14 DAY TRIAL // Hardware has been getting more and more hybridized lately, so it isn't too shocking to learn that Addonics has launched something half-way between a connector and a storage unit. Then again, it would be more accurate to say that Addonics has revealed a couple of somethings, since two mSATA SSD and CFast card writers have been unveiled.
Described as internal and external reader/writer docks, they can interface with super-thin mSATA solid-state drives (SSDs) and CFast media flash cards.
They bear the part numbers MSCFAEU3 and MSCFASA. The former is the external model, while the other goes inside a 3.5-inch drive bay of a desktop case.
The latter, the Addonics Internal Reader/Writer, connects via a SATA port or SuperSpeed USB 3.0 to the motherboard.
Both interfaces have enough bandwidth to allow whatever storage devices are connected to it to work at their best.
After all, the top write speed is of 5,000 Mbps (USB 3.0) and 6,000 Mbps (SATA/eSATA). Not something easily reached even by NAND Flash-based file holders.
For ease of use, Addonics includes a pair of adapters for the mSATA SSD and CFast card, to turn them into a 1.8-inch micro SATA SSD. It makes it more straightforward to insert in the open slot, or slots in the case of the dual-slot one.
The Addonics External Reader/Writer also has the 1.8-inch adapter, but looks a lot better than the other one, seeing as how it has an actual chassis. It runs on USB power, but can link via eSATA/USB combo port too. No software is needed for its operation.
The new products can read standard CF media in addition to CFast and SSDs, and they can handle hard disk drives as well, on any Windows operating system, Mac OS X and above, and Linux kernel 2.4. No pricing information has been released so far.
