Looking to add a Hard Drive Dock to my computer.
Sunday, December 18, 2011 by Philly0381 | Discussion: Personal Computing
Hi ya folks.
You can tell it's the end of the year and the Holidays. 
One of our fellow community members put me on to a Hard Drive Dock since I had just purchased two Seagate 1 TB drives. I'm seriously looking at this as a way to expand my storage capability and access to it, not that I currently have lots of data taking up my disk space, though I have started to rip my dvd movies and they do take up some room. Nope it's just a 'toy' to buy.
So I'm wondering if any of you have some hands on experience with these. Here is what I'm looking at. http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=3829117&CatId=2785 the link takes you to a page at TigerDirect.
I think I would get the eSATA version which would mean I need a eSATA card for the computer. Does anyone know if they are just a plug into a slot type card with no other hook ups? The reason for going this way is I only have USB 2.0. I'm not sure if I want the one or two drive model.
What's your thoughts folks.
Thank you.
Reply #2 Sunday, December 18, 2011 3:06 PM
Doc, I have USB 2 and I have brought things from TigerDirect to include memory and video cards and have had no problems. Still looking into the dock option, need to learn more about it. 
Reply #3 Sunday, December 18, 2011 3:21 PM
Find a USB 2 dock then and compare prices with Newegg. Chances are Newegg will be cheaper.
I, and others have had not great experiences with Tigerdirect.
http://www.screwedbyforums.com/tigerdirect-com-consumer-reviews-reports-complaints/
Up to you.
Cnet reviews: http://reviews.cnet.com/1770-5_7-0.html?query=Hard+drive+docks&tag=srch&searchtype=products
Reply #4 Sunday, December 18, 2011 3:39 PM
Oddly, I have had good experience with both TigerDirect and Newegg. Just saying.
Reply #5 Sunday, December 18, 2011 4:18 PM
Philly...I have that exact same critter attached to mine...via esata and it's fine.
Only way you know it's there [system-wise] is when you boot....shows as an extra 'step' in the bios load sequence.... 'searching for drive' or some such...so boot takes a second or two longer.
I haven't had it connected via USB2 and my esata is MoBo supported so was the logical option...
Reply #7 Sunday, December 18, 2011 9:33 PM
Philly, I only briefly looked into it but instead of eSATA, you may want to look at those USB3.0 docks and a USB 3.0 card instead. The performance looks to be nearly equal. The coming thing is going to be USB3.0 and it is roughly 10 times faster than 2.0.
Source:http://www.itworld.com/hardware/98987/usb-30-vs-esata-is-faster-better?page=0,1
You'll be set for the new faster USB stuff in the future.
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Reply #1 Sunday, December 18, 2011 2:55 PM
I wouldn't do ant buying from Tigerdirect... not a good rep.
Here are USB 3 docks at Newegg -
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&DEPA=0&Order=BESTMATCH&N=-1&isNodeId=1&Description=hard+drive+dock+usb+3.0