Docking stations are the cool new way to connect your less frequently used SATA hard drives to your computer: just pop ‘em down into the dock the way you would a Super Nintendo game.
Last month we featured the BlacX line of docking stations, which accommodate 2.5-inch or 3.5-inch drives and optionally sport features like a 4-port USB hub and eSATA connection.
Upping the docking station ante this month is the affectionately named SATA HDD Multi-Function Dock (Product Code: UCABL004500), which offers the following features:
- support for 2.5- and 3.5-inch drives
- USB 2.0 and eSATA connections
- 2-port USB hub
- 4-slot flash card reader (supporting all the popular formats)
That last feature is what differentiates this dock from others, allowing those without a card reader already built into their computer or monitor to ditch an extra peripheral and cable in the process of adding the docking station to their line-up.
The benefit doesn’t come cheap, though, since the device ships from Hong Kong. In fact, at $79 shipped you’re looking at spending about $30 more than the BlacX. Still, with quality portable multi-format card readers going for around $20, that’s not such a bad premium to pay if you need those features.
Currently it’s only available from usb.brando.com.hk (hence the watermark in the image).
Now if only one of these companies could add an iPod dock to the docking station…
