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LaCie unveils 500GB silverscreen multimedia hard drive
Remember that measly 40GB silverscreen from years past? Thankfully, LaCie has finally found time to upgrade that thing to a much more stylish creation, complete with a half terabyte of built-in storage space (or 320GB if you're short on cash). The USB 2.0-based unit still features DivX compatibility and plug 'n plug operation with your television, and it even plays nice with JPEG / MP3 formats as well as offering up an optical digital audio output for Dolby Digital 5.1 support. Buyers will also find a wireless remote bundled in, and for those with HDTVs, the silverscreen is reportedly able to upscale content via component. No word on availability just yet, but we're hearing that the 500GB iteration is set to cost around €240 ($338) whenever it lands.[Via Gizmos]
Western Digital intros quad interface My Book Studio Edition
Don't say Iomega is the only bunch using the Apple Expo to unveil a new hard drive, as Western Digital is expanding its (recently expanded) My Book lineup once more with the Studio Edition. This unit comes formatted for Macs, is available in sizes ranging from 320GB to 1TB and features a quadruple interface giving users the option of using USB 2.0, FireWire 400 / 800, or eSATA. Additionally, the drive offers up "automatic, continuous backup," a capacity gauge, five-year warranty, SmartPower feature, a fanless design to keep things quiet, and of course, an "elegant silver metallic finish that perfectly complements other Mac products." The new crew is available now from $199.99 to $399.99 depending on capacity.
Western Digital unveils slimmer, sleeker My Book lineup
Just months ago, we saw Western Digital offer up a 2TB version of its My Book dual-drive line, and now the firm is introducing a "smaller, sleeker" family for those obsessed with style. Among the newcomers are the slimmer My Book Home Edition, My Book Office Edition, and My Book Essential Edition 2.0, all of which will be available in sizes ranging from 320GB to 1TB. Of note, you'll still find the same USB 2.0 connectivity (plus FireWire 400 and eSATA on the Home Edition), bundled backup features, and SmartPower functionality that automatically powers the drive on and off with the attached PC / Mac. The recently made-over trio is available now for $129.99 to $379.99 depending on model and capacity, and you can take a look at the rest of the gang after the break.
LaCie intros 2big trio of professional RAID drives
We know, you're probably still gawking at that shiny hunk of hard drive that LaCie announced earlier today, but for the pros out there, this lineup is likely to be more your style. The 2big family -- which will include the 2big Dual, 2big Triple and the 2big Network -- range in capacity from 1TB to 2TB, and all include a new "thermoregulated progressive smart fan" to keep things cool and quiet. As for the 2Big Dual, you'll find eSATA II and USB 2.0, while the 2Big Triple offers up both flavors of FireWire / USB 2.0 and the 2Big Network "is an Ethernet version that can act as a file sharing or backup server." Pricing on the trifecta will vary based on storage space and connectivity options, but you can find these hanging out in September and starting at $399.[Via Electronista]
LaCie lays out 500GB Golden Disk external HDD
Just in case LaCie's LEGO / Porsche-inspired hard drives don't excite you, the firm is apparently looking to snatch your business another way: by gilding an external HDD and waving it in your grille. The Golden Disk itself is an exclusive designed by French designer Ora-Ïto, and includes 500GB of storage, PC / Mac compatibility, a USB 2.0 interface, and LaCie's own 1-Click backup software to boot. Not much else to mention besides the price, so go on and get your $189 ready for an October landing, ya heard?[Via Pocket-Lint]
LaCie intros 4TB Biggest Quadra RAID drive
LaCie's 4TB Biggest Quadra certainly isn't the largest drive to rock the LaCie badge, but it does give users four ways to sync it up with their PC or Mac. The four-disk RAID drive touts FireWire 800, FireWire 400, USB 2.0 and eSATA interfaces, supports RAID levels 0, 0+1 and 5, and will automatically shut down if temperates get too high. Reportedly, the device will ship with backup and recovery software and is slated to land in October for $2,199, right alongside the $1,099 2TB and $1,599 3TB versions.[Via TGDaily]
Recycle bin hard drive stores your deletions, mimics a trash can
We'll admit, it does seem a bit unnecessary to purchase an external hard drive that reserves its space for your deleted files, but if it looks this good, we can't help but be awed. Designed by Franco Cagnina, the Tempo concept is a 250GB hard drive that somehow resides in a trash can-shaped enclosure, and as expected, stores every single byte that you (haphazardly or otherwise) direct to File 13. The standout feature, however, are the blue LEDs that creep up the can as you add more and more junk to the heap. Well played, Franco, well played.[Via TechnaBob]
Novac intros external HDD enclosure with sizable cooling fan
Paranoid about excessive heat? Looks like the folks at Novac share your worries, as the NV-HDS392U external hard drive enclosure packs one of the largest, most prominent cooling fans you're likely to find in such a device. Boasting an all-aluminum frame and measuring in at 2.16- x 7.2- x 4.69-inches, this unit plays nice with any 3.5-inch IDE / SATA hard drive that you've got hanging around, and connects up with your Mac or PC via USB 2.0. If things get a bit heated, users can simply flip the "on" switch to crank up the side-mounted cooling fan, and those interested can snap this one up early next month for ¥4,980 ($43).[Via AkihabaraNews]
Buffalo adds Turbo USB to MiniStation / DriveStation external HDDs
Lately, it's been Buffalo's NAS lineup getting all the attention, but today the firm is showing a little affection for its MiniStation and DriveStation. The MiniStation, which is available in capacities of 80GB, 120GB, 160GB, and a quarter-terabyte join the more capacious DriveStation (arriving with 320GB, 500GB, 750GB, and 1TB of space) in offering up the newfangled Turbo USB feature. Reportedly, this amenity "increases performance speed up to 60-percent faster than other USB hard drives on the market today," and benefits Windows and OS X users alike. The MiniStation ranges from $99.99 to $219.99 and should be available by the end of the month, but the DriveStation won't make its debut until early September when it rings up between $129.99 and $499.99.[Via AkihabaraNews]
Fujitsu intros 300GB Calmee Moon external HDD
We can only surmise that Fujitsu went ahead and stuffed its own brand spankin' new 300GB 2.5-incher into the new Calmee Moon external hard drive, and for those who freak over simplistic contrasts in color, these ought to suit your fancy just fine. The black / white (and vice versa) themed units arrive in a sleek, all-aluminum enclosure, include a one-touch backup feature, and sport both USB and eSATA interfaces. Sadly, there's no mention of when we can expect to shell out for these eye-catchers, but it shouldn't be too much longer for those stationed in Korea.[Via AVing]
Western Digital rolls out 2TB My Book external hard drives
Just in case 1.5TB wasn't enough for you, Western Digital's now gone and topped off its entire range of dual-drive My Book external hard drives with a full 2TB of storage. That includes the My Book World Edition II, the My Book Pro Edition II, and My Book Premium Edition II models, each of which appear to be otherwise unchanged from their previous incarnations. Of course, all that storage excess doesn't exactly come cheap, with the 2TB versions of the drives running between $749 and $799 depending on the model.
Kanguru rolls out Eco Drive line of external hard drives
It's been quite a while since we last heard anything from Kanguru, but it looks like the company is still kickin' it in the hard drive business, now introducing its new Eco Drive line of power-saving external hard drives. Apparently, the drives make use of three different power saving modes to reduce power consumption by up to 75%, which the company says will also extend the life of the drive itself. Further adding to the drives' eco status is their RoHS compliance, which certifies that they contain a minimal amount of hazardous chemicals. Otherwise, the drives look to be pretty standard as far as USB drives go, available in sizes from 80GB to 750GB and costing between $95 and $350.
TrekStor intros 1TB external hard drive
Looks like TrekStor is the latest to join the increasingly less-exclusive terabyte club, with it recently introducing its 1TB DataStation duo w.u external USB hard drive. As you might be able to tell from its size, this one actually boasts two 500GB hard drives stacked on top of each other, although they'll apparently show up as a single 1TB drive on your computer. Otherwise, this one looks to be a pretty standard deal, boasting backup capabilities courtesy of the included Nero BackItUp2 Essentials software, and an aluminum housing that supposedly dissipates heat without the need for a fan. If that'll do, you can grab one of these now for a list price of $430.
Sarotech's Cutie Bio portable HDD sports fingerprint scanner
Cute though it may be, Sarotech's Cutie Bio portable hard drive is downright serious about data protection. Not one to let a lingering stranger peek beneath its dazzling shell, this pocket-friendly drive touts a built-in fingerprint scanner to protect the owner from spying eyes should it become lost or stolen. Additionally, the drive is built to handle drops and shocks as the head parks itself in freefall, and the USB 2.0 connection ensures speedy transfers when in a rush. Inside, you'll find a 2.5-inch 100GB hard drive just hankering for piles upon piles of juicy information, and this uber-protective device will run you ???150,000 ($162) whenever it lands in South Korea.[Via AVing]
Western Digital intros 250GB Passport hard drive
Western Digital has given a boost to its Passport line of external USB hard drives, today introducing a new 250GB model that makes the previous top-end 160GB drive look positively paltry in comparison. While the exact type of hard drive crammed in there isn't clear, like other Passport drives, it's most definitely of the 2.5-inch variety, with the entire enclosure measuring just 5.11 x 3.14 x 0.59 inches. You'll also get the usual complement of pre-loaded software, including Western Digital's WD Sync software and Google Desktop -- no Mac software here, although the drive itself will work just fine. If that'll do, you can get your drive now for an even $200.
Hitachi's external Easy Hard Drive reaches 1TB
It seems that Hitachi has been basking in the glory of releasing the world's first 1TB internal hard drive so long that it let a number of others leapfrog it in the external sector, but nevertheless, the company's Easy Hard Drive lineup has now hit the mark. Split into two offerings, the AC-powered External USB Storage device holds 500GB, 750GB, or a single 1TB HDD within a matte black case, and while we're sure it's total coincidence, we can't help but notice the eerie resemblance to the the Xbox 360 Elite. Moving on, the Portable USB Storage unit now holds 160GB, 200GB, or a full quarter-terabyte of space within a pocket-friendly enclosure that's entirely powered via USB. Both drives should be available right now if you're brave enough to enter a Best Buy, and while the portable drives will run you between $139.99 and $249.99 depending on size, the 1TB desktop drive's price still remains a mystery.[Via EverythingUSB]
LaCie's Ethernet Big Disk NAS hits 2TB
Now that just about everyone else has went and upped their NAS capacity to two whole terabytes, LaCie is strutting in fashionably late with its forthcoming 2TB Ethernet Big Disk. The 2- x 7- x 11-inch enclosure sports the typical metallic LaCie design scheme, plays nice with Windows, OS X, and Linux operating systems, and sports a web user interface that's apparently so easy a caveman (or your grandmother) could use it. The drive sports an Ethernet jack for connecting to a network, handles media streaming to UPnP-compatible devices, and packs a duo of USB ports that can be used to interface directly with a computer or for daisy-chaining another external HDD. Look for LaCie's 2TB NAS to land anytime for a stiff $1,099 here in the US.[Via TGDaily]
OWC crams 2TB into Mercury Elite-AL Pro Dual RAID HDD
Nearly two years ago we all stood in awe of OWC's 1TB Mercury Elite Pro Aluminum Dual RAID, and just a few days after the company announced its multifaceted Quad Interface variety, now its upping the ante again. The 2TB edition of the external HDD presumably packs a pair of Hitachi's 7K1000 drives into an enclosure no bigger than any other twin-stuffed unit, and provides data transfer rates of over 80Mbps. The RAID 0 array is reportedly "designed to meet the performance demands of video and audio production," and while it's not exactly implied, to put a solid dent in your wallet as well. The drive connects up via USB 2.0 or FireWire 400 / 800, and can be snapped up now if you're willing to hand over $1,099.99.[Via MacMinute]
TrekStor MovieStation maxi t.u media-centric hard drive
We know, no one likes paying extra for those built-in backup features that you reckon are just as easily handled by your own diligence, but TrekStor's latest external hard drive boasts even more fanciness for your hard-earned buck. Aside from coming bundled with Nero's BackItUp2 Essentials, the dashing aluminum drive packs an infrared remote, AV adapter, USB 2.0 connectivity, and a front-panel full of media-centric playback controls for times when the remote mysteriously vanishes. The unit was designed to capture your video files, pictures, and other multimedia, and then plug right in to any television for instant, painless viewing / listening. Additionally, it plays nice with OS X, Linux, and nearly every flavor of Windows, and handles MPEG1/2/4, AVI, DivX, XviD, MP3, WMA, WAV, and OGG file formats all on its own. HD freaks aren't forgotten either, as 720p / 1080i is also in the cards thanks to its component output capabilities, and the optical digital audio output can even pipe surround sound from the HDD to your AV system. The MovieStation maxi t.u comes in 250GB, 320GB, 400GB, and half terabyte sizes, but unfortunately, no pricing deets were readily available just yet. [Warning: PDF read link][Via SvartLinks]
Buffalo intros 1TB / 2TB DriveStation Quattro hard drives
Nah, Buffalo's latest don't sport a gigabit Ethernet connection, but the 1TB HD-Q1.0TSU2/R5 and 2TB HD-Q2.0TSU2/R5 external hard drives do feature both USB 2.0 and eSATA options. The Quattro drives are the outfit's newest additions to the DriveStation lineup, and aside from offering up terabytes of stores in RAID scenarios, it also sports SecureLockWare for automatic encryption, Memeo AutoBackup, and near silent operation. Each unit touts four 7,200 RPM HDDs, RAID 0/1/5 and JBOD functionality, and just in case your PC doesn't play nice with eSATA just yet, it comes bundled with a "free" eSATA PCI card and back plate to get you going. Available right now, the 1TB flavor will run you $599, while you can double your capacity for an extra four Benjamins.[Via TechDigest]
