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If you have a 2.5 inch drive (normally only found in notebooks) lying about then this kit could well be what you are looking for. It turns a 2.5 inch internal drive into an external USB2 or FireWire unit. It works with any Windows PC system using 98SE or later, it will also work for Mac’s running OS 9 or 10. You can also use it on a Windows 98 PC in USB mode only as that had no FireWire support.

The box contains a 13.5x7.5x2.5cm casing for your drive to fit into. It has both USB and FireWire sockets and an internal socket for your standard IDE connector all this is on the back of the board with all the electrics on the face (underside) of the board.

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There is a small manual (two sides in English) and a CD that seems to supply the required drivers for Windows 98SE and something called HD Speedtools for MAC. Also in the box are a USB lead, USB power lead and two FireWire leads one ending in 6 pin and the other in 4 pin.

Should there be a surfeit of 2.5 inch drives about then this can find them a new home and use as either a FireWire or USB drive, best of all they can be both.

I have referred to the ADS Tech web site – link at the end – and they quote a list of retailers these all seem to be offering in US dollars so a UK price could be hard to give you. I also found what I think looks to be the same product for the far more common 3.5 inch drive as fitted to the majority of desktop and tower systems and these are far more likely to be floating around spare or available to buy for not a lot of cash. I looked closely at the specifications etc and the Dual Link Drive Kit (DLX 185) does seem to offer the same features as the Dual Link 2.5 (DLX 188) that I was sent.

The only thing you need to work out is can I buy a dual interface USB/FireWire drive for the same price as this enclosure and an IDE drive, probably not. Can I then buy either a USB or FireWire drive for the same price as this enclosure and an IDE drive, maybe if you scour the special offers. However where it certainly wins is if you already have a perfectly usable IDE drive doing nothing and therefore all you need to buy is this kit.

The link below is to the Dual Link 2.5 I was sent but on the left side of the screen the top item under the Storage section is the Dual Link Drive kit. Amazon.com are the only firm I know from the list it generates they have the 2.5 unit for $58 and the more useful 3.5 inch unit for $85. There could well be postage and packing and if you are unlucky import duty so be aware. The only UK price I can find is £99.99 for the 2.5 unit and so even with duty it would be cheaper from the USA, I have no doubt there are UK dealers for these products, but I cannot any from my internet searches.

http://www.adstech.com/products/DLX-188/intro/DLX-188_intro.asp?pid=DLX-188