MBP eSATA ExpressCard

Spyhop · 20 Sep 2009 at 14:58

Does anyone use an eSATA ExpressCard with their MBP?

Can you recommend one that has reliable OS X support? I'm looking for one with one or two ports.

Doug · 20 Sep 2009 at 21:52

I have a cheapy one based on the Silicon Image 3132, just uses the driver direct from SI, and it's worked fine for me.

Going to be putting it on the MM this week, along with a load of other stuff, so keep an eye out

NickK · 20 Sep 2009 at 22:17

Be aware, most like my SI based one, work fine with leopard but not with Snow Leopard and forget 64bit atm

Doug · 20 Sep 2009 at 22:53

Ah, thanks for that, I'll have to give it a go in Snow Leopard and see what's what.

If there are any problems, hopefully a driver update will sort it

Hopefully

Spyhop · 20 Sep 2009 at 23:36

Some allegedly work out of the box without needing any driver installed, which seems promising for compatibility.

Spyhop · 21 Sep 2009 at 22:48

I ordered this one.

Doesn't need an additional driver.
Works with Snow Leopard (including the 64 bit kernel, according to some mailing list post)
Supports booting off of it.

NickK · 22 Sep 2009 at 00:54

Just plugged in my SI 3132 PCI ExpressCard/34 under OSX 10.6.1. It recognises the controller without a driver! It wouldn't do that with 10.5!

Spyhop · 22 Sep 2009 at 12:44

Can you "hot swap" drives and the card itself?

NickK · 22 Sep 2009 at 13:47

Well before if you removed the card using the powerdown option on the menu and unplugged it it caused a curtain of death.
Not tried completely as I've been to busy with other things.