After previously trying out and liking the versatile UNITEK 3 Port USB 3.0 Hub with Card Reader, I was anxious to try out their Aluminum USB 3.0 to SATA Hard Drive Docking Station with USB and SD Card Reader.

Like that other product, this docking station combines multiple functions into one unit, not only taking up just a single USB port, but also providing you with access to two USB ports in return in addition to its other features.

Feature-wise, you get a docking station where you can plug in bare 2.5″ or 3.5″ SATA I – III hard drives and SSDs up to 8TB at 5Gbp/s, an SD/SDHC/SDXC slot supporting cards up to 2TB, and two USB ports suitable for both data transfer and charging, the latter at 2.4A for even the most demanding devices, like larger tablets. This is all made possible through the dock’s single USB connection and use of the included 12V/3A AC power supply. While by its nature this is not a portable docking solution, its compact frame takes up little desk space.

The docking station is backwards compatible with USB 1.1 and 2.0 devices, and is of course driver-free and completely plug and play on most Windows-, Macintosh-, and Linux-based systems.

This is definitely a versatile device at a reasonable price point. Even if you’ll rarely use one of its functions, there are several others that can help prove its value.

Pluses:

• Clever combination of features
• Can charge multiple devices at once over USB, even larger devices like iPads
• Excellent performance
• Discrete on/off switch
• Automatic sleep mode after 30 minutes of inactivity for increased power efficiency

 

Minuses:

•  AC adapter wall wart is obnoxiously long and bulky

 

Summary:
Another versatile and value-packed multi-function device from Unitek.

Thanks to Unitek for the review unit.