Sonnet Unveils PCIe to USB 3.0 and Firewire Adapter

Sonnet Technologies Inc. introduced the Tango 3.0 PCIe, a combination USB 3.0 and FireWire 800 PCIe adapter card.

The card provides users with a way to add USB 3.0 and FireWire 800 connectivity to Mac Pro and Windows computers with PCIe slots, and to Thunderbolt-to-PCIe expansion chassis. This adapter can run bus-powered devices such as HDDs through each of its ports, and it is also backward-compatible with USB 2.0 and FireWire 400 devices.

USB 3.0 has become a standard interface on Mac systems and most Windows PCs, as well as external storage devices. The Mac Pro tower never included native USB 3.0 ports, and many PCs were built with only USB 2.0 ports. Therefore, users wanting to take advantage of the interface have to rely on third-party expansion cards. This adapter provides four USB 3.0 ports: two external USB 3.0 ports and a 20-pin header for two internal USB 3.0 ports. The internal ports support panel-mount connector kits (sold separately).

FireWire 800 established its success as an interface for storage devices and professional audio equipment. Although included for years as a standard feature on most Mac computers, it has rarely been included in Windows PCs. The PCIe provides Windows PC and Mac Pro users a way to add three FireWire 800 ports to compatible computer with an open PCIe slot.

“The Tango 3.0 PCIe adapter card gives users a simple way to add USB 3.0 and FireWire 800 connectivity to any compatible computer, and it is great for use in a multi-slot Thunderbolt-to-PCIe expansion chassis,” said Greg LaPorte, VP sales and marketing, Sonnet. “The card’s multiple powered ports, plus support for hubs, enable users to connect numerous devices at the same time, and make it ideal for supporting bus-powered devices. Backward-compatibility with USB 2.0 and FireWire 400 devices allows the Tango 3.0 PCIe to support devices such as keyboards, mice, thumb drives, and legacy peripherals, too.”

The adapter card (part number FW8USB3-E) is available at a suggested retail price of $99. The card is compatible with OS X 10.8.4+, OS X Mavericks, and Windows 7 and 8.