Average Reviews:
(More customer reviews)I assumed that because this adapter didn't come with an external power adapter, it didn't need one. Wrong! It has a jack for one; Adaptec just leaves it up to YOU to supply it. Oh sure, I have a box of power adapters right here lemmee take a look...
After spending most of an afternoon trying to get this to work with first a Sandisk Cruzer Mini (a very low-power consuming device) and then a Seagate Portable External HD, I got fed up and PAID Adaptec $9.95 for a "support" call, figuring it must be either a defective unit or some bit of arcane driver installation that went awry (I know, Windows XP SP1 doesn't need special drivers for USB 2.0). I held the phone for a total of 1.5 hours without getting to speak with a "support" person. While holding, I came across a page in their "knowledge base" with the question, "What kind of power adapter is needed for the DuoConnect for Notebooks card?" I just couldn't believe it.
What marketing genius came up with this? Nowhere in the packaging, instructions, read-me files, anywhere (except for that cryptic web page) does it say anything about a power adapter.
Anyway, I exchanged this for an SIIG USB 2.0+FireWire CardBus DV Kit WITH a power supply, 1394 cable and DV editing software (ULead VideoStudio 7.0 SE DVD) for the same price. So much for Adaptec in my book. I shan't ever buy Adaptec again (said in best Spinal Tap British accent).
Oh BTW, just in case you're thinking of buying this unit, go ahead and get a 12V, 1.1A power adapter with a connector of 1.3mm (inside diameter) by 3.5mm (outside diameter) and a length of 9.0mm. You'll need one.
Click Here to see more reviews about: Adaptec DuoConnect for Notebooks 1422 - USB / FireWire adapter - 4 ports ( 2126600 )
Product Description:
Instead of buying two separate cards, get all the high-speed connectivity you need with just one Adaptec DuoConnect CardBus for Notebooks. With FireWire and USB 2.0 connections in a single card, you save money and only need to carry one card when you travel. For speed and ease-of-use, you'll get where you want to go twice as fast with the DuoConnect CardBus for notebooks.At 400 megabits per second, the FireWire/1394 standard is ideal for multi- media input devices such as digital video (DV) camcorders, and high-speed storage devices, scanners, and CD-RW drives. In fact, you can "daisy chain" up to 62 peripherals from the two external FireWire ports on your DuoConnect card.USB 2.0 combines high-speed performance with the plug-and-play simplicity that has made USB peripherals so popular. USB 2.0 products include external hard drives, CD-RWs, DVD-Rs, and scanners that can run at up to 480 Mbps. That's 40 times faster than USB 1.1 peripherals!DuoConnect CardBus for Notebooks has two external ports that provide maximum compatibility and connectivity to the newest USB 2.0 devices as well as USB 1.1 devices.
Want to read more honest consumer review about Adaptec DuoConnect for Notebooks 1422 - USB / FireWire adapter - 4 ports ( 2126600 ) now ?
