What is the characteristic of SATA drives?

SATA drives are characterized by their ability to be hot-swappable, meaning they can be added or removed while the computer is still powered on without causing damage to the system or data loss. This feature is particularly advantageous in environments where quick upgrades or replacements are necessary, such as in servers or storage systems.

SATA technology was designed to improve data transfer speeds and connectivity over previous standards, like IDE. Unlike some interfaces that require the system to be shut down for device changes, the hot-swappable functionality of SATA drives provides greater flexibility in managing storage solutions.

Regarding other aspects of SATA drives, they typically use standardized cables for connections, which allows for easier installation and organization within a computer case. This is in contrast to older standards that required specific types of cables. While IDE drives were known for being slower than their SATA counterparts, it's important to note that the speed comparison does not directly affect the hot-swappable capability inherent in SATA technology.