[malloc]

Hello!

So I have recently replace my Inspiron n5110 hdd with ssd, but I'd still like to use my old hdd for data storage. I googled around for a while but I couldn't find out which was faster: outer esata port or optic sata?
So should I get a hdd dock that connects through esata or an hdd caddy? Mobility is not important, since I only use data on my old hdd at home.

Thank you,
malloc

Edited by malloc, 06 August 2012 - 01:23 AM.

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Hi malloc

Both have the USB and esata option http://www.tigerdire...3052&CatId=2783 or http://www.newegg.co...N82E16817392016 esata is the faster option.

NB: Can you please check the types of ports that the notebook has for us as I do not see esata in the user manual (2 X USB and a IEEE 1394 connector)

[phillpower2]

Hi malloc

Both have the USB and esata option http://www.tigerdire...3052&CatId=2783 or http://www.newegg.co...N82E16817392016 esata is the faster option.

NB: Can you please check the types of ports that the notebook has for us as I do not see esata in the user manual (2 X USB and a IEEE 1394 connector)

[malloc]

Thank you for you reply!
There is a usb/esata combo port, what ever that means. ( http://www.notebookr...ure.asp?f=58394 - it's pretty much the same machine I have)

I thought about something like this: http://www.newmodeus...products_id=375 or, if (external) esata, then maybe this: http://www.amazon.co...n/dp/B001A4HAFS

[phillpower2]

You are welcome

Searching on google for the Inspiron n5100 returns the result shown @ http://support.dell....en/i5100-om.pdf can you let us know if it is the correct notebook please, see pages 20 - 23 and 24.

Regarding the two options you may have, if you do not use the optical drive that is fine for choosing the internal HDD it would however limit your options, as you have said mobility is not an issue but if you needed to travel and use the notebook would you be likely to need a second internal HDD or an optical drive that would allow you to play media/games.

[malloc]

Ou god I am a great idiot. I'm sorry for wasting your time and causing trouble - my laptop model is inspiron n5110 not n5100. I'm sorry for my stupid mistake.
Here is the documentation I found: http://support.euro....en/sm/index.htm

Again, sorry for the mistake.

[phillpower2]

No worries

If the specs at the attached link http://www.cnet.com/...7-35127205.html match yours then esata is your best option if you wish to keep your present optical drive, imagine the hassle if you needed to reinstall your OS without a DVD player.

[malloc]

But which one of those options provides faster data exchange speeds? As I understand usb 3 is faster than esata, right? But if esata is about same speed as my optical drive connection, maybe I should get a dock with usb 3.0 connector instead?

[phillpower2]

Specs change all the time but esata is allegedly still faster than USB 3.0, it is not as versatile though, USB 3.0 is backwards compatible and so your hardware could be used on most modern systems, the same cannot be said for the esata type device as they are not a standard port on many computers, a video for you