Joined on 01/29/07
Great Cable
Pros: Its compact and works as advertised, even on an external HDD... which is a rare thing for these retractable cables... most of them are 4 pin mini-B's!!! It is of sturdy construction, and has abrasion resistant rubber cabling, and rewinds its self near perfectly every time.
Cons: I wish the lock positions were at shorter intervals, but you really do not need to lock the cable in place, the spring does not pull hard enough to pull the respective plugs from there sockets. It is a bit pricey, a 1' 5 pin standard cable is $2, and is actually less bulky... (the 1' cables are more like 8"-10")... but then again if you need more than a foot, this thing is your ticket.
Overall Review: Other reviewers have complained of the cable getting tangled. This is from pulling it out from only one side, you have to pull both out at the same time. If it does get tangled, you can get it untangled, and completely extend it and let it retract back in... wahla, its fixed.
Linux Users Beware
Pros: fast switching, hot keys are nice.
Cons: Fedora Corde 6 does not recognize the front USB hub. This was a huge issue for me because I refuse to go back to a ball mouse. It also did not show the Fedora systems as being connected via the front LED lights, but it will let you switch to them. I switched this unit to a set of old PCs I use at file and print servers. They have 2000 on them. Two of them do not recognize a key board upon POST, and the systems will not boot.
Overall Review: It switched between XP and Vista quite nicely... So if you stick with new microsoft OS's and are not going between dinasour machines this switch will work for you.
Perfect
Pros: Its short, its more compact than retractable cables, it fits in a bag... without being coiled, its to short to get tangled up, it is well, Perfect
Cons: 0
Overall Review: If you want a short cable for carrying in a laptop bag, or anything really, buy this... come on, its only $2 *** If you are crafty and move from desktops to laptops like me, this cable is perfect for mounting a HDD to the lid of the laptop with Velcro =)... you do not have to hold the hard drive, and the cable is not all over the place. -cheers
Runs Like a Champ
Pros: Used this integrated board for a car PC, it works great, 512MB RAM and XP Pro Runs like a champ on it.
Cons: Absolutely ZERO
Overall Review: It has yet to over heat despite being built into the dash board of a car in Texas heat.
Best External Case Available
Pros: I am a contract programmer/network security specialist and I carry this thing around with me 24/7 365 days a year, the drive does not rattle in the case like so many others do, and the finish is bullet proof as far as I can tell. The interface works with all unix/linux variants I have found, as well as any Windows OS above 98 without drivers (thats kinda standard I know) but the UNIX is important to me and I have run across more than a few that have issues. Someone didnt like the esata dock a few reviews back, I can guarantee you it is not!!! The manufacturer stands by there product but it does not really need to because it is invincible .
Cons: Newegg is out of stock and I could use three or four more of them
Overall Review: fits nicely in pants and jacket pockets. The cords are a bit confusing, you do not need the extra usb connected. Any usb to mini usb cable works quite well. Data transfer with the cable it comes with seems to be a bit faster though... its lightening fast.