SATA; eSATA; SATA-2

I'm going to post this question here, 'cause probably everyone but me knows the answer!

I have seen the terms SATA; eSATA; SATA-2 used in reference to Drive connections. Can someone please explain the difference and if they are interchangable with a common connector?

Thanks

idahjo said:

I'm going to post this question here, 'cause probably everyone but me knows the answer!

I have seen the terms SATA; eSATA; SATA-2 used in reference to Drive connections. Can someone please explain the difference and if they are interchangable with a common connector?

Thanks

Click to expand...

SATA is serial ATA, Standard connectivity for most hard drives and optical drives - 3rd picture
eSATA is an external Serial ATA device, hard drive or optical, not really mainstream, network drives tend to be more popular. 1st picture
SATA-2 is the next generation of Serial ATA and is pretty much the exact same as SATA but a bit different, just cable speed and design. 2nd picture

and by common connector, can you elaborate what connector you are referring to, i assume its IDE, which would be this > http://amigakit.leamancomputing.com/catalog/images/cable-ide.jpg

"and by common connector, can you elaborate what connector you are referring to, i assume its IDE, which would be this > http://amigakit.leamancomputing.com/.../cable-ide.jpg "

What I was referring to was a connector that two or more of them would fit into. For instance the first picture is obviousaly different than the second and third. However, the second and third cables are the same.

So, I would deduce that the eSATA (1) uses the straight (in line) connector.
And, (2-3) use the L-shaped connector. As they use the same connector, can the two devices [SATA or SATA-2] be interchanged?

"and by common connector, can you elaborate what connector you are referring to, i assume its IDE, which would be this > http://amigakit.leamancomputing.com/.../cable-ide.jpg "

What I was referring to was a connector that two or more of them would fit into. For instance the first picture is obviousaly different than the second and third. However, the second and third connectors are the same. [e(external)SATA?]

So, I would deduce that the eSATA (1) uses the straight (in line) connector.
And, (2-3) use the L-shaped connector. As they use the same connector, can the two devices [SATA or SATA-2] be interchanged?

No. They are the same, it is just that the red ones are keyed. If you look closely, they are the same type at least.

~Lordbob

lordbob75 said:

No. They are the same, it is just that the red ones are keyed. If you look closely, they are the same type at least.

~Lordbob

Click to expand...

A close study of the photos appears that the SATA (1) has a relief molded into it for a keyway.... If that is so, then they all three will plug into the same [say, SATA Hard-drive for sake of conversation] and the drive will function. Transfer speed being the only variable between the three?

Thanks for the help!

idahjo said:

lordbob75 said:

No. They are the same, it is just that the red ones are keyed. If you look closely, they are the same type at least.

~Lordbob

Click to expand...

A close study of the photos appears that the SATA (1) has a relief molded into it for a keyway.... If that is so, then they all three will plug into the same [say, SATA Hard-drive for sake of conversation] and the drive will function. Transfer speed being the only variable between the three?

Thanks for the help!

Click to expand...

pretty much, its the function between eSata and SATA1&2 eSata is specifically for external hard drives, some externals support all three, with the caddy being the common connector.
look at this for example >> http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/Icybox-IB-390St-US-B-Black-35-SATA-HDD-with-USB-pluseSATA