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Thunderbolt Caddy
- Thread starter LastLine
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http://www.akitio.com/thunderbolt-series
Their enclosures are bootable. OR,
http://eshop.macsales.com/shop/Thunderbolt/external-drives/portable/On-The-Go
if you can wait, I think this might be a great solution for you.
Their enclosures are bootable. OR,
http://eshop.macsales.com/shop/Thunderbolt/external-drives/portable/On-The-Go
if you can wait, I think this might be a great solution for you.
For a single SSD, USB 3.0 (presuming you have it) is just as fast or faster, and much more cost-effective.
I'll be first to say that using that shiny new port is going to be fun, but likely even a USB 3.0 drive and a USB 3 hub is going to be cheaper than a thunderbolt enclosure.
However, I use this 2.5" dual-drive TB case and I'm happy with it.
http://www.akitio.com/portable-storage/neutrino-thunder-duo
It's available with no drives from Monoprice.
Until quite recently, you could find this Delock 42490 Thunderbolt enclosure on Amazon US. It's readily available here in Asia and if you can find it someplace it's about $90.
While not an enclosure, the Seagate STAE128 Thunderbolt adapter is another popular option for adding an external SSD.
The Delock runs via an AC adapter while the Seagate is bus-powered.
Thunderbolt is always a better choice, but if you do decide to go with a USB 3 enclosure, I highly recommend one with UASP support like this Inateck.
While not an enclosure, the Seagate STAE128 Thunderbolt adapter is another popular option for adding an external SSD.
The Delock runs via an AC adapter while the Seagate is bus-powered.
Thunderbolt is always a better choice, but if you do decide to go with a USB 3 enclosure, I highly recommend one with UASP support like this Inateck.
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I just got that enclosure and I really like it. It is plastic but it is tool-free (makes drive changes easy) and has an off/off switch which I find very handy.
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Thanks for the review. I have been considering picking up one of these myself and you sure can't beat the price.
What the heck is with that bizarre USB port? Why in the world would they put a type A connector on the drive?
I guess "why wouldn't they?" is an equally valid question. It's not the only one out there using Type A to A. For example:
http://www.amazon.com/SIIG-SuperSpeed-2-5-Inch-Enclosure-JU-SA0912-S1/dp/B004D4VAGW
Personally, I could do without the micro-B connectors.
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One of the best enclosures I have tried is the LaCie "Rugged" Thunderbolt/USB 3.0 case. You can get a 1TB refurbished unit from Mac Mall and swap out the hard disk for a SSD of your choice. Then sell or use the pulled 1TB hard disk. This comes with the Thunderbolt cable as well.
The ugly orange rubber shell comes off easily and the "bare" enclosure is very nice looking without it.
-howard
Because USB A connectors are specified to always be on the host side... and USB A-A connectors are illegal.
Plugging them into two ports on two computers (as an example) shorts two power supplies together. Similar to having a power cord with two male plugs (one on each end)... so that you can plug it into two wall sockets.
USB A-A is a very bad idea.
/Jim
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The devices in question are bus-powered so it is a moot issue. There is no danger of shorting power supplies and therefore no disadvantage nor risk in using A-A.
However, thank you for pointing out why most external (and all AC-powered) devices do, in fact, use A-B.
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The issue is that there should be no A-A cables period. Just like there should be no electrical cords with male plugs on both ends.
Any product that would use such a setup would not be certified by the USB-IF... and if such a product had such a label, then it would almost certainly be a counterfeit label.
Personally... I choose to avoid products that so blatantly disregard specs.
/Jim
I disagree that the cables provided are necessarily out of specs. There must be fully certified Type A to Type A cables because USB On-the-Go devices as well as USB-powered Wi-Fi routers require them. This strictly A to B concept is based on an old topology.
And at any rate, even if this were true, there are any number of fully certified cables and adapters that could be used together to achieve the same end results. If two host devices are plugged into each other, ultimately, the user is to blame.
I agree. But it appears that the whole USB cable mess will be remedied by the next USB 3.1 products which will require all-new cabling and there will supposedly be only 1 cable, period. Of course that also means that all existing products are made obsolete overnight.