Vantec Nexstar SATA 2.5IN/3.5IN Hard Drive Docking Station USB2.0 eSATA

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If you need to expand your fast storage, yet need to archive for the future (e.g., video editing and the like) there's no easier way to do it than this device. With 500Gb hard drives in the $50 - 75 range, archiving is finally affordable. If you have an open SATA port on your motherboard, installation could not be simpler - just plug in the extender cable, mount the back plate in your case, plug in the extension cable and power supply to the dock, turn it on and away you go. By the way, eSATA is MUCH faster than the USB2 connections you find on the average external hard drive.

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For sure a handy gadget. Makes transfering data to new pc simple. This will be used for my pc backups.

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Great piece of hardware/gadgetMost important for me, it works with PS3 as long as you format drive with FAT32Amazing the high-defintion mateial you can now play on PS3 if you use tsRemuxer and limit file size to

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Although Thermaltake came out with the dock-style enclosure first, the mistake they made was no eSATA port. Although now that enclosure is available with an eSATA port, Vantec beat them to it. And it's a nice enclosure. The standard iPod white is a nice touch. Nice buy.

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I just got one and it is nice. setup easy, no drivers needed for xp or vista. Had to format the incerted HD so xp could see it in (my computer section). Device is easy to use, there is a little slop when HD is installed but not too much. Stays cool & quiet when running. I would buy another. The only thing is that a cheap dust cover would have been nice for the top.

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Because of many complains in my family, I was forced to return it. They felt that the kids in our family could break it. Because of this, I chose the Nexstar one which was of a lower qaulity as the wire connecting to the esata got loose

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Bought this dock during the anniversary promotion. It works really well and it looks good on the desktop. However, it only support SATA interfaces, so for older harddrives, you will still need an enclosure.

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With drives becoming so cheap, they are now like the new "floppy drives". This allows to literally plug in a drive and use it.Very sleek look (like an iPod style) but doesn't match all my black/silver stuff :/ It is pretty big IMO which takes up desk space.My main gripe is the flap to cover the slot. It is basically useless as it doesn't cover up the connection ports. I guess it just for the 2.5 to keep it stable (upright) but it would hurt to put another flap.Comes even with a eSATA bracket and cable.

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The product is exactly what is advertised - it's an external docking station for SATA hard drives. Setup is a snap - literally plug it in and go and Windows detects the drive and maps it much like any drive enclosure (of course with a new hard drive you need to format it - there is an acceptable explanation of this in the user manual for people who don't know/remember this is necessary).The button and LED power lights are attractive and very iPod-themed. Drives seat themselves solidly without having to fuss with them or jiggle them. Any drive should work - I used a Seagate Barracuda 500GB drive which are 'fatter' than the 250GB models, but it still fit in without a scrape.I do question why this unit is so large - it's about the thickness of 3 SATA hard drives... Can't it have been narrower and ever so slightly taller to cover the electronics?Even then, the size isn't a big issue (it helps stability), but if they make a case so large, why on earth didn't they build the AC adapter into the case so you just need a standard power cable and not the usual laptop-sized power brick halfway down the line? Considering the airflow and relatively low heat put off by the power adapter I can't see thermal considerations being the reason.Overall I'm quite happy and it works exactly as advertised. There is room for improvement but it's excellent!

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good product easy to use standard connecteureSATA product 1TB drive working #1 i just hate the white color lol nothing more This review was modfied by poster @ 05-06-08 02:29 PM

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This is a simple and elegant design. I can put it in the living room without it looking like some geek toy. Works like plugging in a flash drive. Love how it includes both eSATA and USB 2.0. In addition, the wires are included in box!!! Unlike many other who make you buy the wires separately. I would recommend anyone who wants a drive encloser to consider this too. The only qualm I have with it is the activity lights are not too noticible in terms of turning on and off because it is overwhelm by the brightness of the on button above. Hope they fix that in a revision or something, extemely minor detail, does not detract from the overall quality.

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the only thing i guess i could wonder if it's a weakness is it's plastic and it's white..i imagine a black model will come and i'll buy one cause i'm a stealthy computer ninja:) but if you like ipod-ey looks, this has it. seriously, it works great. i should have 3 or 4 on hand. even my engineer thinks it's cool