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The install was not as simple as I would have liked, almost entirely because of access issues: getting to the SATA connectors and then routing the cable through the computer to the back panel.
But it wasn't too bad and, once done, everything worked flawlessly. No functional hassles at all. This is a VERY inexpensive way to get more high-speed HD ports and worked very well for me. The only downside is inherent to eSATA, which is that the connector does not seat firmly and can easily be disconnected. A livable limitation.
I would recommend this item to a friend!Regarding installation, this was so much easier than I had anticpated. The included instructions were very clear and made step-by-step installation easy and relatively fast. I had the whole thing done in a half-hour, and I was working slowly and carefully.
I have not fully explored usage yet, but the tests I did had my external drives mounting exactly as I'd expect from an eSATA connection. The previous reviewer is correct, maximum total cable length must be observed. That would be the only drawback to this device - you have a half-meter of internal cabling that must always be taken into account.
The only cons I would mention, and they aren't related to this product but rather to usage with certain Mac Pro models - no port multiplier support and no hot swap support. Please research this with your particular Mac Pro and your intended usage to make sure this will work for you.
For my particular usage, this item was perfect. Easily worth the money and time to install.
I would recommend this item to a friend!Like another reviewer, it worked great for a few days and then started failing all over the place - mostly disk disconnections. Thinking it was the drive enclosure (also from macsales) I borrowed my buddies enclosure to rule it out. That also had massive disconnections.
I then noticed that this is really just an extender cable with an eSATA connector at the end. So, it is really a SATA connection from the computers standpoint.
SATA cables can only have lengths up to 1 meter. I had known this and bought a 1 meter cable with my enclosure. But it then dawned on me that when the 1 meter external cable is added to the extender cable from macsales I was, of course, over the 1 meter limit! Doh! I replaced the external 1 meter cables with 0.5 meter cables and all has been well for a year now.
Bottom line for me is that this works great - as long as you have a 0.5 meter cable or less to connect it to your external hard drives.
I would recommend this item to a friend!The port bracket itself does feel a bit on the thin side perhaps, and it did pop loose on me after installation. I reassembled it, tightened the bracket retainer a bit better, and all is well ever since. But really, I believe this piece of the assembly could be a bit more robust given the Mac Pro's bracket retention method.
Functionality is exactly as described, and works well with the aforementioned Mercury drive enclosure and a second single-disk eSATA drive.
I would recommend this item to a friend!
