Western Digital refreshes MyBook external HDDs, offers 4TB for $180

DNP WD Mybook

If you recently put off snapping up some external storage, consider it good timing: Western Digital has refreshed its whole My Book line. While a 1TB option is now out of the picture, the external hard drives are still available in 2TB, 3TB and 4TB versions, although the Mac varieties are capped at 3TB. They retail for $130, $150 and $180, respectively — in comparison, the original 4TB drive cost $250 when it debuted. Other than these changes, the HDDs mirror many of their predecessors’ features, including their USB 3.0 connection, auto-backup software with hardware encryption, password protection, Dropbox integration and Time Machine compatibility for Mac. Those who prefer the Studio line’s aluminum finish might shrug this news off, but those who’d like a regular My Book can snag one from Western Digital’s online store or from select retailers.

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Source: Western Digital store

Major Nelson: Xbox One won’t support external storage at launch

Major Nelson Xbox One won't support external storage at launch

We hope you weren’t counting on using the Xbox One’s USB ports for external storage from day one; as it turns out, you’ll likely have to be patient. Speaking at the PAX Prime expo this weekend, Microsoft’s Larry Hryb (aka Major Nelson) mentioned that external drive support wouldn’t be available at launch because the Xbox team was “working on other things.” It’s not certain when the feature will arrive, Hryb says. We’ve reached out to Microsoft to verify the statement. If it’s accurate, though, you’ll want to be cautious when filling the Xbox One’s built-in 500GB drive with Xbox Game Store downloads.

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Via: Ars Technica

Source: Major Nelson

Toshiba Canvio Connect drive backs up mobile devices through Pogoplug

Toshiba Canvio Connect drive backs up smartphones, shares files remotely

While we’re used to connected hard drives that share their contents with phones and tablets, the reverse isn’t common — why don’t many of these drives safeguard our mobile content from the start? Toshiba is as baffled as we are, so it’s launching its Canvio Connect portable drive with handheld access in mind. While the USB 3.0 disk has no built-in networking of its own, a software bundle for Macs and PCs (we’ve confirmed that it’s Pogoplug) lets travelers back up photos and videos from their Android and iOS devices, reach the drive’s files through the internet and partake in 10GB of free cloud storage. The new Canvio can also serve as a traditional external drive for computers, although it’s still improved in that space when the enclosure is about a third shorter than that of its predecessors. Toshiba expects the mobile-savvy Connect to arrive in mid-May at prices ranging from $99 for a 500GB model through to $190 for a 2TB version.

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Source: Toshiba

WD SmartWare Pro automates backups to both Dropbox and external drives

WD SmartWare Pro streamlines backups to both external drives and Dropbox

We’re used to external hard drive makers offering some kind of backup software to add value, although it’s usually forgettable for the experienced users among us — what we erase while we’re busy setting up Windows 8 File History, Time Machine or a cloud service. Western Digital thinks some cloud integration of its own will get us looking at its new, standalone WD SmartWare Pro app. While the client can automatically back up file changes to a local drive as they happen, it can also schedule backups to both the drive and a Dropbox account. The extra-cautious can backup that Dropbox account to the external disk, and the whole affair isn’t limited to the company’s MyBook drives, either; just about any old USB storage will do. It will cost a minimum of $30 ($20 on sale) for a three-computer SmartWare Pro license, but those who want both physical and cloud-based safety nets might consider the money well-spent.

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Source: Western Digital

Toshiba unveils 2TB Canvio Basics and Special Edition portable drives

Toshiba unveils 2TB Canvio Basics and Special Edition portable drives

It’s still not all that easy to track down a 2TB portable drive. Thankfully, Toshiba is making that extra-large capacity more ubiquitous by shipping an upgrade to its Canvio line of USB 3.0 disks. Both the no-frills Canvio Basics 3.0 and a Canvio Special Edition with a backup software bundle now carry 2TB inside, up from 1.5TB half a year ago. Not satisfied with just the storage boost? You might be with the price: the 2TB Canvio Basics’ $190 starting point is lower than what its WD competition reached when new, and the $220 official price for a Special Edition (we’re already seeing $190 at Best Buy) isn’t that much of a stretch.

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Toshiba Expands Canvio Basics 3.0 Line And Introduces Canvio Special Edition Portable Hard Drive

Canvio Basics 3.0 Portable Hard Drives Now Offer Up to 2TB of Storage; Canvio Special Edition Portable Hard Drive Now Available

IRVINE, Calif., Jan. 28, 2013 /PRNewswire/ –Toshiba’s Digital Products Division (DPD), a division of Toshiba America Information Systems, Inc., today announced the addition of new two terabyte offerings to its Canvio storage lineup, including a 2TB Canvio(R) Basics 3.0 portable hard drive and a 2TB Canvio Special Edition portable hard drive.

“We understand that consumers have varying capacity needs and we strive to provide solutions that match differing requirements,” said Maciek Brzeski , vice president of product marketing and development of branded storage products, Toshiba America Information Systems, Inc., Digital Products Division. “Our new 2TB solutions now provide our customers that are looking for basic functionality with an increased storage capacity, as the most basic users are continuing to grow an expansive digital library.”

Canvio Basics 3.0: Storage in a Box

Toshiba’s simplest storage solution, the Canvio Basics 3.0, is now available in a 2TB capacity, which can store up to 571,000 digital photos, 526,000 digital music files or 1,640 downloaded digital movies. As with the rest of the offerings within the Canvio Basics 3.0 line, software setup is not necessary.

Consumers are able to use this solution right out of the box and begin saving their digital files by simply connecting it to their PC. The Canvio Basics 3.0 supports USB 3.0 for rapid transfer speeds, is backwards compatible with USB 2.0 and is also equipped with a special internal shock sensor and ramp loading technology to keep consumers’ digital files safe against accidental drops.

Canvio Special Edition Portable Hard Drive

Toshiba’s Canvio Special Edition Portable Hard Drive provides users with spacious storage capacity and a complete, yet simple-to-use backup solution. The included NTI(R) Backup Now EZ[TM] software makes backing up systems fast and simple, and provides users with the option of backing up their digital files to the cloud, backing up their files and folders to their Canvio portable hard drive, backing up everything saved on their PC, or doing all three for the most comprehensive coverage.
Pricing and Availability

The 2TB Toshiba Canvio Basics 3.0 portable hard drive is available for purchase for $189.99 MSRP[4] in select retail locations and on ToshibaDirect.com.

The 2TB Toshiba Canvio Special Edition portable hard drive is available for $219.99 MSRP exclusively at Best Buy and BestBuy.com.

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Source: Toshiba, Best Buy

Rocstor unveils three ruggedized pocket drives at CES: Amphibious X5, Hawker HX and Lancer LX

Rocstor unveils three ruggedized pocket drives at CES Amphibous X5, Hawker HX and Lancer LX to arrive later this month

We’ve seen quite a few external enclosures trotted out at CES already and now Rocstor’s looking to reveal its cards. The company has announced three ruggedized pocket drives: the Amphibious X5, Hawker HX and Lancer LX. Following up last year’s X7, this year’s Amphibious model casts off the Smart Card while keeping the AES-256 encryption and both FIPS and NIST Cryptographic Engine validation with single-factor authentication. USB and FireWire connections return for the key-code unlocking unit in 64GB to 512GB SSD options and HDD varieties ranging from 250GB to 1TB. The Hawker HX keeps all of the above listed specs except for the FireWire connections and the pass code access. Finally, the Lancer LX scraps the super secure internals, but brings back FireWire — adding a second port to boot — and touts 64GB to 256GB SDD and 500GB to 1TB HDD models. All three offerings sport aluminum-clad, shock-absorbing ruggedized frames and will arrive this month. No word on pricing for any of the trio yet, though.

Continue reading Rocstor unveils three ruggedized pocket drives at CES: Amphibious X5, Hawker HX and Lancer LX

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Source: Rocstor (1), (2), (3)

G-Technology updates G-Drive mini and G-Raid mini with 1TB HGST Travelstar hard drives

GTechnology updates GDrive mini and GRaid mini with 1TB Hitachi Travelstar hard drives

G-Technology’s G-Drive mini and G-Raid mini have been around for a bit, but the storage brand is taking the opportunity at CES to update the duo with Hitachi’s (HGST) Travelstar hard drives. Both external storage repositories are set to get the 1TB 7,200 RPM 2.5-inch components that notch the measuring tape 9.5mm. The G-Drive mini is now available for $200 sporting one of the drives, USB 3.0 and Firewire 800 connections. Dual-wielding the Travelstar, the G-Raid mini touts 2TB capacity while remaining Firewire bus powered during USB 3.0 transfers, RAID configurability and is scheduled to arrive in Q1 for $450. A few more details about each model awaits in the full PR below.

Continue reading G-Technology updates G-Drive mini and G-Raid mini with 1TB HGST Travelstar hard drives

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Source: G-Technology

HGST outs Touro Mobile Pro external hard drive and Travelstar 2.5-inch HDD

Hitachi Storage HGST outs Touro Mobile Pro external hard drive and Travelstar 25inch HDD

Here at CES, HGST (Hitachi Storage) has announced two storage options that look to immediately get cozy in your workflow. First, the “industry’s first” 1TB 7,200 RPM 2.5-inch Travelstar HDD measures 9.5mm and looks to boost performance over 5,400 RPM models for $100. If an external storage solution is more your style, the Touro Mobile Pro houses one of the aforementioned 1TB hard drives with USB 3.0 connectivity, two-level protection and 3GB of could storage. The Touro will set you back $109 and like the Travelstar, is available now. Need to check the fine print before committing? Consult the full announcement that follows after the break.

(We’re waiting on official images from HGST and will update this post as soon as they arrive.)

Continue reading HGST outs Touro Mobile Pro external hard drive and Travelstar 2.5-inch HDD

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Source: HGST

VMultra bundles USB hub, DVD drive, SD slot and 500GB HDD to form ultimate laptop peripheral

Fourinone VMultra bundles USB hub, DVD drive, SD slot and 500GB, promises to be ultimate laptop peripheral

While Velocity Micro announced the VMultra earlier this year at CES, it’s only now ready for primetime. The VMultra combines a USB hub, an SD card slot, a DVD±RW drive and 500GB of storage into a surprisingly slim package that connects to any computer via USB 3.0. If you like, you can even fit your own 2.5-inch hard drive in the SATA III bay. You’ll have to take out the included 500GB HDD first of course. The company intends this to be a “perfect all-in-one peripheral,” especially for notebook travelers looking to lighten their luggage; perhaps to make room for things like “clothes.” Each VMultra will cost you $199.99 and will ship starting November 12th.

For those who prefer desktops, Velocity Micro also announced a $599 holiday edition of its Vector PC that runs on a dual-core AMD A6-5400k processor and 8GB of DDR3 RAM in the same press release, which you can peek at after the break.

Continue reading VMultra bundles USB hub, DVD drive, SD slot and 500GB HDD to form ultimate laptop peripheral

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VMultra bundles USB hub, DVD drive, SD slot and 500GB HDD to form ultimate laptop peripheral originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 09 Nov 2012 00:46:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |  sourceVelocity Micro  | Email this | Comments

LaCie intros Porsche Design drive for Macs with SSD and USB 3.0, helps the speed match the name

LaCie intros Porsche Design drive for Macs with SSD and USB 30, helps the speed match the name

Porsche Design may not be directly involved in building German supercars, but there are certain expectations to be met, aren’t there? LaCie is rolling out a new version of its Porsche Design hard drive skewed towards Mac owners that should offer more of the performance you’d associate with the automotive brand. The P’9223 Slim SSD is a third thinner than its ancestor but carries the option of a 120GB SSD that makes the most of the USB 3.0 port. If all runs well, nearly any Mac launched in 2012 can shuttle data along at a brisk 400MB per second. Demanding Mac fans will need to pay $150 for the flash-based edition to have the P’9223 feel truly Porsche-like; others only have to spend $100 if they’re content with the Volkswagen pace of a 500GB spinning drive.

Continue reading LaCie intros Porsche Design drive for Macs with SSD and USB 3.0, helps the speed match the name

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LaCie intros Porsche Design drive for Macs with SSD and USB 3.0, helps the speed match the name originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 24 Oct 2012 21:53:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |  sourceLaCie  | Email this | Comments