Rosewill RCW-616 Laptop 2.5" to Desktop 3.5" IDE Hard Drive Adapter Converter

Pros: It's cheap, it works, and it got the job done. See "Other thoughts".

Cons: Not really meant for heavy repeated use, but will last if you take care of it.

Overall Review: This was purchased several years ago for a specific data recovery task off an old laptop, that of course still used an IDE HDD. I did not have a docking station or external enclosure at the time that could handle 2.5" IDE drives, and I wanted something cheap since I figured it would only ever get used a few times before being delegated to the junk box since IDE is dead. I really don't work much with older laptops any longer, but it does come up from time to time, often just for pulling data off dead laptops for transfer to a newer model. It worked wonderfully for the task at hand, and then it got tossed into my toolbox where it sat, only being dug out a few times over the past 4 years for other data recovery needs. I just used it again a few days ago for yet another data recovery situation with an old dead laptop. It still worked great, and it actually reminded me to do this review. With IDE long since abandoned, I would only recommend one of these IF you have the need to connect an old 2.5" IDE HDD to a 3.5" IDE interface, In my case I use it in an old external enclosure. If for some reason you're going to be doing a lot of swapping of old IDE HDDs, such as for data recovery, I suggest a docking station, enclosure, or other USB converter that's a bit more robust. It's held up 4+ years, and it does work, so I would easily recommend this to those who find themselves in a situation requiring such an adapter.

Pros: Nice little adapter for older 2.5 drives.

Cons: Need some technical knowledge or the ability to research. Review by Super-Tech was spot on copy/paste below on pin removal. "Follow these directions: With the adapter in your hand, and the MALE IDE pins facing you (which means the power cable will be on the LEFT FRONT); on the bottom row of pins, going from left to right, count to the ELEVENTH pin and bend it out of the way. Don't cut it off without making sure it fits onto an IDE cable, obviously. If it fits, you're done. Cut it off and you're ready to go."

Pros: Cheap.

Cons: Needs a pin cut off on the 40 pin side for keyed IDE connectors. This is what needs to be done, but do so at your own risk - I'm not responsible for misinterpretation or the wrong pin cut: Looking straight on at the 40 pin header with the power connector on your left, counting from the lower row, right side, cut the 10th pin from the right. This has worked fine on two of these adapters I've purchased.

Pros: Does exactly what it is supposed to, small and easy to handle, Great tool for a computer tech to have at his disposal.

Cons: There is no protection IDE interface pins so they can be esaily bent, they are also brittle and easy to break off ( I noticed this when I was breaking off the keyed pin)

Overall Review: As has been mentioned its not keyed like many of the IDE cables are so either you have to break off 1 pin or you have to find an old cable, also I nothiced that the marker for the #1 pin (a small arrow) is pointed at the 2.5 side, that is also the #1 pin for the 3.5 side, just in case there is any confusion on that

Pros: free shipping and price

Cons: careful about the PIN count. Yes, I did it to myself. I saw the price and read the description- NOT the specs. This little baby will not adapt a 2.5 to a 'standard' IDE. It has 2 too many pins. Newegg does carry the part I need so....

Pros: Been needing to SpinRite a laptop hard drive from a laptop that won't boot from CD or USB. This adapter allowed me to hook up the laptop drive to my test bench desktop and do the surface repair/recovery as I needed. Pretty sturdy, expected this to feel a bit cheaper, but this will take a bit of abuse.

Cons: As others have noted, full set of pins. If you don't have an IDE cable lying around WITHOUT the keypin filled in (I did), then you will probably have to bore a hole into your IDE cable's connector block OR break off the pin on the adapter. How know you've got the right pin... read the Other Thoughts section.

Overall Review: HOW TO KNOW WHICH WAY IS "UP"... 40 Pin end 1st pin *IS* marked on the adapter with a raised triangle along that edge. "Top" has the letters raised saying 2.5" HDD Adapter. The laptop/44 pin side is keyed. The desktop ide/male 40 pin side is not keyed. Desktop 40 pin IDE cables have a red line along the first pin side. The power cable should be on the OPPOSITE side when aligned correctly. As long as you keep in mind that the correct way to plug the adapter into an IDE cable is to keep the power connector opposite the red line/1st pin indicator, you will safely know which pin can be broken off for it to fit on a cable that is keyed. In short... Power connector on adapter opposite end of the red line on IDE cable. Remember that and you're set.

Pros: It worked as designed, low price. Mine appeared to be a little more sturdy than others have reported. The pins are strong and the adapter does not slide off at all.

Cons: I did have to break the extra PIN off like others did. The number 1 pin is harder to find that I would expect.

Overall Review: There is a little white triangle that shows you where the number 1 Pin is located. Line that up with any standard IDE cable. The IDE cable will have a different colored cable for the number 1 Pin. Once you find these you can find the Pin that has to be removed. I used a flathead to bend it back and forth 3 times and it eventually snapped off clean.

Pros: I own a computer repair business. On occasion, I need to copy info and data from laptop hard drives. This device allows me to back data up into my desktop computer.

Cons: A bit flimsy, but for the price, you can always order more.