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The AC Ryan hard disk enclosure has more than the usual connections
The AC Ryan Alubox eSata enclosure – or to give it its full name, the ACR HD50114 – is an empty enclosure, but we like it because it is more versatile than most. These normally take either a Sata or Pata (also known as IDE) drive and then connect to the computer using USB. This is more versatile on both fronts.
Taking a look at the back reveals the traditional USB socket but it's also got an eSata socket. This is the external connection for Sata and there are several good reasons for using this if it is available. It's a lot faster than USB and the available speed of a USB connection is shared across all the devices on that hub, so using the eSata connection should improve transfer times if there are other devices connected with USB.
The versatility extends inside as well because the Alubox will take either Sata or Pata disks. The disk in the video is connected with Sata but at the other end of the circuit board is a Pata connection. This is useful for retrieving documents from older notebooks both for yourself, or maybe friends and family.
It is still cheap, despite the different connections both internally and externally. We found it on the Specialtech website for just under £15 plus postage.
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Dissappointing
I thoght this video was going to show me how to remove an old disk and store it in the caddy to use as storage. This is what was indicated on page 57 issue299
Posted by Jacqueline Lyons, 23 Aug 2009
Other external hard disk videos
Hi You might find these videos helpful as well - Fit a hard disk in an external box http://www.computeractive.co.uk/2243972 -Prepare a hard disk for use http://www.computeractive.co.uk/2246207 How to format a disk in Windows (maybe not if you're moving a disk from an old machine) We don't have a video on removing a hard disk from computer, but you can reverse the instructions in the install videos for desktops http://www.computeractive.co.uk/2230827 and laptops http://www.computeractive.co.uk/2226742 Tim, Computeractive
Posted by Tim Smith, 24 Aug 2009