Question HDD Docking station for SSD drive

[grigory]

Hello!

I want to use USB3/SATAIII HDD Docking station for SATA III SSD drive. I've noticed that almost never they write that those are HDD/SSD Docking stations, but just HDD Docking stations. So my question is... Is it 100% certain that those SATAIII HDD Docking stations would be compatible with SATA III SSD Drives?

 

[UsandThem]

Any particular examples you want us to look at?

All of my enclosures/docks I've bought have worked with both HDDs and SSDs, so I imagine that the ones you are looking at do as well.

 

[NewMaxx]

Typically the docks will have a bridge or controller chip the same as you'd find in other devices like enclosures or add-on SATA PCIe cards. For example, the ASMedia 1053E. Dual bay might be the ASM1153E instead. Etc. This might impact output speed as many are just 5 Gbps ("USB 3.0"). If it physically can take a 2.5" HDD it'll likely work with a 2.5" SATA SSD. You do want UASP (SCSI over USB) but just about all devices will support that.

 

[grigory]

Thank you for your replies!

 

[sdifox]

I don't see the diff, sata is sata. Only concern is thickness of the drive. Docks are designed for hdd and your ssd would be a lot thinner. Just be careful when inserting/removing.

 

[KentState]

Some of the docks will have a secondary flap or cutout for a 2.5" drive. For example, I have one of these that can accept either size.

 

[sdifox]

Some of the docks will have a secondary flap or cutout for a 2.5" drive. For example, I have one of these that can accept either size.

View attachment 27767

The ssd is thinner than a 2.5" hdd.

 

[KentState]

The ssd is thinner than a 2.5" hdd.

Not sure why that matters. He just asked about compatibility which docks are. Some have a cutout for a 2.5" which can accept anything from a thick HDD to a slim SSD.

 

[sdifox]

Not sure why that matters. He just asked about compatibility which docks are. Some have a cutout for a 2.5" which can accept anything from a thick HDD to a slim SSD.

The cutouts help align insertion. Lessens the chance of breaking the connector. It just means he has to be more careful when inserting and removing the ssd

 

[mikeford]

Shopping for a sata USB case right now, main issue is versions of SATA have different connectors and 3.5" drives need 12v, 2.5" only need 5v. Minor issue speed of various 3.x USB, but I am guessing primary reason for a external USB is access, not speed. For me I just want an easy way to read or write to a currently non used drive without opening up some system and unplugging one of the drives to use there connection.