Hey guys I'm on the lookout for a durable SATA to USB adapter for 3.5inch HDDs…
I currently only have a 2011 Macbook Pro, but I'd like something future proof, so SATA3/USB3 for when I scrape together for a new computer.
So is there anything within the $30-$40 range that will perform? I'd prefer a dock-style adapter rather than an enclosure.
So in summary:
- USB3/SATA 3 with backward compatibility
- Plug and play for Mac and Windows (no extra dodgy drivers required)
- Able to handle 6TB+ Hard Drive sizes
- Cheap (ha ha ha)
Can anyone recommend something that won't destroy my hard drives and/or burn my house down?
Go to MSY and ask to look at "USB 3 hard drive docking stations" - they only carry a couple of brands.
I picked up a Unitek dual bay hard disk dock which works without drivers (on Windows - I don't have a mac to test it) over USB for about $40 - it's the most expensive cheaper brand model. It features an aluminum body and it does "offline cloning" (can clone drives without being plugged in) which is handy. I've only used WD Greens on it so far but FWIW it's transferred at 90MB/s and that speed is maintained at all times regardless of what is being transferred however other HDD's are much faster than this drive. It takes 3.5 and 2.5 HDD and SSD.
Inserting and removing drives is simple: push it in, pull it out when finished.
The only thing i don't like about it is the dust cover is flimsy and looks like packaging (it's not an eyesore but it's flimsy).
One thing to note is that USB 3 and USB 3.1 are significantly different in that 3.1 features double the transfer speed. I'm not 100% clear what the requirements are to use USB 3.1 at it's full capacity though in terms of ports so it may or may not be worth paying for it.