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p3ncil

macrumors 6502
Original poster
Jul 6, 2009
259
26
I'm looking at USB 3.0 HDD Docks does anyone have any recommendations?

I've read up about how some docks refuses to spin down the HDD when the iMac goes to sleep. And some which refuse to mount until they are physically plugged into the port again.

Are all docks affected?

Thanks!
 
The Newertech SATA 6GBit/s dock works fine.
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I'm looking at USB 3.0 HDD Docks does anyone have any recommendations?

I use the Plugable: http://amzn.com/B003UI62AG

Works great for me, I switch disks frequently & never have to unplug, etc. (just eject disk, switch off Plugable, swap drives, switch on Plugable, done).

My mac never sleeps so can't say how it handles that.
 
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I would suggest buying a drive that uses either an
ASMedia 1051e controller chip
or an
ASMedia 1053 controller chip

The plugable.com single-bay docks have these (they're available thru amazon.com).

Either of the above should give you UASP (USB Attached SCSI Protocol) for faster performance on UASP capable systems. NOT ALL USB3 DOCKS SUPPORT THIS. Be careful of what you get.
 
I would suggest buying a drive that uses either an
ASMedia 1051e controller chip
or an
ASMedia 1053 controller chip

The plugable.com single-bay docks have these (they're available thru amazon.com).

Either of the above should give you UASP (USB Attached SCSI Protocol) for faster performance on UASP capable systems. NOT ALL USB3 DOCKS SUPPORT THIS. Be careful of what you get.

wow, noted with thanks!
 
I don't have a recommendation...but I will say stay away from this guy http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817153146

I bought one and had to ship it back because of constant disconnects using USB3 (USB2 worked fine). The research I did suggested it was the JMicron controller.

Me being dumb, of course I looked at Amazon and Newegg reviews after I bought it - and this problem is quite common.

Oh well live and learn.
 
I would suggest buying a drive that uses either an
ASMedia 1051e controller chip
or an
ASMedia 1053 controller chip

The plugable.com single-bay docks have these (they're available thru amazon.com).

Either of the above should give you UASP (USB Attached SCSI Protocol) for faster performance on UASP capable systems. NOT ALL USB3 DOCKS SUPPORT THIS. Be careful of what you get.

Not that it would matter for a single hard drive on USB 3.0, as long as the dock is capable of SATA-II speeds.
 
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