2 connects over USB 2.0 for PATA disk expansion; the ¥3,480 (about $30) GW3.5MM-U2/HUB adds a 3-port USB 2.0 hub; the ¥3,980 (about $34) GW3.5MM-U2/S adds support for faster, SATA drives; and the ¥5,980 (about $51) GW3.5MM-U2/LAN comes with an Ethernet port for network accessible storage. Got all that? No problem, you've got until the end of the month before they hit Japan.[Via Impress]
Novac's eSATA and USB drive towers: 4.5TB of possible storage
Novac of japan launches some a couple of big empty cases to host the 3.5-inch SATA disks of your choice. The NV-HS372S supports up to five disks and connects to your PC over eSATA. No eSATA, no problem, the adapter card is included in the ¥59,800 (about $517) price tag. The ¥29,800 (about $258) NV-HD600U supports up to six disks and connects to your computer over the more traditional, but slower USB 2.0 interface. With 3.5-inch disks currently maxing-out at 750GB (with 1TB expected this summer), well, you do the porn storage math. Both enclosures rock RAID 0/1 support and ship starting 19 December in Japan. [Via Impress] Read -- eSATA enclosure Read -- USB 2.0 enclosure
