Is esata better than usb and if so why? Am considering switching over to esata. Thanks in advance
Suzi,
SATA or eSATA is definitely better.
I have been switching over to SATA drives because of the lower cost and faster transfer rates available when you get one with an eSATA connection cabability.
I have 2 variants - one a true EHD with USB anb eSATA connection ports and a not so true SATA Docking station with USB and eSATA connectors.
You need to get one that comes with a eSATA PCI card that installs in your computer and has a standard SATA connector to the Motherboard. From then on you connect the external drive to the computer via this PCI connector. The connecting cable may come with the unit or you may have to purchase it yourself. TYhis cable takes the place of the standard USB connecting cable. (I leave mine plugged in all the time and simply plug it into the eSATA connector on the EHD/Docking station. Once connected via this route, you have the same transfer rates as an internal hard drive.
The Docking Station lets you purchase another hunk of memory at the marginal cost of the drive itself.
Here is a link to a docking station - local Canadian company, but any reputable computer store should have them or have access to them. -
http://www.shoprbc.com/ca/shop/searchRe ... =&sortDir=
So, for price and performance eSATA is the way to go.