Removable IDE trays

[Matt Staroscik]

> Any recommendations on removable IDE hard drive trays?  I've heard good
> things about the 3Ware 3-drive and 4-drive cages, but at $200+ they're
> relatively expensive.  e.g. Vantec single-drive trays are about $35, but
> I don't know anything about the reliability of the Vantec trays.

I am using these $7 el cheapo trays:

http://www.pcmicrostore.com/part-detail.asp?id=406213

I ordered a few, they worked, I ordered more. I have 8 now. I did get one
bad one... the power and ground were shorted on the PCB. When the computer
wouldn't turn on with the tray installed, I took it apart, warmed up the
iron,and fixed it in 5 minutes. Hey, you get what you pay for. :)

They are plastic, they feel cheap, and I bet the fan won't last long, but
they DO work fine. Of course, they are not hot-swappable at this price.

I have seen pics in other web catalogs which look like these exact units
for $25 or more, so whatever you buy, be careful and shop around!

If I had a corporate budget, yeah, I would have gotten something better,
but these are working well enough at home.

- Matt