Antec does not include an installation manual with the Easy SATA, and it is not required. The device is installed into the computer case like any other 5.25” drive bay by screwing it into place. Four screws, two on each side, are usually sufficient to secure the device.
Usage of the Easy SATA is as simple as plugging the device to a free SATA power cable and connecting it with a SATA cable to a free internal SATA port. The eSATA port of the Easy SATA also requires a free internal SATA port, if ever it will be used. As such, the Easy SATA requires two internal SATA ports in total.
Although no manual is available with the Easy SATA, Antec has a mechanical drawing that explains a bit its functioning. The drawing is available on Antec’s website:
Link: Download “Mechanical Drawing”
The inserted hard drive sticks out by about 1.5 cm, which may interfere with the door of a computer case.
In order to install a 3.5” SATA hard drive into the device, the front bezel button should be depressed to release the locking mechanism and to avoid breaking the locking tab when the hard drive is inserted. Once the hard drive is inserted, the button is released and the hard drive should be locked into place and plugged into the connectors. If you release the button a bit earlier, you might hear the faint click of the locking mechanism. The hard drive cannot be fully inserted into the Easy SATA; approximately 1.5 cm of the hard drive will be exposed. This is essential for removing the hard drive seeing as the Easy SATA does not have an eject button.
The hard drive is simply inserted into the device.
Seeing as the Antec Easy SATA has a black matte finish, it should fit the style of most computer cases. In this review, the device was installed into an Antec NSK3480 mini tower case, and its bezel flushes well with the rest of the front bezel of the case.
The Easy SATA easily matches the design of most cases.
In order to remove the hard drive from the Easy SATA, the front button must be depressed. Once the locking mechanism is released, the hard drive is grasped and pulled outwards. The small amount of exposed hard drive is enough for most people to get a good grip. People with larger fingers might have some difficulty because only 1.5 cm of the hard drive is exposed. A good grip is also essential because the hard drive connects quite tightly to the Easy SATA. Antec should consider an eject button that releases the hard drive from the power and SATA connectors in their future hot swap hard drive caddies.
Elsewhere, the bezel of the Easy SATA is susceptible to being scratched when inserting a hard drive. Given the front bezel’s grainy texture, scratches are not extensive but are noticeable when examined closely. Although two small embossed vertical stripes on the front bezel attempt to not let the hard drive touch the bezel, the small screws on top of the hard drive were still able to reach it. A smooth matte finish or larger vertical stripes might have avoided this.
The hard drive is exposed a bit to allow gripping it during removal.
Installed hard drives are recognized by Windows Vista, and drivers are installed automatically, which may require a system reboot. In order to support the hot swap capability, your system may need the appropriate south bridge drivers and the Easy SATA should be plugged to an AHCI-enabled SATA port.
Usage of the Easy SATA is as simple as plugging the device to a free SATA power cable and connecting it with a SATA cable to a free internal SATA port. The eSATA port of the Easy SATA also requires a free internal SATA port, if ever it will be used. As such, the Easy SATA requires two internal SATA ports in total.
Although no manual is available with the Easy SATA, Antec has a mechanical drawing that explains a bit its functioning. The drawing is available on Antec’s website:
Link: Download “Mechanical Drawing”
The inserted hard drive sticks out by about 1.5 cm, which may interfere with the door of a computer case.
In order to install a 3.5” SATA hard drive into the device, the front bezel button should be depressed to release the locking mechanism and to avoid breaking the locking tab when the hard drive is inserted. Once the hard drive is inserted, the button is released and the hard drive should be locked into place and plugged into the connectors. If you release the button a bit earlier, you might hear the faint click of the locking mechanism. The hard drive cannot be fully inserted into the Easy SATA; approximately 1.5 cm of the hard drive will be exposed. This is essential for removing the hard drive seeing as the Easy SATA does not have an eject button.
The hard drive is simply inserted into the device.
Seeing as the Antec Easy SATA has a black matte finish, it should fit the style of most computer cases. In this review, the device was installed into an Antec NSK3480 mini tower case, and its bezel flushes well with the rest of the front bezel of the case.
The Easy SATA easily matches the design of most cases.
In order to remove the hard drive from the Easy SATA, the front button must be depressed. Once the locking mechanism is released, the hard drive is grasped and pulled outwards. The small amount of exposed hard drive is enough for most people to get a good grip. People with larger fingers might have some difficulty because only 1.5 cm of the hard drive is exposed. A good grip is also essential because the hard drive connects quite tightly to the Easy SATA. Antec should consider an eject button that releases the hard drive from the power and SATA connectors in their future hot swap hard drive caddies.
Elsewhere, the bezel of the Easy SATA is susceptible to being scratched when inserting a hard drive. Given the front bezel’s grainy texture, scratches are not extensive but are noticeable when examined closely. Although two small embossed vertical stripes on the front bezel attempt to not let the hard drive touch the bezel, the small screws on top of the hard drive were still able to reach it. A smooth matte finish or larger vertical stripes might have avoided this.
The hard drive is exposed a bit to allow gripping it during removal.
Installed hard drives are recognized by Windows Vista, and drivers are installed automatically, which may require a system reboot. In order to support the hot swap capability, your system may need the appropriate south bridge drivers and the Easy SATA should be plugged to an AHCI-enabled SATA port.
