Laptop 2.5" HDD IDE ribbon cable?

[galapogos]

Hi,
I'm wondering if there are any differences among 2.5" HDD ribbon
cables? Compared to their desktop variants, these cables are 2mm pitch
instead of 2.54mm pitch, and 44pin rather than 40pin. However, I'm not
sure if there are the 88 conductor cables for UDMA modes 4 and
above(since 40pin IDE connectors for 3.5" drives have require 80
conductor for UDMA4+ modes)? I looked at a laptop and it seems to use
a 44 conductor cable since the plastic insulating layer of individual
wires seem to be pretty thick.

I'm thinking it's because these cables are usually very short in
laptops(about 2" long). That brings me to another question. Are there
any limits on the cable length on 44pin cables, both max and min?

Thanks!

 

[Rod Speed]

I'm wondering if there are any differences among 2.5" HDD ribbon cables?

Only that they are usually very short.

Compared to their desktop variants, these cables are 2mm
pitch instead of 2.54mm pitch, and 44pin rather than 40pin.
However, I'm not sure if there are the 88 conductor cables
for UDMA modes 4 and above(since 40pin IDE connectors
for 3.5" drives have require 80 conductor for UDMA4+ modes)?

Nope, essentially because they are very short.

I looked at a laptop and it seems to use a 44 conductor cable since
the plastic insulating layer of individual wires seem to be pretty thick.

The difference is very visible with the standard IDE cables, essentially
because every second wire is a ground and you can easily count the wires.

I'm thinking it's because these cables are usually very short in laptops(about 2" long).
Correct.

That brings me to another question. Are there any limits
on the cable length on 44pin cables, both max and min?

The same max still applys, tho its completely academic in laptops.