Sata – your future-proof option
The price differential between Pata and Sata hard disks has fallen to a few pounds, making the barriers to adoption almost zero. However, for the time being the performance benefits apply only in Raid configurations.In the future, though, it’s likely that IBM-PC-compatible systems will start to appear with just one Pata channel intended only for optical disks – as is the case already with Apple PowerMacs.
But, the rationale for retaining Pata will disappear as Sata DVD and CD drives become the norm. That’s still far from being the case but Sata DVD writers are now available – Plextor’s PX-712SA was one of the first. So using Sata optical writers and readers now is a good way of ensuring these components can be reused in future.
Contacts
The Serial ATA International Organization
Sata adapter makers
3Ware
Adaptec
HighPoint
Pacific Digital
Promise
