Help identifying my ExpressCard Slot + deciding between eSATA and USB 2.0

Hey all,

I'm currently looking to buy an internal hard drive to put in an enclosure and use as an external hard drive. I've been considering whether to use the eSATA connection or USB 2.0, and the difference in file transfer rates is great enough to choose eSATA. The equipment I'm thinking about are:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817182180

and

http://www.amazon.com/Western-Digital-Caviar-Green-WD10EADS/dp/B001IEZX3G/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1243930392&sr=8-1

My ThinkPad has an ExpressCard/PC Card slot. Is this it?


I've never used it before. What are those two tablet pen-like things that pop out to the right of the slot?

Now my main question is, what ExpressCard to eSATA adapter should I buy? I'm trying to find a quality one for cheap. Would this do?
http://cgi.ebay.com/ExpressCard-34-54-Express-Card-to-ESATA-SATA-Adapter-4S_W0QQitemZ350163600958QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item518760863e&_trksid=p3911.c0.m14&_trkparms=65%3A12|66%3A2|39%3A1|72%3A1234|240%3A1318|301%3A1|293%3A1|294%3A50

It's a 34mm adapter, and those can still be used by my 54mm right? How do I install it?

Thanks a lot.

 

You did not mention your thinkpad model, but many have firewire which runs faster than USB. I just bought the MacAlly USB, eSata, Firewire 1394a enclosure for around $40 from newegg and I get 37MB/sec on firewire.

The MacAlly external case is nice, sturdy and well built, has good reviews and provides all 3 interfaces for maximum flexibility in the future as needs change.

 

There are two slots behind the door - ExpressCard/54 on top and an older PC Card one underneath. The two pins are the eject mechansims for their respective slots - when a card is inserted, one press pops them out and the second pushes out the card. (Trivia - the X on the upper one does refer to eXpressCard )

A 34 fits np into an 54mm slot, but unless it is one of those that comes with a 34mm-54mm adapter/caddy thing, this setup can be a little wobbly sometimes.

 

I have a ThinkPad T61 14.1". I don't have firewire, so I would need to use the ExpressCard slot to provide one, which I'm instead planning to use for the eSATA connection. eSATA gets speeds of 300 MB/sec, so it's super fast.

I'm probably going to stick with the case I chose, just cause it's cheaper and matches the color of my ThinkPad. Thanks for the suggestion.

 

Oh I see. That clears up a lot. Thanks.

So the eBay link to the adapter I provided - is that what I should get? It's a generic, not name brand, adapter, and it doesn't have the caddy. What do you mean it can be a little wobbly?

 

It will work of course, especially if you only use it occasionally. I only mentioned wobbly because if you keep it in a lot of the time, a 34mm card in a 54mm slot isn't quite as stable as a 34 in a 34 or a 54 in a 54 (obviously) as the top half is only using the guide rail on one side. And you have one-inch gap to one side.