I have to agree. Why isn't Type-C used and then provided with a traditional connection for the other end? I have a single device I use with the Micro-B connector and I refuse to ever get another. I fear losing the cable since I don't want to pay for replacements to what is effectively a unique cable because of its unpopularity rather than a widely used standard.
How can we be certain that TRIM is supported and passed to the SSD? I've read that adapters even with UASP do not pass the TRIM command properly. Something to do with UNMAP command not being translated over USB even when talking UASP.
The research I did a year old lead me to conclude that external SSD TRIM was only possible over eSATA connection or Firewire.
So I need some proof that TRIM is now possible over USB.
The 'proof' that TRIM is now possible over USB are the last two screenshots that attempt to trigger TRIM - one that succeeds, the other that doesn't. The one that succeeds is definitely working because TRIMcheck confirms. The one that doesn't succeed is declared as NOT WORKING (or not triggered yet) by TRIMcheck.
Ganesh, Okay I'll accept that we can trust TRIMcheck. I guess I just had it so cemented in my brain that TRIM via USB was not possible and I thought it would never ever work because I thought there was some sort of USB protocol limitation that was not possible to ever fix.
It got to be so bad that I was so ready to upgrade my laptop to a newer one with USB 3.1 and Thunderbolt just so that I could properly run external SSD drives. I guess I can hold on to my Thinkpad T440s for a while longer. I just ordered two Inateck FE2010 enclosures.
galfert, I specifically mention that there are issues with the FE2010 that make it difficult to recommend - I am not sure why you want to take the risk. If you want something with TRIM functionality and very reliable, choose either of these two along with a Type-C to Type-A adapter:
In fact, I would actually recommend that Satechi unit more because the current firmware itself has TRIM passthrough. For the StarTech unit, you have to get one with the newer firmware (and there is no guarantee of that), and they have not updated their product page with the new firmware download link yet.
Ganesh, I understand the risks you mentioned. Crossing my fingers that my USB host doesn't cause it to hang or freeze. If I have problems I'll just shelve it and periodically look for firmware updates.
The Santechi looks nice. I think I'll get one of those too.
I would love to see some information on system CPU utilization while transferring. Traditionally USB has higher CPU overhead compared to Firewire or SATA, is this still the case?
I have the Inateck FE2003 with a Samsung EVO 850 as the boot drive on my iMac (connected via USB-3). I say this because IMHO it might be a pretty good choice compared to both the two options in this review. I've never had problems with it over maybe a year. (Though I have no idea whether it passes through TRIM or SMART --- certainly on OSX it doesn't appear to.)
I get about 400MB/s when copying a large file (ie 200MB/s read, 200MB/s write) which I think one can hardly complain about, it runs cool, AND it comes with a booster power supply if I need it (eg for use on USB2), though the combination of this controller and EVO 850 1TB seem to run fine on USB3 bus power). And costs only $13 on Amazon.
"Any difference in power consumption for the same access trace between two different units is down to the storage bridge itself "
-- Not necessarily -- there are also performance differences which cause the SSD to the same amount work, but in less time, which means higher read/write speeds and thus higher average power usage with SSD's, so yeah some of that increased power is from the drive itself. I think it might be more useful to show the total amount of power, in Joules, although even then it won't be a 100% accurate comparison, but getting better than that would be very different as you'd have to sample on both sides of the adapter and subtract the drive power use.
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valinor89 - Friday, October 21, 2016 - link
USB 3.0 Micro-B is an abomination that should have no place on new products.I know, you can still use usb2.0 with the microB and all that, but really, people that buy this adapter will want to use the usb3 speeds.
Thrawn - Monday, October 24, 2016 - link
I have to agree. Why isn't Type-C used and then provided with a traditional connection for the other end? I have a single device I use with the Micro-B connector and I refuse to ever get another. I fear losing the cable since I don't want to pay for replacements to what is effectively a unique cable because of its unpopularity rather than a widely used standard.galfert - Friday, October 21, 2016 - link
How can we be certain that TRIM is supported and passed to the SSD? I've read that adapters even with UASP do not pass the TRIM command properly. Something to do with UNMAP command not being translated over USB even when talking UASP.The research I did a year old lead me to conclude that external SSD TRIM was only possible over eSATA connection or Firewire.
So I need some proof that TRIM is now possible over USB.
ganeshts - Friday, October 21, 2016 - link
The 'proof' that TRIM is now possible over USB are the last two screenshots that attempt to trigger TRIM - one that succeeds, the other that doesn't. The one that succeeds is definitely working because TRIMcheck confirms. The one that doesn't succeed is declared as NOT WORKING (or not triggered yet) by TRIMcheck.What further proof do you want?
galfert - Friday, October 21, 2016 - link
Ganesh,Okay I'll accept that we can trust TRIMcheck. I guess I just had it so cemented in my brain that TRIM via USB was not possible and I thought it would never ever work because I thought there was some sort of USB protocol limitation that was not possible to ever fix.
It got to be so bad that I was so ready to upgrade my laptop to a newer one with USB 3.1 and Thunderbolt just so that I could properly run external SSD drives. I guess I can hold on to my Thinkpad T440s for a while longer. I just ordered two Inateck FE2010 enclosures.
Thank you for your follow-up
ganeshts - Friday, October 21, 2016 - link
galfert, I specifically mention that there are issues with the FE2010 that make it difficult to recommend - I am not sure why you want to take the risk. If you want something with TRIM functionality and very reliable, choose either of these two along with a Type-C to Type-A adapter:http://www.anandtech.com/show/10708/satechi-and-st...
In fact, I would actually recommend that Satechi unit more because the current firmware itself has TRIM passthrough. For the StarTech unit, you have to get one with the newer firmware (and there is no guarantee of that), and they have not updated their product page with the new firmware download link yet.
galfert - Sunday, October 23, 2016 - link
Ganesh,I understand the risks you mentioned. Crossing my fingers that my USB host doesn't cause it to hang or freeze. If I have problems I'll just shelve it and periodically look for firmware updates.
The Santechi looks nice. I think I'll get one of those too.
Thanks!
Thanks!
jabber - Friday, October 21, 2016 - link
I have a couple of the previous gen Inateck 2.5" USB3.0 caddys and they have been superb. Good transfer rates and nice to use.cruzinforit - Friday, October 21, 2016 - link
I have the anker branded version of the UA1001, I use it with my BD-ROM drive, since my case doesn't have an 5 1/4" bay. Works perfectly.cosmotic - Friday, October 21, 2016 - link
I would love to see some information on system CPU utilization while transferring. Traditionally USB has higher CPU overhead compared to Firewire or SATA, is this still the case?jabber - Monday, October 24, 2016 - link
Have you just woken up from the year 2003 or something? ;-)name99 - Wednesday, October 26, 2016 - link
I have the Inateck FE2003 with a Samsung EVO 850 as the boot drive on my iMac (connected via USB-3). I say this because IMHO it might be a pretty good choice compared to both the two options in this review. I've never had problems with it over maybe a year. (Though I have no idea whether it passes through TRIM or SMART --- certainly on OSX it doesn't appear to.)I get about 400MB/s when copying a large file (ie 200MB/s read, 200MB/s write) which I think one can hardly complain about, it runs cool, AND it comes with a booster power supply if I need it (eg for use on USB2), though the combination of this controller and EVO 850 1TB seem to run fine on USB3 bus power).
And costs only $13 on Amazon.
https://www.amazon.com/Inateck-Aluminum-Enclosure-...
extide - Wednesday, October 26, 2016 - link
"Any difference in power consumption for the same access trace between two different units is down to the storage bridge itself "-- Not necessarily -- there are also performance differences which cause the SSD to the same amount work, but in less time, which means higher read/write speeds and thus higher average power usage with SSD's, so yeah some of that increased power is from the drive itself. I think it might be more useful to show the total amount of power, in Joules, although even then it won't be a 100% accurate comparison, but getting better than that would be very different as you'd have to sample on both sides of the adapter and subtract the drive power use.