USB 3.0-to-SATA Adapter Gives HDDs SuperSpeed
Now here's a nifty little device for those old hard drives stacking up and collecting dust like old nudie magazines. USB peripheral manufacturer Brando has devised of a way to connect those SATA HDDs by way of USB 3.0. via its new Unitek USB 3.0 to SATA adapter (Y-1034). The device can even be used with older IDE-based drives using an extra IDE to SATA docking converter.
What's even better is that not only can the old drives toss around data a "theoretical" speeds of 5.0 GB/s, but they're instantly turned into external HDDs. "Now you do not have to worry about the data in your old hard disk because the he UNITEK USB 3.0 to SATA Adapter (Y-1034) helps to transfer data from IDE/SATA HDD to other devices," the company said.
Of course, the drawback here is that--in addition to paying a meager $48 plus shipping costs--you'll need a USB 3.0 compliant motherboard or PCI-e card installed to use the SuperSpeed connection. The specs reveal that it's still compliant with USB 2.0, so it seems possible to use the new adapter in current, USB 2.0 machines.
According to the company, the adapter supports Windows XP, Vista, the new Windows 7, and Linux. The device also handles HDD capacities up to 2 TB.

It always helps to be prepared when doing tech support.
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/usb-3.0-performance,2490.html
To me, this appears to be a good, well timed primer for the USB3 reviews that are no doubt coming in the near future.
Kevin - good on ya for a short, accurate article...
translation: faster to copy porn off the customers computer before returning it.
just kidding
"The device can even be used with older IDE-based drives using an extra IDE to SATA docking converter."
Did you read the article?
yes its pointless device
pretty sure the device doesn't come with the ide-sata converter.....
Your message is pointless. This is a gread device if you want to actually upgrade older parts or if you have a new motherboard and you can still use your old HDDs to make them a bit faster. Its nifty until usb3.0 becomes mainstream and then this will be forgotten...
i have a few 320 and 160 stat 1s that needs this treatment, not for 42 tho...
Something that wasn't mentioned in this article and I am very interested in is if by utilizing this device could the drive hooked up be bootable?
yeah usb3 will speed it up but who has a usb3 slot? this sounds like a placed ad to me.
You're limited to barely SATA 1 speeds on any drive made exceps SSDs anyway, and you certainly don't have "old" ones of those just kicking around. That means even your onboard SATA 1 ports are going to support Sata II drives via eSATA connectors t faster than USB2 speeds. There are no spinning disks that can exceed SATA 1 by more than minor margins, and you also likely don't have those kicking around old and unused...
You need no external case if it's for occasional connectivity. There are docks available that take both 2.5 and 3.5" drives hot plug that support eSATA ports as well.
This cable is a pointless system as all board i can find that actually support USB 3 already have a native eSAAT port as well, and you would not buy a USB 3 card and a $35 adapter to do what a simple eSATA cable and card already can.
And spend $50 for it? You can do this today without spending more than $20 or so. You buy an External HD IDE case. Drop the drive in (don't bother with the cover) - transfer your data to the bigger,faster and newer drives. Then run ERASER (free from download.com) to erase the data on the HD. Then you can give away your drives, sell them or recycle.
Here are 35 choices: http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=2010010092+1053807123+1053907126+1054107130&QksAutoSuggestion=&ShowDeactivatedMark=False&Configurator=&Subcategory=92&description=&Ntk=&CFG=&SpeTabStoreType=&srchInDesc=
Vantec is upper end. The really cheap ones will fail quicker. These all plug into USB2.0 (some include firewire)