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Have you ever pulled out an old hard drive and needed a quick and
easy way to retrieve data from that hard drive without going through
all the trouble of installing it in another computer? This has been
a problem for enthusiasts and computer techs for years until the USB
drive adapter was invented. The average computer user may only need
such a device once or twice every few years, but a computer
technician simply can't live without one. Our friends over at
Newer Technology has a new USB 2.0 Universal Drive Adapter for
us to look at today. This new drive adapter does it all! Let's take
a look...

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Specifications
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USB 2.0 to ATA connection (2
sided, for 2.5" and 3.5" drives), and a SATA
connection
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Connect any device with an ATA or
SATA interface to a Mac® or PC with USB interface
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Transfer rate approx. 480 Mbps
(USB 2.0)
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Complies with USB 2.0 standards
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Backwards compatible to USB 1.1
standards
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Complies with ATA/ATAPI-66 Spe.
V1.0
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Compatible with SATA-I and
SATA-II
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Simple to install
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Supports IDE and enhanced IDE
hard drives
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Supports ATA/ATAPI CD-ROM/R/RW
DVD-ROM and more
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Heavy Duty, UL listed, 2.0A
external 110C-240V autoswitching AC adapter provides
drive power
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Compatibility
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Macintosh Requirements:
Mac OS 9.2 or higher, including Mac OS X
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Windows Requirements:
Windows 2000, XP, or Vista (No drivers required, plug
and play!)
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Out of the box
experience...

Newer Tech has done a nice job packing the drive
adapter. In the box you'll find everything you need right down to
the power adapters, power cables, plug adapters, and all the USB,
IDE and SATA cables.
Up Close
USB drive adapters are not
about speed, performance, or even looks. It's all about functionality
and compatibility. The drive adapter is a life saving tool that no
computer tech can live without. You simply need a drive adapter that
works with IDE and Serial ATA drives, to include the small 2.5"
notebook hard drives.

With so many cables it would
be nice to have a little cloth tool bag, but for only $35 you get a
lot for your money. Personally I store my adapter in a medium size
camera bag so I don't loose any cables.

The one big thing that sets
Newer Tech's drive adapter apart from the rest is the drive
indicator lights. They are not really that necessary, but it does
help ensure your cables are connected. This is also one of the
smallest drive adapters I've used, although size isn't a factor.
Again, functionality and compatibility trumps everything.

Conclusion
The average user may not have
a great need for such a device, but I for one simply can not live
without it. If you're a computer enthusiast of any level you really
need to treat yourself to one of these life savers. I can't count
how many times someone has brought me a dead computer and they
absolutely needed to retrieve the data off the hard drive no matter
what it took. If the hard drive is still functioning, the Newer Tech
USB 2.0 drive adapter will get the job done. Newer Tech has also
done a nice job of updating a necessary tool that has been around
for years. I really like the new power LEDs but at the same time
wish Newer Tech would include a carrying case to help keep all the
cables and adapters organized in one convenient location.
Regardless, the price is right and the device works exactly as
advertised. This device is highly recommended by all of the staff
here at Club Overclocker!
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| Performance: |
5 out of 5 | |
Innovation: |
4 out of 5 | |
Quality: |
4 out of 5 | |
Stability: |
5 out of 5 |
| Aesthetics: |
5 out of 5 | |
Software/Drivers Pack: |
N/A |
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Overclocking: |
N/A |
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Value: |
4 out of 5 |
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 | Project Skill Level (5 being most difficult) |
2
out of 5 |

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