What is the difference between SATA and eSATA?

SATA or Serial Advanced Technology Attachment is a technology that allows data to be transferred between storage devices such as hard drives, optical disks, and computer buses. SATA was developed to improve on some of the limitations of Integrated Drive Electronics (IDE). eSATA or External Serial Advanced Technology Attachment is also a technology that helps to connect and transfer data with external storage devices.

The major difference between the two, as revealed in the explanation above, is that SATA works as an internal device connector, whereas eSATA works as an external device connector. Although SATA is a little bit expensive compared to eSATA, but it's nothing to compare with its benefits because it is cost effective.

Another difference is that eSATA is not as flexible as SATA. In terms of speed, SATA offers up to 16 Gbits/s, while eSATA supports 6Gbits/s.

SATA and ESATA are two types of devices for connecting media. SATA stands for serial advanced technology attachment. This device is used to connecting storage devices, like hard drives. eSATA stands for external serial technology attachment. It is used with external drives, such as USB.

Another difference between them is the length of the connecting cable. eSATA cables are longer, for they are 2m long. SATA cables are only 1m long. Along with the length of the cable, the GBs it supports is also different. eSATA supports up to 6GB, while SATA can support varying GB such as 3, 6, and 16.

Although, both SATA or Serial ATA and eSATA or External SATA are used to offer faster data transfer speeds, the former was specifically designed to be used with internal hard drives whereas the latter is meant to be used with external drives. SATA was created to replace the older PATA so that it can improve on some of the limitations of PATA.

Although, the standards used in SATA are quite similar to that of eSATA, but eSATA offers more voltage than SATA. This increase in the amount of voltage that can be sent across eSATA cables has also decreased its data transfer speeds. This shows that eSATA cables are not as fast as SATA.

For instance, SATA cables support up to 16.0 Gbits/s while eSATA cables support up to 6.0 Gbits/s. Another difference between the two is that you can't use SATA connectors for eSATA. Likewise, you can't use eSATA connectors for SATA.