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...

Specifications

*USB 2.0 to ATA connection (2 sided, for 2.5" and 3.5" drives), and a SATA connection
*Connect any device with an ATA or SATA interface to a Mac® or PC with USB interface
*Transfer rate approx. 480 Mbps (USB 2.0)
*Complies with USB 2.0 standards
*Backwards compatible to USB 1.1 standards
*Complies with ATA/ATAPI-66 Spe. V1.0
*Compatible with SATA-I and SATA-II
*Simple to install
*Supports IDE and enhanced IDE hard drives
*Supports ATA/ATAPI CD-ROM/R/RW DVD-ROM and more
*Heavy Duty, UL listed, 2.0A external 110C-240V autoswitching AC adapter provides drive power

Compatibility
Macintosh Requirements:
Mac OS 9.2 or higher, including Mac OS X

Windows Requirements:
Windows 2000, XP, or Vista (No drivers required, plug and play!)

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!

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

Overclocking: N/A

Value: 4 out of 5