[Le Flaneur]

I'm looking for a universal drive adapter -- the gadget that allows you to connect a PATA/SATA 2.5"/3.5" hard drive to a computer via USB cable. FireWire would be great, and WiebeTech makes one, but it costs $199

There's one from NewerTech for about $30

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

And there's another one sold by Amazon for $20:

http://www.amazon.com/Sabrent-USB-DS...dp/B000HJ99DI/

Do any others come to mind?

Any ideas as to which would be better? I've read that both haver trouble with 2.5" drives that are bus powered, but can't you just connect the supplied external power supply in that case?

[ChrisF]

I've been using the Newer Tech one for some time now. It works just fine for what I need but I haven't really noted the performance. Most 2.5" drives work just fine without using the AC adapter, but yes, you can connect the AC adapter if needed.

[Le Flaneur]

Originally Posted by ChrisF 

I've been using the Newer Tech one for some time now. It works just fine for what I need but I haven't really noted the performance. Most 2.5" drives work just fine without using the AC adapter, but yes, you can connect the AC adapter if needed.

I had thought that the user was forced to use bus power with 2.5" IDE drives. Thanks.

[mduell]

Newegg.com - VANTEC CB-ISATAU2 SATA/IDE to USB 2.0 Adapter - Adapters & Gender Changers works well for me.
I'd recommend a dock (more expensive) if you're going to be using it a lot.

[Le Flaneur]

Originally Posted by mduell 

Newegg.com - VANTEC CB-ISATAU2 SATA/IDE to USB 2.0 Adapter - Adapters & Gender Changers works well for me.
I'd recommend a dock (more expensive) if you're going to be using it a lot.

The docks don't appear to do IDE/PATA