David Farber wrote:
Would this device have the same capabilities (specifically PATA mode)
as the one you mentioned?
http://www.ebay.com/itm/331250999094

That device can easily do PATA for a 3.5" drive. In that case, the
provided AC power supply would plug directly into the drive.

That device can do PATA for a 2.5" drive, *as long as the drive draws
less power than is available from a single USB port* - 2.5 W.

If your drive draws more than 2.5 W, that device may not be able to
power it. I don't think it has a way to plug the AC adapter into the
device, to supply more power to the 44-pin 2.5" PATA connector than the
USB port can provide.

There's a chance that there is a place for the AC adapter on the back
side of the "pod" on the end of the USB cable, but there is no picture
in the ad, and I haven't seen this style of device with such a connector
on the "pod" before.

Most laptop hard drives probably draw less than 2.5 W, so this shouldn't
be an issue very often.

Matt Roberds