If you work with hard drives, e.g., replacing, pulling files off, resurrecting, it would be really great to simply plug in a hard drive into a computer’s USB port without having to crack open a computer or use an external hard drive enclosure that fits the hard drive. Here’s a great $25 solution, a USB universal drive adapter from Newer Technology.

The NewerTech USB 2.0 Universal Drive Adapter implements a bridge between one USB port and one ATA, Serial ATA, or ATAPI based mass storage device port. The USB 2.0 to IDE Drive Adapter turns any ATA or SATA 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 interface provides for easy installation with its Plug and Play design.

Features:

• Compatible with any 2.5″, 3.5″, 5.25″ IDE or SATA device!
• Supports IDE & enhanced IDE 3.5″ internal IDE hard disk
• Supports ATA/ATAPI-6 specification 1.0
• Supports SATA I and SATA II
• USB 2.0 up to 480Mbps transfer speed
• Backwards compatible with USB 1.1
• Plug and Play
• Instruction Manual