SATA ENCLOSURES
EXTERNAL SATA vs. FIREWIRE 800 DRIVES
ADVANTAGES OF SATA
- Faster data rates, especially in RAID scenarios
- Those data rates are only going to get faster as time progresses -
Firewire 800 seems to be stalled, while we are at the beginning of SATA
technology
- Seem more reliable (on a purely un-scientific basis)
LIMITATIONS OF SATA
- Requires a eSATA card in your computer
- Can't move them from machine to machine like you can Firewire, since
most people don't have SATA cards
- Can't use them on Apple iMacs, eMacs, Minis, MacBooks except the 17"
with 3/4 card slot
- Cable length is restricted to 5 feet from your computer
Find SATA cards here
Find SATA internal drives here