Denis Joseph Nexum Hardware.

Usb Ata

USB Flash Drives and Solid State Drives

Solid state drives have been around for many years, but recent technological changes have increased their viability and their popularity. At its simplest, a solid state drive is one that is built entirely out of semi-conductors, rather than a magnetic drive with moving parts. Originally, solid state drives referred to electronics that did not use vacuum tubes, but this definition is now outdated.

One commonly available form of solid state drive is a USB flash drive. These use the same kind of non volatile chip to retain information, even without power. However, these drives have different capacities and form factors from the solid state drives that are now beginning to enter the market.

* A flash drive is designed as an external piece of the computer system.

* A solid state drive is designed to be used inside the computer in place of magnetic hard drives.

On the outside, solid state drives don't look any different from ordinary hard drives. That allows notebooks and desktop computers to use the solid state drive instead of a regular hard drive. They have the same dimensions as a conventional hard drive and use ATA or SATA interfaces in the same way as the drives we are all familiar with.

So, if these drives look the same and plug into computers the same way, why use them? The lack of moving parts in these drives gives them an advantage over conventional hard drive, which must use drive motors to spin magnetic platters and drive heads. The storage on a solid state drive is instead handled by flash memory, allowing less power to be used, data to be accessed faster and the drive to be more reliable overall.

Using solid state drives in portable computers is made much easier by their lower power use. Since they have no motors to draw power, they use a lot less energy than normal hard drives. While the portable computer industry has taken steps to address this, their solutions still use more power than a solid state drive. It consistently draws less power than either hybrid or traditional hard drives.

Faster data access is possible since the drive platter doesn't have to spin up and there are no drive heads to move. That allows data to be read from a drive nearly instantly. There's nearly a twenty percent improvement in the boot time of Windows on a solid state drive versus a standard drive. Reliability is also important. Since conventional hard drives are very fragile, being jarred can damage them. Solid state drives have no moving parts to be damaged, and can be used in computers that are meant to travel in rougher conditions.

Currently, the big reason these drives are not being used more widely, is cost. These drives have been available for a long time, but the cost of the drive would be equivalent to that of the entire computer they were installed in. Since these drives are growing more popular, price is going down, that suggests that solid state drives will soon be more readily available in forms other than USB flash drives.

About the Author

Derek Rogers is a freelance writer who writes for a number of UK businesses. For
solid state drives
, he recommends
Flashbay.com

Buffalo USB Serial ATA HDLB20TU2 $143.43 Buffalo USB Serial ATA HDLB20TU2

Buslink 2TB - USB - Serial ATA - External CSC2TU3 $639.3 Buslink 2TB - USB - Serial ATA - External CSC2TU3

Buslink 2TB - USB - Serial ATA - External CSE2TU3 $761.35 Buslink 2TB - USB - Serial ATA - External CSE2TU3

SIIG Hi-Speed USB 2.0 to Serial ATA or IDE/Ultra ATA drive adapter JUSA0012S1 $32.18 SIIG Hi-Speed USB 2.0 to Serial ATA or IDE/Ultra ATA drive adapter JUSA0012S1

Imation / Imation Serial ATA to USB Storage Enclosure / 26960 $183.75 Imation - Imation Serial ATA to USB Storage Enclosure - 26960

Cables To Go / USB 2.0 IDE ATA/ATAPI ADAPTER / 30500 $59.85 Cables To Go - USB 2.0 IDE ATA/ATAPI ADAPTER - 30500

Buslink 1 TB - USB - Serial ATA - 2.5" - External DSC1TU3 $446.07 Buslink 1 TB - USB - Serial ATA - 2.5" - External DSC1TU3

Addonics AEIDDSAU Flash Reader/Writer 15-in-1 - Serial ATA, USB $72.96 Addonics AEIDDSAU Flash Reader/Writer 15-in-1 - Serial ATA, USB

Thecus Intel - eSATA, RJ-45 Network, USB, Serial, Serial ATA N5500 $614.68 Thecus Intel - eSATA, RJ-45 Network, USB, Serial, Serial ATA N5500

80GB SATA Hi-Speed USB / Serial ATA 0C9369B $29.18 80GB SATA Hi-Speed USB / Serial ATA 0C9369B

Cables To Go USB 2.0 to IDE/Serial ATA Drive Adapter 30504 $28.75 Cables To Go USB 2.0 to IDE/Serial ATA Drive Adapter 30504

SATA Serial ATA Cable - Serial ATA cable - 1.5 ft $4.99 StarTech.com SATA Serial ATA Cable - Serial ATA cable - 7 pin Serial ATA (F) - 7 pin Serial ATA (F) - 1.5 ft - for StarTech.com 1x 2 2.5in 2S1I 2S2I 4 Extra 2.5in USB 2

SATA Serial ATA + USB + IDE PCI COMBO CARD Adapter $15.67 SATA Serial ATA + USB + IDE 7 Ports PCI PC Card Adapter

Kanguru KXC-U2S USB/Serial ATA Combo Adapter $40.99 1 1 Year Limited 1 x eSATA/USB Combo 1.34" Height x 0.83" Width x 4.41" Depth 2.34 Gbps Serial ATA/300 480 Mbps USB 2.0 High Speed 8 oz KXC-U2S 2-port ExpressCard USB/Serial ATA Combo Adapter Driver and Manual CD Quick Start Guide The Kanguru eSATA/USB ExpressCard features an eSATA/USB combo port that supports eSATA, Powered eSATA and USB 2.0 connections through a single port. The eSATA/USB combo port gives you the convenience of USB connectivity along with the high-speed transfer rate of eSATA connectivity. It also supports Powered eSATA connectivity, allowing you to connect Power eSATA compatible devices without an external power source, eliminating the need for extra, obtrusive cables. The Kanguru eSATA/USB ExpressCard is perfect for people who want fast data connection and versatility without having to sacrifice valuable space on their laptops. ExpressCard KXC-U2S KXC-U2S 2-port ExpressCard USB/Serial ATA Combo Adapter Kanguru Kanguru Solutions PC Plug-in Module RoHS USB/Serial ATA Combo Adapter Yes www.kanguru.com

StarTech.com SATA or USB to CompactFlash Adapter - CompactFlash Type I, CompactFlash Type II, Microdrive - USB, Serial ATA 2CF $69.19 StarTech.com SATA or USB to CompactFlash Adapter - CompactFlash Type I, CompactFlash Type II, Microdrive - USB, Serial ATA 2CF

MPT USB 2.0 to Serial ATA Conversion Kit $38.99 SATA to USB 2.0 Converter Cable 2A Power Supply (100V to 240V Auto-Switching) AC Cord Driver's CD for Windows 98 only User's Guide Windows 98SE/2000/ME or XP MAC OS X The Hi-Speed USB 2.0 to Serial ATA (SATA) drive adapter creates a bridge between one USB 1.1/2.0 port and one Serial ATA or SATA-based mass storage device port. The USB 2.0 to SATA drive adapter turns any SATA hard drive into a convenient external drive. Easily transfer files from computer or notebook, back up files, or store large file archives on hard drives. The Hi-Speed USB 2.0 interface provides for easy installation with its Plug and Play design. The adapter supports all existing Serial ATA, SATA drives 2.5" or 3.5". Conversion Kit MPT Micropac Technologies SATA-C35U USB 2.0 to Serial ATA Conversion Kit www.micropactech.com

Serial ATA to USB 2.0 Cable Converter Adapter with Power Supply SATA to USB 2.0 Cable Converter Adapter $31.99 The Hi-Speed USB 2.0 to Serial ATA (SATA) Drive Adapter creates a bridge between one USB 1.1/2.0 port and one Serial ATA or SATA-based mass storage device port

USB 2.0 to IDE or Serial ATA Drive Adapter - storage controller - IDE / eSATA - USB 2.0 $24.99 C2G USB 2.0 to IDE or Serial ATA Drive Adapter - Storage controller - IDE / eSATA - 480 MBps - USB 2.0 - black

Cables To Go USB 2.0 to IDE/Serial ATA Drive Adapter $28.99 1 1 Year 1 x 40-pin IDC Female Ultra ATA 1 x 44-pin IDC Female Ultra ATA 1 x 7-pin Female Serial ATA 15.20 oz 30504 USB 2.0 to IDE/Serial ATA Drive Adapter 5" 7-Pin M/M Serial ATA Cable 5V 1A/12V 1A Power Supply (supports both SATA Power and 4-Pin Molex Power) Power Cable (for power supply) User Manual The USB 2.0 to IDE or Serial ATA Controller from Cables To Go turns any IDE or SATA drive into a convenient external drive. Simply connect one IDE/ATAPI or SATA-based mass storage device through a USB port to easily transfer files from a computer or notebook, back up files or store large file archives on an external hard drive. The hi-speed USB interface enables easy installation with its plug-and-play design. The adapter supports all existing IDE/ATAPI devices such as Iomega Zip, CD-ROM, CD-RW, DVD-ROM and IDE hard drives, and works with any SATA hard drive from 80GB to 500GB. Cables To Go External Mac PC RoHS Serial ATA Serial/Ultra ATA Controller USB USB 2.0 to IDE/Serial ATA Drive Adapter Ultra ATA Up to 480 Mbps Yes www.cablestogo.com

INLAND PRODUCTS INC / 1 x 3.5" - 1/3H Internal - Serial ATA, USB / 08419 $47.09 INLAND PRODUCTS INC - 1 x 3.5" - 1/3H Internal - Serial ATA, USB - 08419

Transcend 2 TB - 7200 rpm - USB - Serial ATA - 3.5" - External TS2TSJ35T $194.97 Transcend 2 TB - 7200 rpm - USB - Serial ATA - 3.5" - External TS2TSJ35T

Buslink CipherShield CSE-500-U2 500 GB External Hard Drive USB - Serial ATA CSE500U2 $385.05 Buslink CipherShield CSE-500-U2 500 GB External Hard Drive USB - Serial ATA CSE500U2

Transcend StoreJet Hard Drive Enclosure - Storage Enclosure - Serial ATA, USB - External - Silver TS0GSJ25SS $25.75 Transcend StoreJet Hard Drive Enclosure - Storage Enclosure - Serial ATA, USB - External - Silver TS0GSJ25SS

Buffalo 4TB 4 X 1TB Serial ATA Hard Drive Network USB TSXE40TLR5 $611.75 Buffalo 4TB 4 X 1TB Serial ATA Hard Drive Network USB TSXE40TLR5

Buffalo 4TB 4 X 1TB Serial ATA Hard Drive USB Network TSRIX40TLR5 $1507.75 Buffalo 4TB 4 X 1TB Serial ATA Hard Drive USB Network TSRIX40TLR5

Buffalo 4TB 2 X 2TB Serial ATA Hard Drive Network Serial USB TSWX40TLR1 $603.45 Buffalo 4TB 2 X 2TB Serial ATA Hard Drive Network Serial USB TSWX40TLR1

Micronet 2TB - 2 x 1TB Serial ATA Hard Drive - USB, eSATA, FireWire, FireWire DDQ2000 $379.68 Micronet 2TB - 2 x 1TB Serial ATA Hard Drive - USB, eSATA, FireWire, FireWire DDQ2000

Buffalo 4TB 4 X 1TB Serial ATA Hard Drive USB TSX40TLR5 $739.6 Buffalo 4TB 4 X 1TB Serial ATA Hard Drive USB TSX40TLR5

StarTech.com USB 2.0 to eSATA Adapter / Converter - 1 x 7-pin Male Serial ATA USB2ESATA $24.9 StarTech.com USB 2.0 to eSATA Adapter / Converter - 1 x 7-pin Male Serial ATA USB2ESATA

8TB Buffalo 4x2TB Serial ATA Hard Drive Network USB TSXE80TLR5 TS-XE8.0TL/R5 $868.59 8TB Buffalo 4x2TB Serial ATA Hard Drive Network USB TSXE80TLR5 TS-XE8.0TL/R5

8TB Seagate NAS Server 1.2GHz 256MB Ram Serial ATA USB RJ-45 Network ST380005SHA10G-RK $1025.97 8TB Seagate NAS Server 1.2GHz 256MB Ram Serial ATA USB RJ-45 Network ST380005SHA10G-RK

Rocstorage Rocstor Rocbit Fxkt 500GB External Hard Drive 5400RPM USB Serial ATA 2.5" J11FK556 $171.97 Rocstorage Rocstor Rocbit Fxkt 500GB External Hard Drive 5400RPM USB Serial ATA 2.5" J11FK556

Axiom External Hard Drive 2TB 7200RPM USB Serial ATA 3.5" External USBHD35S2TBAX $265.96 Axiom External Hard Drive 2TB 7200RPM USB Serial ATA 3.5" External USBHD35S2TBAX

Seagate Blackarmor NAS 110 Network Storage Server 2TB RJ45 Network Serial ATA USB ST320005MNA10GRK $217.44 Seagate Blackarmor NAS 110 Network Storage Server 2TB RJ45 Network Serial ATA USB ST320005MNA10GRK

MSI STAR-USB3 USB/Serial ATA Combo Adapter $28.99 2 2 x USB 3.0 - USB External 5 Gbps USB 3.0 SuperSpeed STAR-USB3 2-port PCI Express USB Adapter 1 x User Manual 1 x Driver CD 1 x Internal USB 2.0 Cable MSI Micro-Star International Co., Ltd PC PCI Express x1 Plug-in Card STAR-USB3 STAR-USB3 2-port PCI Express USB Adapter USB Adapter www.msicomputer.com

SABRENT SATA-C35U Serial ATA (SATA) to USB 2.0 Cable Converter Adapter $20.99 Type: USB to SATA Specifications: USB 2.0 to Serial ATA (SATA) Cable Connect any device with an SATA Interface to a PC with USB interface Transfer rate supports 1.5Gb/s SATA data rate Complies with USB 2.0 standards Backwards compatible to USB 1.1 standards Complies with SERIAL ATA (ATA) Supports SATA and enhanced SATA hard drives Supports SATA CD-ROM/R/RW DVD-ROM etc. External power adapter for SATA devices Requirements : Windows 98SE/ME/2000/XP/Mac OS X (Driver ONLY necessary for Windows 98SE). Features: Access any 2.5"/3.5"'/5.25" SATA drive through Hi-Speed USB 2.0 port Compatible with any SATA drives of any brand or any size 2A AC power supply to ensure enough power for the most power-consuming drives Plug and Play. Hot swapping Package Contents: Serial ATA (SATA) to USB 2.0 Cable Converter Adapter Power Co...

Mace Macally USB 2.0 External Enclosure - Storage Enclosure - 1 x 3.5" - 1/3H Internal Hot-swappable - USB 2.0, Serial ATA -... $46.75 Mace Macally USB 2.0 External Enclosure - Storage Enclosure - 1 x 3.5" - 1/3H Internal Hot-swappable - USB 2.0, Serial ATA -...

StarTech.com eSATA USB to SATA External HDD Docking Station - Drive Dock - 3.5" - 1/3H Dock , 2.5" - Dock - Serial ATA, USB... $44.32 StarTech.com eSATA USB to SATA External HDD Docking Station - Drive Dock - 3.5" - 1/3H Dock , 2.5" - Dock - Serial ATA, USB...

StarTech.com SATA Hard Drive Enclosure with Built in USB Cable - Storage Enclosure - 1 x 2.5" - Internal - Serial ATA, USB ... $24.85 StarTech.com SATA Hard Drive Enclosure with Built in USB Cable - Storage Enclosure - 1 x 2.5" - Internal - Serial ATA, USB ...

StarTech.com USB to SATA External Hard Drive Enclosure - Storage Enclosure - 1 x 3.5" - 1/3H Internal - Serial ATA, USB - E... $32.27 StarTech.com USB to SATA External Hard Drive Enclosure - Storage Enclosure - 1 x 3.5" - 1/3H Internal - Serial ATA, USB - E...