USB dock for bare SATA drives

[GoaTrancer]

Hey there seems to be a bit of a buzz around the net about these USB docking stations for SATA hard drives. A couple companies seem to be making them now.
http://gizmodo.com/gadgets/hard-dri...re-sata-drives-like-nes-cartridges-312747.php
http://benchmarkreviews.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=188&Itemid=60

It looks like a pretty cool backup solution, at least if one has an appropriate place to store their drives when not in use... but I have to wonder if its problematic to run hard drives vertical like that, and how long one can safely leave a drive in the dock (and thus exposed to the room environment).
So does anyone have experience with these things? Seen one in action at least?

 

[techound1]

I use an even looser version:

http://eshop.macsales.com/item/Newer Technology/U2NV2SPATA/

It's fine. It's just like an enclosed hard drive but yours are open to dust.

I'm curious if you've thought about how an iMac hard drive sits behind the screen - that's far from parallel with your table.

 

[monokakata]

Similar:

http://www.granitedigital.com/usb20tosataideharddrivebridgeadapter.aspx

I've used these, and they do exactly what they say they can do. If you're a hardware person, you need something like this (or the one the previous poster linked to) in your tool kit. It can totally save your butt in an emergency.

Casual (but effective) cases:

http://www.granitedigital.com/25and35siliconedriveshieldsdrivemechprotection.aspx

 

[dr. shdw]

http://www.thermaltakeusa.com/Products.aspx?S=1268

 

[GoaTrancer]

I use an even looser version:

I'm curious if you've thought about how an iMac hard drive sits behind the screen - that's far from parallel with your table.

Heh good point.