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WD's My Passport Studio wears contents on its sleeve with always-on 'e-label'
Western Digital's My Passport Studio line has been spinning for years now, but today the outfit is pushing out a revamped version with a little something special. Boasting a FireWire 800 interface, a highly pocketable design and 256-bit hardware-based encryption, this here drive offers an "e-label smart display" on the front that actually remains on even when the drive is off and unplugged. Owners can tweak the text on the display as often as they like via WD's SmartWare software, and by utilizing e-paper technology, you'll always be able to see what's inside at a glance. Just so you're aware, the company's shipping this thing in 320GB, 500GB and 640GB flavors, but all three come pre-formatted for Mac use -- thankfully your Windows 7 rig won't have any issues wiping that slate clean and starting over once you hand over your $149.99 to $199.99.
LaCie refreshes connectivity options on Rugged eSATA portable HDD
LaCie's startlingly orange Rugged drive has been waltzing around and taking beatings for years now, but the company finally decided to give it an interface overhaul to deal with this phenomenon known only as "technological progress." The latest and greatest in the family is the Rugged eSATA, which maintains the iconic shape and color of the original, yet adds support for eSATA; reportedly, users can see transfer rates as high as 90MB/sec, and if you can only find a USB port, it'll also work with that when speed isn't a concern. It's up for order right now in a 500GB model, but you'll have to amicably part with $159.99 before calling it yours. %Gallery-85273%
Samsung's S2 Portable gets Michael Jackson makeover, promises to heal the world
You know, something deep, deep inside of us knew that this was going to happen, but with Michael Jackson's untimely departure of Planet Earth back in the news thanks to Mr. Conrad Murray's arraignment, it seems like the glut of This Is It-related gear is even touching the typically straightforward tech industry. The drive you're weeping at above is the February 22nd-bound 500GB S2 Portable, complete with a paint job that can only be described as overkill. Jackson's final film is pre-loaded on here (and likely entangled in DRM), as well as Samsung's own Auto Backup feature that'll keep your aged concert photos safe for a few more decades. Of course, the inclusion of a "SecretZone" service -- which encrypts specific files while requiring a password to access -- seems a bit tasteless given the subject matter here, but leave it to Samsung to Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'. %Gallery-85015%
Sony licenses 'official' PS3 external HDDs, doesn't fully comprehend concept of interoperability
Hey there, why so glum? You've overfilled your PS3's internal storage with mission-critical data and don't have anywhere else to stash your incoming Best of Miley Cyrus compilation? Fear not, Sony's got you covered with a pair of officially licensed external HDDs built by Buffalo. They look remarkably similar to standard issue USB portable drives -- so much so in fact that one of them is a rebadged unit that Buffalo already retails in the US -- but let's not nitpick here. The two drives on offer come with a generous 500GB of storage and their prices aren't too bad with the rebadge setting you back around $130 while the more stylish HD-AV500U2 above will cost around $168. You could of course ignore Sony, buy any drive you like and jack it into your PS3; it's just that these aren't too terrible as far as unnecessarily licensed peripherals go. Both drives will be hitting Japan in March to coincide with the Torne DVR adapter release.
LaCie serves up Enterprise Class versions of Quadra external drives
LaCie dabbled in the CES extravaganza with a few minor offerings, but it decided to wait a few weeks for things to calm down before busting out a new range of wares. Today, the outfit is slinging out a trio of products in the freshly created Enterprise Class: the d2 Quadra Enterprise Class, 2big Quadra Enterprise Class and the 4big Quadra Enterprise Class. Obviously engineered for the more hardcore among us, these units pack enterprise-class SATA drives, a five-year warranty, 128-bit AES hardware encryption and hardware RAID with hot-swappable disks. Each HDD within spins at 7200RPM and boasts 32MB of cache, and 700MB/sec are promised when using a RAID 50 array with four 4big Quadra Enterprise Class units. The whole slate of Neil Poulton-designed drives offer up quad interfaces (FireWire 400 / 800, USB 2.0 and eSATA), and prices get going at just $299.
Sarotech updates book-like Hardbox to version 3.0, embraces SuperSpeed USB
We'll just come at you straight -- the world needs a more varied selection of external hard drives. Aside from the occasional LaCie / Lego-inspired alternative, there's really a stark lack of style when perusing the storage shelves at Best Buy. Sarotech's been one to blaze its own trail before, but we've yet to see a serious update to the impossible-to-hate Wizplatz W-31... until today, of course. The Hardbox 3.0 is, for all intents and purposes, a refreshed version of the aforementioned unit, and this HDD enclosure sports a sleek, all-black exterior along with a full complement of updated hardware that supports USB 3.0. It's apparently available with 1TB, 1.5TB, 2TB or 3TB within, though it sounds as if you'll have to wait until at least February to find one available for shipping. It'll be worth it, though.
WiebeTech gets rugged with ToughTech Secure mini HDD enclosure
It's been a (blazing) hot minute since we've heard a good word from the folks at WiebeTech, but lo and behold, it's hitting back with a new portable hard drive case here at CES. The ToughTech Secure mini is described as a 2.5-inch encrypted external HDD enclosure, and with four interfaces to choose from (FireWire 800, FireWire 400, USB 2.0 and eSATA), you should be set when it comes time to connect it. 'Course, we wish SuperSpeed USB 3.0 were represented here, but we guess that'll have to wait until next year. The case ships with a USB encryption key that's meant to keep your information safe from prying eyes, and the rugged aluminum chassis should protect it from most bumps and bruises. There's no mention of a price, but the full specification list awaits you just past the break while you wait for a February ship date.
Clickfree busts out automatic backup solutions: C2N HDD, Transformer and Traveler SD
Last year was a relatively quiet one for Clickfree after it showed its cards at CES 2009, but it's clear the company is looking to start 2010 off with a bang here in the desert. The recently updated C2 backup drive is seeing a significant overhaul at CES, with the C2N acting as a portable backup drive for any computer on your home network. The C2N drive is the company's first to boast its BackupLink technology, which enables all of your networked machines (Macs and PCs) to be backed up automatically; of course, you'll only be backing up between 250GB and 640GB of information, but we're told that larger models are expected later in the year. Next up is the Network Edition of the Transformer, which is apt to be entirely more useful for those of you with capacious USB hard drives already looking for work. Essentially, this touts the same functionality as the aforementioned C2N, but it connects to any USB hard drive rather than providing a drive of its own. Finally, the Traveler SD is a 32GB Secure Digital card with the Clickfree backup software baked in; as you might imagine, this enables computer backups to take place on a card reader, which just might be the perfect solution for travelers who haven't any room for a spare HDD. You can expect to find all three on store shelves between March and April, with pricing set for $159.99 (250GB) $179.99 (320GB), $199.99 (500GB and $219.99 (640GB) for the C2N, $99.99 for the Transformer Networ Edition and $89.99 (16GB) / $149.99 (32GB) for the Traveler SD card. %Gallery-81230%
OCZ unveils ultraslim USB 3.0 external SSD, Vertex 2 and new PCI-e SSDs
OCZ has a thing for pumping out some pretty swank concepts at trade shows, and sure enough, the company's storming onto the CES floor with a number of drool-worthy introductions. Up first (and dearest to our hearts) is the ultrathin USB 3.0 external solid state drive, which offers up a 5Gb/sec transfer rate and should ship in 64GB, 128GB and 256GB capacities. Someday, for some price. The outfit is also dishing out the Vertex 2 line of MLC-based internal SSDs as well as a second-generation PCI-Express design that's aimed for the enterprise crowd. Specifics are few and far between, but we're hoping to get a little hands-on time (with as many details as we can gather) soon. Really soon. %Gallery-81615%
LG's XG1 Chic external hard drive looks just dainty
It's true: there's nothing particularly extraordinary about LG's newest external hard drive, but it's the design here that has managed to catch our eyes. Available in black or white and with 1TB, 1.5TB or 2TB of storage within, these stylish 3.5-inch USB drives are slated to ship next month in South Korea. There's nary a mention of a stateside release nor of any USB 3.0 editions, but we're sure that'll come in due time. Patience leads to great things, or so we hear. %Gallery-81120%
Transcend introduces 1.5TB StoreJet 35T external hard drive
It ain't flashy, but so long as you don't ever plan on having more than 1.5TB of junk to store on an external hard drive, Transcend's latest should do the trick. The StoreJet 35T promises average write speeds of 42MB/s, and the one-touch backup feature enables your mind to be at ease with the simplest of gestures. You'll also get intelligent backup scheduling, StoreJet Elite software that offers 256-bit AES file and folder encryption and... well, little else. Mum's the word on pricing and availability, but for those who find this one too rich for their blood, a 1TB model should be landing soon as well.
Hitachi introduces 2TB SimpleDrive for digital pack rats
Hitachi GST has been pushing 2TB hard drives for quite some time, but for whatever reason, the outfit's long-standing SimpleDrive line has been held back from enjoying the spoils. Until today, obviously. The outfit has just introduced a 2TB edition of its external SimpleDrive, and it also announced that all of its 3.5-inch retail drives are now available in 2TB capacities. There's also an upgraded Hitachi SimpleTech Pro Drive and Duo Pro Drive (2 x 2TB), with prices for the entire lot checking in at $249.99, $299.99 and $499.99 in order of mention. Oh, and in just case your 250GB drive from 2002 just hit its limit today, you'll be elated to know that each of these are available as we speak.
Brinell Purestorage external hard drives are all kinds of classy
Much like the great city of San Diego, Brinell's Purestorage line of external HDDs is amongst the classiest that we've ever seen. So classy in fact, that we'd probably be frightened to ever lug one around and risk marring the otherwise gorgeous leather, carbon, wood or stainless steel enclosure. That said, there's hardly a sexier way to carry around 160GB to 500GB in your pocket, and the USB-powered design enables you to leave the AC adapter in the very rear of your memory. Eager to caress one? These are available now across the pond in a variety of flavors starting at €189 ($280), so yeah, pony up.
Origin unveils 750GB and 1TB Data Locker encrypted external HDDs
Questionably christened the world's first 1TB portable hardware-encrypted hard drive, Origin Storage's extra-capacious Data Locker Secure Drive is certainly the one to get if you're paranoid about whatever it is you'd keep on such a large platter. Also available in 750GB, 500GB and 320GB models, the drives are secured by AES hardware encryption and a 6 to 18 digit PIN number which must be entered directly onto the device itself before the contents become accessible. Think James Bond, but for real. The USB-powered unit also packs rubber shoulders in case things get a little crazy between you and Mr. Data Thief, though we wouldn't try running this thing through the rain forest if at all possible. The 1TB edition will be available soon for £399 ($652), while the others are priced at £299 ($488), £239 ($390) and £180 ($294) from largest to smallest.[Via Slashgear]
Clickfree adds hassle-free migration, other features to C2 backup drive (video)
Quite a lot has happened in the world of Clickfree since it went a little crazy at CES, but we're pretty jazzed about its latest effort. The predictably titled C2 is little more than a tweaked and refreshed version of the original backup-inclined external hard drive, but the boost in features makes this one worth considering. Available with a built-in USB cable and an even easier backup interface, the C2 can now handle automatic iPod music / playlist imports, direct-to-DVD burning, improved media sharing and a lovely migration feature that makes the arduous process of moving from Windows XP to Windows 7 a lesson in simplicity. The drive will be available in 250GB (C2 227; $139.00), 500GB (C2 527; $199.99) and 350GB sizes, with the latter to be made available in January 2010. So, are you finally done pushing aside the need to back your digital life up? Has Apple's increasingly lackadaisical software team taught us anything? Bizzare promo video is after the break.%Gallery-75411%
LG launches XD3 Slim portable HDDs
Brushed aluminum exterior filed down to a minimalist 13mm in thickness with rubber-padded sides for impact protection. This is not just a portable hard drive, this is an LG XD3 Slim portable hard drive. It seems like LG has decided to differentiate its products on aesthetics alone, as the XD3 has the same USB and SATA II connectivity that have been on offer since the XD1, and storage is no greater than the max 500GB on the XD2. Even so, if the Korean price of 110,000 Won ($90) for the 320GB model shows up unaltered in Western lands, we know what we'll be buying our imaginary girlfriends come Christmas.
Buffalo stuffs 500GB into ultraslim HD-PVU2 portable hard drive
With a few external hard drive outfits pushing out 640GB models this past week, a simple half-terabyte edition now seems mildly inadequate. That said, Buffalo's latest gets brownie points for being almost impossibly thin. The HD-PVU2 lineup is barely thicker than the 2.5-inch HDD within, with 320GB and 500GB versions available. Both black and white flavors will be shipped out to stores, and as expected, they'll get all the juice they need through USB 2.0. Check 'em out soon (assuming you can locate one) in Japan for ¥10,500 ($112) and ¥15,330 ($164), respectively. [Via Impress]
OWC shoves 750GB hard drive into Mercury On-The-Go Pro
Other World Computing's Mercury On-The-Go lineup has always struck us as somewhat overpriced and completely overstyled, but it's tough to argue with 750GB of space in a bus-powered portable drive. The newest addition to the company's On-The-Go Pro range is a 750GB model that spins at 5200RPMs and packs 8MB of cache; we won't even begin to tell you what all you could fit on three-quarters of a terabyte, but if your imagination already has you tempted, you can snag one now for as low as $229.99 if you're kosher with a USB 2.0-only configuration.[Via Electronista]
Samsung doles out 640GB S2 portable, 2TB S3 Station HDDs
Whatever Toshiba can do, Samsung can do... um, equally well? Evidently that's the game being played over at IFA, as the latter company has issued a 640GB portable hard drive of its own nary 24 hours after Tosh did likewise. The unspeakably cute S2 portable is getting a much-needed capacity bump, making the largest drive in the line 640GB. In related news, the company's 3.5-inch S3 Station external HDD has seen its maximum storage level creep north to 2TB, though storage freaks will have to wait patiently until "early next year" in order to take one home. Prices for both remain a mystery, but if we had to guess, we'd put the MSRPs about a penny under whatever Toshiba settles on. Call it a hunch.[Via HotHardware]
Toshiba intros 2.5-inch 5400RPM 640GB hard drive in internal / external flavors
It's no speed demon, but Toshiba's newest 2.5-inch hard drive sure lets you store an awful lot of illicit images precious memories on a single unit. The 640GB MK6465GSX drive spins at 5400RPMs and is said to be the industry's largest in this form factor. The range also includes 500GB, 320GB, 250GB and 160GB models, with the whole lot shipping out to OEMs and distributors later this month. In related news, Tosh is also slapping these bad boys into a few shiny enclosures (Vivid White, Liquid Blue, Komodo Green and Rocket Red if you must know), giving storage junkies an even more capacious offering to slide into their briefcase. Of note, As of now, there's no pricing information available on the bare 640GB unit, but it should be available as we speak for $179.99 in external form.[Via HotHardware]Read - 640GB 2.5-inch hard driveRead - External editions
