Thinkpads Forum

Does anyone know whether something like is suitable for use with a desktop DVD drive:
http://cgi.ebay.com/USB-2-0-to-IDE-SATA ... 286.c0.m14

It clearly states: Supports SATA Hard drive, 2.5" laptop hard drives, 3.5" desktop hard drives, CD-ROM, DVD-ROM, CD-RW, DVD-RW Combo devices

Besides, for that money you couldn't go far wrong...

What it claims to do and what it actually does could be two different things. No dispute on the cost.

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I have a similar device and it does both PATA and SATA. I haven't tested SATA optical drives but hard drives work flawlessly. I tried PATA DVD drive and it worked too so I assume there wouldn't be any problem with SATA optical drivers.

It's a nice gadget to have if there are a lot of different drives going through your hands and you want to be able to access all of them. The disadvantage is the cable clutter, especially with SATA.

What is the advantage of this device on eBay versus Apricorn Drivewire?

http://www.google.com/products/catalog? ... 7409419774#

http://www.apricorn.com/product_detail. ... mily&id=39

DriveWire USB to IDE/PATA/SATA Adapter

Apricorn’s DriveWire Universal Hard Drive Adapter... provides a USB interface to virtually any PATA/IDE or SATA hard drive, 2.5” or 3.5”.

Thanks everyone for their responses. The advantage over the Apricorn appears to be $20 and the ability to use the $10 device with optical drives.

I have a similar kit and it works fine for SATA 3.5 internal drives. the cables are a bit of a mess, but it's only for temporary use. I gave about $15.00 USD for mine, and I see no sense in paying more for a brand name for a device that is rarely used. But when you need it it is quite handy.

Scott