VisionTek Introduces DriveXpander 2.5-inch Drive Expansion Slot Adapter

[btarunr]

VisionTek Products LLC, (VisionTek) http://www.visiontek.com, a leading manufacturer of award-winning, high-performance upgrades and accessories for PCs and Macs, today announced the new VisionTek DriveXpander 2.5" drive expansion slot adapter. Designed to fit any full-sized PCI or PCIe expansion slot, the DriveXpander enables data transfer speeds up to 600MB/s from bare drives with nearly any Windows based PC desktop or OS X based 2006-2012 Mac Pro.



The DriveXpander increases the functionality of a PC or Mac Pro by:

• adding additional storage capacity up to 2TB when internal bays are filled or are not accessible.
• offering quick and easy bare drive status verification.
• providing individual drive access from a storage array with minimal or no system down time.
• enabling removable storage to be added to the rear of a system - especially handy for HTPCs - where it is less noticeable or accessible to unauthorized users.

Add A New Drive in Three Easy Steps
The DriveXpander eliminates the need for an external enclosure or power adapter for truly tool-free and screw-less drive use. After an easy, two minute installation, users can read and write a 2.5" SATA I/II/III hard drive or solid state drive sized 7mm to 9.5mm by simply:

• opening the drive access lever on the DriveXpander,
• gently inserting a drive until resistance is felt,
• and closing the DriveXpander's drive access lever to fully insert and connect drive.

Custom Adapter Assures Perfect Fit with Any Expansion Slot
Unlike other hot-swap drive adapter designs that only work with PCI slots, the DriveXpander includes a custom PCIe slot stability adapter for a snug, secure fit on either expansion slot type.

Patented Design Assures Trouble-Free Use
The DriveXpander features a patented non-scratch SATA (NSS) connector that makes a direct connection with a drive's connector leads so users can install and eject a drive over 50,000 times with confidence. A perforated backplate and open cage design also ensures trouble-free drive use by providing effective passive drive cooling.

Lockable Access Panel Prevents Drive Theft
To prevent unauthorized removal of an installed drive, the DriveXpander features a special shaped key lock to provide peace-of-mind long-term drive installation.

Pricing & Availability
The $19.99 MSRP DriveXpander includes all data and power cables required for Plug and Play operation and is available immediately directly from VisionTek, select e-tailers such as Amazon, Tiger Direct, and Dell; and national distributors such as Ingram Micro and D&H.

View at TechPowerUp Main Site

 

[zo0lykas]

at least some1 created useful think

 

[Wark0]

Created ?
http://www.carputer-world.com/2010/09/27/new-product-hot-swap-hddssd-pci-bay/
2010...

 

[silapakorn]

Because reaching the back of the case is an easy job for everyone. Yay!

 

[PLAfiller]

Could be usefull for people with full-sized PCI slots and free one's. Mainly 7/7+ cases. Usually on mATX/minITX everything is taken. Nice to have the option though.

 

[Jorge]

If you need to open the case to install this device...why not just add a normal SSD or HDD? As noted accessing the back of most desktop type PCs is not convenient.

 

[Octavean]

Yeah, rear entry is unpleasant to say the least.

I'd much rather have a front mounted dual bay hot-swap rack like this:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...dual_bay_hot-swap_rack-_-17-998-228-_-Product

Front mount just makes everything easier.

 

[Sasqui]

Yeah, rear entry is unpleasant to say the least.

I'd much rather have a front mounted dual bay hot-swap rack like this:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...dual_bay_hot-swap_rack-_-17-998-228-_-Product

Front mount just makes everything easier.

Though a little inconvenient, gotta give them credit for originality, particularly in SSF PC's.

I've got a 5.25" drive bay that accepts both a 3.5" drive and a 2.5" drive (SATA and both at the same time), it's amazing. Plus 2 USB 3.0 front plugs. I move HDD's around a lot for backups, so it's gotten some good use.

 

[PLAfiller]

Yeah, rear entry is unpleasant to say the least.

Front mount just makes everything easier.

I am sorry man, I just can't .......THAT'S WHAT SHE SAID!

 

[TRWOV]

I have had one of these for who knows how long from some generic chinese brand although the Visiontek looks prettier and is hotswap (mine you have to take it out of the case to swap drives). I actually used it on my old Conroe865PE machine before consolidating all my storage on a single 2TB drive (I had a 300GB, 250GB, 160GB, 80GB 3.5s plus another 160GB 2.5" on the adapter)

 

[ypsylon]

Hmm a bit puzzling add-on.

Today, most cases have plenty of 2.5" options. Either designed bays or via converters, or even USB. One place where I can see it being useful is - paradox - rack mount 19" 2U+. Often doing more things at the back than in front of the rack and to be honest server cases are not built with ergonomic in mind.

Option for quick plug and play without need of classic RAID backplane or removing case from rack it's good thing and 20$ for a server build that's totally unnoticeable.

OK it's also good thing for Media Center case given full height slot to connect it.

 

[TheDeeGee]

Would have been cooler if it plugged into a PCI-E Slot, so the SSD would be powered thru that.

 

[Octavean]

Would have been cooler if it plugged into a PCI-E Slot, so the SSD would be powered thru that.

I like the way you think.

Dual and quad slot with RAID via a PCIe controller would be nice,......

 

[xBruce88x]

I think a lot of people are misunderstanding this add-on card. Yea... its a bit of an ... inconvenience to have to reach around to the back of the computer, but its easier than having to pull off the side panel if you want to add in another drive, or if you have a smaller case or case that isn't very friendly for using a traditional front mounted hot swap bay. Sure its not for everyone but i think it still will have its uses. no its not a controller card, but a mount that would provide space for a 2.5in drive that would otherwise just be an empty spot for a PCI card. its also less ghetto than having to rig a mount for an SSD or something in a case that otherwise doesn't have a mount for one. yea you could use a 3.5 to 2.5 bay adapter but some people have card bays or fan controllers in the way. Personally I think this could be a useful device for certain builds or situations. it's not meant to add extra ports or function as a RAID controller, but it's really just to add physical room for a computer that already has the ports and such, but no room in the case to properly mount a 2.5in drive.