RuggedHardDrive
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ioSafe Solo G3 hands-on
After the heavy stench of ozone started to clear, ioSafe officially took the wraps off the Solo G3 -- the latest in its line of fire and waterproof storage solutions. Unlike previous models this one actually manages to ditch the fan, and therefore runs almost completely silent in operation. The G3 isn't for those looking for an inconspicuous device. This external data safe sports a unique design with a perforated exterior and weighs in at a staggering 15 pounds. Around back you'll find the powerjack and switch as well as a USB 3.0 port for high-speed data transfers. The G3 is available starting at $299 for 1TB of storage. Check out the pair of galleries below. Edgar Alvarez contributed to this report.
ioSafe gives shocking demo of Thunderbolt Rugged Portable prototype (video)
Every year ioSafe has some absurd demo to show off just how tough its rugged hard drives are. They've already played with fire and peppered a portable model with buckshot. This year the company turned to an eight-foot tall Tesla coil and pointed its bolts of current at a prototype Thunderbolt model of its Rugged Portable -- which the company hopes to ship sometime in Q2. Unlike previous versions, this one packs dual SSDs in a RAID array for redundancy. After being blasted repeatedly with a million volts of electricity the drive still worked. Things got a bit hairy when the drive wasn't recognized at first, but CEO Robb Moore broke out the screwdrivers, cracked open the case and connected the SSD directly through a separate adapter. Turns out just the mainboard was fried, but the storage was still safe. A second Rugged Portable, one of last-year's models brought in by a member of the press, was also put to the voltage test and came through unscathed. Check out the video after the break. Edgar Alvarez contributed to this report.
ADATA's SH14 hard drive packs a stylish yet rugged punch
Always thought ruggedized storage had to look tough and utilitarian? Think again, because ADATA's latest looks more like a fashionable disco-futon than the outwardly brawny externals we're used to. Buried somewhere under all that style is a 2.5-inch, 5400RPM drive that's IPX4 water-resistant and "military grade shockproof." It'll come in red or black and in 500GB, 750GB or 1TB capacities, which'll set you back €59.90, €71.90 or €92.90, respectively. The chic but virile drives also tote USB 3.0, equating to a relatively speedy 90MB/s transfer rate. No word on pricing for yanks yet, but they'll probably show up before long at the "select agents and distributors" at the source below.
LaCie's Rugged Mini is rugged, also mini (video)
Got a knack for all things rugged, rubberized and orange? Then you're undoubtedly familiar with LaCie's robust line of drives, which the firm's been peddling to abusive storage lovers since 2008. Joining the family today are 500GB, 1TB, and (next month) 1.5TB miniaturized versions of Neil Poulton's shock, drop, and rain-resistant baby. They also tote USB 3.0, making them perfect candidates for speedy transfers while you're being hunted by some rare and soon-to-be extinct Amazonian jungle cat. Sound like your kind of shindig? PR and a video await you after the break.
Clickfree C2 Rugged hard drive can fall down, backup
There's just something about the phrase "built to strict U.S. military standards" that makes us want to go positively medieval on a rugged device. Sadly, the aforementioned qualifier doesn't mean that Clickfree's new C2 Rugged Back-up Drive is capable of withstanding, say, a hail of gunfire, but the rubberized disk will continue to work after being dropped from four feet. The peripheral also features the company's Easy Run software, which will start automatically backing up your PC when you're done showing that storage device who's boss. The 500GB C2 is available now through Clickfree's site for $140 -- or $100, if you're one of the lucky 100 first people to buy, so maybe buy two, in case you go a little overboard.
Toshiba's newest hard drive is designed for 24/7 rugged use
It doesn't look like Toshiba's going to put an end to its awkward hard drive naming convention anytime soon, but at least we can call the new MK1060GSCX the "24/7 durable one." The 100GB, 2.5-inch SATA HDD is designed for "rugged operating environments" and continuous 24-hour operation. Obviously, Tosh has put this guy through the ringer -- it claims that the drive can withstand -15 to +70 degrees Celsius as well as operate at expanded altitudes. The sacrifice you make for that, however, is in speed -- the 4,200rpm drive has a 12msec seek time and 1.5Gbit/s interface speed. Of course, if you're looking for something faster -- one of Intel's latest X25-M SSDs would run circles around that. Toshiba will also offer an even smaller 80GB MK8050GACY version with a PATA interface. No word on pricing, but Toshiba expects the new drives to hit sometime in December -- hit the break for the full spec breakdown and press release.
A-DATA's SH93 hard drive is probably more daring than you are
A-DATA already has slim and colorful portable hard drives covered, but it looks like it's now done one better with its new SH93 model, which adds a dash of ruggedness for good measure. That includes waterproofing compliant with IEC 529 IPX7 standards (or up to one meter deep for 30 minutes), shock-proofing to MIL-STD-810F standards for drops and general jostling and, of course, a bright yellow or red rubber enclosure that's almost begging you to toss it across the room. No word on pricing just yet, but it looks like this one will be available in your choice of 250GB, 320GB, 500GB or 640GB capacities, and presumably sometime soon.[Via OhGizmo!]
Hitachi intros two new portable HDDs, SimpleNET NAS adapter
If you'll recall, Hitachi GST snapped up Fabrik in February, and with that acquisition came the latter company's highly-regarded SimpleTech line. Today, Hitachi is introducing its first consumer products since the pickup, and while you'll notice a hint of 'Simple' in the titles, the branding is all Hitachi. First up is the water-resistant and shock-proof SimpleTOUGH portable USB drive (250/320/500GB for $99.99/$119.99/$149.99), which can survive a 3-meter fall and boasts a twistable USB cable that's permanently affixed to the enclosure. Next, there's the SimpleDRIVE Mini, which is a stylish, colorful portable HDD that is now shipping in red wine (250GB; $89.99), blue dusk (320GB; $109.99) and carbon fiber black (500GB; $139.99). Finally, there's Hitachi's alternative to the Pogoplug: the SimpleNET USB/NAS adapter. Put simply, this $79 device enables up to two USB HDDs to be placed on a network, though Hitachi makes clear that this is a convenience device, not a performance device. The 10/100 Ethernet jack is evidence of that, but hey, if you need a quick-and-dirty way to get your hard drive (regardless of format, by the way) on the web, this will certainly do it. Full release is after the break.
Freecom's ToughDrive Sport external HDD is tough, also a drive
Okay Mr. (or Mrs.) Fumblefingers, you've got your Toughbook for high-impact computing on the go, but when you just need to take that presentation into the office and you don't want to lug your bombproof notebook with you it's time for a rugged external HDD, and Freecom's ToughDrive Sport is the latest. It's a rubberized enclosure sporting drives in 250, 320, and 500GB flavors, protecting them from drops of up to 2 meters while its 256 bit MD5 hardware encryption protects your data from would-be spies -- and from anyone on a Mac, since it's PC-only. The $219 drive (for 500GB) doesn't appear to be waterproof, or even resistant, but hey, check out that USB cable. It looks like a climbing rope!Update: Thomas commented to point out that it's just the "Turbo" USB 2.0 driver that requires a PC. You can indeed throw this bad boy at your local Mac -- so long as you can live without boost. [Via Tom's Hardware]
Hitachi to offer road-ready Endurastar hard drives
Since vehicles of all flavors are rolling out pre-pimped with such flattering amenities as iPod adapters, high-end navigation systems, and rip-n-go CD players, Hitachi apparently figured now would be an opportunistic time to offer up a few road-ready hard drive options. You're probably quite aware that even the most relaxing Sunday drive is never complete without its fair share of jostling, and the two new Endurastar HDDs are built to withstand all the unique tortures a hard drive may face when being driven daily. According to Hitachi, the N4K50 is designed to operate in temperatures from minus 3 degrees to 158 degrees Fahrenheit, and at altitudes "up to 3,000 meters." The slightly more extreme offering, dubbed J4K50, isn't fazed by heights of up to 5,000 meters, and can shake off that frostbite by spinning at negative 22 degrees, or keep its cool while operating at 185 degrees Fahrenheit. Presumably, a good bit of the stability comes from the fluid dynamic bearings used in the motors, a much more adept alternative to the ball bearings that have become commonplace. Hitachi isn't handing out release dates nor pricing as of yet, but they are stating that both factory and aftermarket options will be available in sizes up to 50GB, so we assume you modders won't waste any time in getting those creative wheels a spinning.
