2007-07-26 02:47:47 · 8 answers · asked by gorio228 1 in Computers & Internet ➔ Hardware ➔ Other - Hardware
The difference is in the interface from the enclosure to the hard drive. The SATA drive (assuming SATA2) will give you a much better throughput all else considered equal (cache, rotational speed). The SATA interface is also quickly becoming the industry standard. I would assume that the interface between the enclosure and your computer is USB so as long as your USB interface can handle the throughput, the SATA option will be your best bet.
If you are looking for a good deal on an external hard drive, do some searching on www.techbargains.com. It's a good resource for low priced goods.
Good Luck.
2007-07-26 02:55:31 · answer #1 · answered by Dilbert's Desk 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Basic differences are
1) Speed (150mbps (SATA) vs 100/133mbps (PATA))
2) Air flow (large IDE cable vs thin SATA)
3) Hot swappable (SATA)
4) Newer technology with future speed increases promised.
SATA (Serial-ATA) is newer and faster than the Ultra ATA (which, for the most part is a marketing ploy of the acronym ATA). SATA weighs in a 150Mbytes/s burst while the normal ATA hits 133Mbytes/s. In everyday life, the speeds are nowhere near that however SATA is typically faster
SATA drives are designed to reduce the bottleneck between the CPU, PCI and other components which trade data much faster.Present ATA rating is 150 where as ATA 133 is the fastest of the IDE drves.
Most new Motherboards offer connections to both.
Also ATA 300 SATA drives are supposed to be availible soon if not presently.You should realize that you may not have a real noticable difference in a machine between ATA 133 IDE and ATA 150 SATA the difference is negligible.
2007-07-26 02:57:40 · answer #2 · answered by askicode 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
They are different types of connectors. IDE is the older (and slower) of the two. Since this is a portable drive, I am assuming that you will connect it to the PC by USB. In that case, go with the SATA drive.
2007-07-26 02:51:22 · answer #3 · answered by dewcoons 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
SATA is the better option it is designed to be hot-swappable.
And is also faster and newer (cheaper) than IDE. Large IDE drives tend to cost 33% more than the equivalent SATA.
The smaller SATA cable size is designed to allow for better cooling of the hard drive.
2007-07-26 02:55:54 · answer #4 · answered by Sgur Uran 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
SATA is faster, but you won't notice any difference in any normal application.
IDE is older, so is cheaper. Also, adapters for IDE drives are cheaper. Also, in my case I already have lots of assorted gadgets that connect directly to IDE (DTT tuner, external box, USB adapter) and can just plug it in to one of my older computers if I need to transfer files for some reason.
So the answer is, the manufacturers want us to 'upgrade' to SATA, but I'm resisting it (although my and my wife's laptops both have Sata).
2007-07-26 02:59:01 · answer #5 · answered by sotires 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
SATA is the newer technology and is faster than IDE. IDE tops out at 133Mbps and SATA starts at 150Mbps.
2007-07-26 02:50:08 · answer #6 · answered by Yoi_55 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
SATA is a newer tecnology than IDE.
SATA is faster but more expensive
2007-07-26 02:52:40 · answer #7 · answered by ManWithoutAnAnswer 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sata offers higher speeds than IDE.
e.g 7200rpm over 4800rpm
Plus bigger cache
2007-07-26 02:50:17 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋