The USB 3.0 cable is short, but perfect for the position on the computer. The net data transfer rate at an old 500GB SATA drive is 60 MB / s, which is well above the at USB 2.0 (theoretical) maximum 40 MB / s (net) - USB 3.0 works so definitely.
The drive in the docking station "feels" to the operation as an internal - with the small but important difference is that you can just turn off when needed without shutting down the computer.
Prima solution for small money.