e-sata

you can get nas storage devices, tb would be faster, but those use software/drivers and cause a bit more slowdown vs sata/nvme

Originally posted by _I_:

e-sata

but not all laptops have e-sata port

Originally posted by _I_:

you can get nas storage devices, tb would be faster, but those use software/drivers and cause a bit more slowdown vs sata/nvme

no, it still uses an usb, it will be slower

Originally posted by Wumbo:

Originally posted by _I_:

you can get nas storage devices, tb would be faster, but those use software/drivers and cause a bit more slowdown vs sata/nvme

no, it still uses an usb, it will be slower

You don’t know what you’re talking about. Thunderbolt 3 or 4; or USB4 can do 40Gbps. Your typical network adapter is going to be 1Gbps or 2.5Gbps.

Originally posted by PopinFRESH:

Originally posted by Wumbo:

no, it still uses an usb, it will be slower

You don’t know what you’re talking about. Thunderbolt 3 or 4; or USB4 can do 40Gbps. Your typical network adapter is going to be 1Gbps or 2.5Gbps.

sorry, i thought it was only usb port

usb has a ton of protocol overhead
lan is a tiny %, as long as there is little network traffic to fight with its faster

E-Sata or Thunderbolt.

have to pay attention with thunderbolt. Not sure how fragmented TB4/5 is, but with TB3 some laptops only did 2 pcie lanes. I mean woof x2 TB4 still 20Gbps no slouch but would suck to be surprised

what ports does your laptop have?

nas can use wired lan or wifi
will be slower than internal drive, but faster than most usb

most laptops can support 2 drives, sata, m.2 sata/nvme

if the laptop has a mini pci-e slot, you can pull its wifi nic and use one of these for external storage
https://www.amazon.com/NFHK-Express-Adapter-Converter-Extension/dp/B09B1QZSD4
and usb/sata power adapters for the drives
https://www.amazon.com/xiwai-Single-Converter-Adapter-Supply/dp/B0D41KRWVF


but at that point, might as well just get a usb-sata adapter
it will be good enough for most tasks and way more reliable since its only one cable, not 2 and require opening the laptop to change the wifi to sata card

https://www.amazon.com/UGREEN-Enclosure-Tool-Free-Thunderbolt-Compatible/dp/B09T97Z7DM

e-sata or USB 3.x or thunderbolt.
In reality its just bottlenecked by SATA 3 speeds, so theres almost no difference. Theres only difference if its on IDE mode, but thats ancient ♥♥♥♥.

As long you bave USB Type-C 5Gbps or better or USB Tupe-A 3.1 or higher then it should be fine.

If you want Ethernet get a RAID NAS box

USB can reach 20Gbps
Thunderbolt has speeds up to 80Gbps and can be used for external GPUs.

Ethernet port in laptops usually have 1Gbps speed. 2.5Gbps if lucky.

So yes if the adapter and drive can handle it, USB Type-C 3.2 is your best bet for best overall speed when going all by price to performance ratio