Toshiba outs Canvio Slim portable drive: 500GB, $115 and just 9mm thick

Toshiba reaches out to the Ultrabook set with a 9mmthick Canvio Slim portable hard drive

It turns out that if you take an Ultrabook-style 7mm hard drive and put it in a sleek enclosure, you end up with a portable HDD that’s barely any bigger, thicker or heavier than a smartphone. Toshiba guessed this might happen, and so it came up with a new addition to its Canvio range: the Canvio Slim, which sports 500GB of PC- and Mac-compatible luggage room, uses a single USB 3.0 connection for data and power, and is encased in either “graphite-black” or silver brushed aluminum. Look for it in stores from October priced around $115, including a three-year warranty.

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Toshiba outs Canvio Slim portable drive: 500GB, $115 and just 9mm thick originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 24 Sep 2012 10:22:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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[REVIEW] 3 Brando USB 3.0 hubs tested

We agree with Brando’s claim when they say USB 3.0 is poised to become mainstream. The company sent us 3 hubs to play around with and check if they are worth their salt.
These USB 3.0 4-Port Hubs are all offering 4 extension ports (backwards compatible with both USB 1.1 and USB 2.0). All three devices are compatible with both PC and MAC, except for the square model (middle one in photo above) they come with an additional power supply.
 
Why could you use one?
Good question! First off the …

Hands-on with Kingston’s DataTraveler Workspace at IDF (video)

Handson with Kingston's DataTraveler Workspace at IDF video

What’s this? Just another USB 3.0 thumbdrive at IDF 2012? Not quite. You’re looking at Kingston’s DataTraveler Workspace, a storage device that incorporates bona fide SSD technology not usually found in thumbdrives — like a bunch of ultra speedy flash memory and a SandForce controller that supports TRIM and S.M.A.R.T commands. As such, it shares more in common with Kingston’s line of SSDs. It’s not really designed for data storage — instead, it’s meant to be used as a certified Windows To Go fixed drive, “a fully manageable corporate Windows 8 workspace on a specially configured, bootable USB drive”.

The idea is that corporate IT can deploy these thumbdrives to employees who can then run a secure, managed instance of Windows on a variety of PCs with a bootable USB 2.0 (or faster) port. Another interesting feature of Windows To Go is that Kingston’s DT Workspace thumbdrives can be removed for up to 1 minute without crashing Windows — the OS simply alerts the user to “keep the USB drive plugged in” and continues where it left off. Pricing remains a mystery, but the device will be available for business customers in 32, 64 and 128GB capacities when Windows 8 launches. Until then, you’re invited to peek at the gallery below and to watch our hands-on video past the break.

Continue reading Hands-on with Kingston’s DataTraveler Workspace at IDF (video)

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Hands-on with Kingston’s DataTraveler Workspace at IDF (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 17 Sep 2012 06:07:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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DisplayLink shows off adapters and docks from HP, Lenovo, EVGA and Targus at IDF 2012

DisplayLink shows off new gear from HP, Lenovo, EVGA and Targus at IDF 2012

With the proliferation of Ultrabooks, laptops are shipping with fewer ports and smaller screens. One of the benficiaries of the streamlined designs is DisplayLink, whose technology can turn a single USB port into a bevy of connections. At IDF 2012, the company showed off new gear from several vendors, including EVGA, HP, Lenovo and Targus. First, there’s a handsome little puck from EVGA, called the UV Plus+39, that plugs into your laptop’s USB 2 or 3.0 socket to grant you HDMI and DVI output at up to 2048 x 1152 resolution for $85. Next up, Lenovo’s self-explanatory USB 3.0 to DVI adapter that supports the same max resolution as the Plus+39 for $80. Lastly, a pair of docks from Targus and HP. HP’s 3005pr USB 3.0 Port Replicator turns your laptop’s USB 3.0 port into four USB 2.0, two USB 3.0, one HDMI, DisplayPort, and RJ-45 jacks, plus audio in and out connections for a mere $150. Targus’ $250 USB 3.0 SuperSpeed Dual Video Docking Station has similar connectivity to HP’s solution, but swaps DisplayPort for DVI and adds the ability to charge 90W laptops using its included array of power adapters. Having trouble deciding which one’s for you? Perhaps our photos in the gallery below will help you decide.

Myriam Joire contributed to this report.

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DisplayLink shows off adapters and docks from HP, Lenovo, EVGA and Targus at IDF 2012 originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 15 Sep 2012 19:57:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Kensington updates DisplayLink universal laptop docks with USB 3.0

Kensington updates DisplayLink universal laptop docks with USB 30

Having somewhere to dock your laptop is insanely convenient. Of course, each manufacturer tends to have their own proprietary solution. And usually a different dock is needed for each model. Fun, right? Well, Kensington has their own universal solution that makes the most of the ubiquitous USB port and the unfortunately less ubiquitous DisplayLink. The company unleashed an update to its line of universal laptop docks today that takes advantage of the bonus bandwidth provided by USB 3.0. The Office Dock (sd3500v) and Home Dock (sd3000v) both offer USB 2.0 and 3.0 expansion slots, a gigabit Ethernet port, audio out as well as DVI and VGA ports for plugging in an external monitor. The Office dock ups the ante by supporting 5.1 surround sound via HDMI which, obviously, also gives you an additional video port option. Both are available now world wide, with the Home Dock retailing for $170, while its slightly more premium brother commands a $200 price tag. Check out the PR after the break.

Continue reading Kensington updates DisplayLink universal laptop docks with USB 3.0

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Kensington updates DisplayLink universal laptop docks with USB 3.0 originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 12 Sep 2012 02:15:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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iPhone 5: the rumor roundup

iPhone 2012 and iPhone 4S shells compared

We’re on the cusp of Apple’s sixth iPhone launch, and there’s very different expectations than there were last year. The 2011 rumor cycle left more than a few people burned: the later-than-usual October launch and repeated claims of a heavily-remade design led some to a disappointment when the iPhone 4S arrived, even though the final product had a slew of camera, speed and voice command upgrades. This year, the rumors have been grounded well before there was an event date in our hands.

There have been fewer instances of wild rumors. Instead, it’s been based more around pragmatism, using either tangible leaks or sources that have a solid track record. Think of the perennial leaks from the Wall Street Journal or the increasingly well-established sourcing from iMore and The Loop. Whether you’re conspiracy-minded or not, it’s been hard to ignore the sheer number of claims that have tamped down expectations rather than inflated them. It’s as though there’s a collective fear we’ll see a repeat of the 2011 hysteria and deal with fans (or detractors) complaining about missing features that were never promised in the first place.

Where last summer was full of uncertainty, this year there’s a mounting consensus as to what we’ll see, how we’ll get it, and when. Tracking everything that’s been mentioned may be a handful, however. With that in mind, we’ll dive in and gauge what’s likely to emerge from behind Apple’s curtain on September 12th — as well as what we can rule out from the get-go.

Continue reading iPhone 5: the rumor roundup

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iPhone 5: the rumor roundup originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 11 Sep 2012 10:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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LaCie 2big, 4big Quadra drives hop the USB 3.0 bandwagon, give Macs 12TB of speedy storage

LaCie 2big, 4big Quadra drives hop the USB 30 bandwagon, give Macs 12TB of speedy storage

LaCie has been sprucing up its smaller drives to handle a new crop of Macs that support USB 3.0. It’s now turn for the big boys to play. Updated versions of the 2big Quadra and 4big Quadra (not yet shown here) use the faster port to reach the potential of their high-capacity RAID arrays, peaking at either 210MB/s for the dual-drive 2big and 245MB/s for its quad-drive cousin. We’re not seeing a fundamental shakeup of the design apart from the higher speeds, although that’s not necessarily a problem given the FireWire 800 to catch legacy users and hot-swappable bays for future upgrades. Video editors and other storage mavens should just prepare themselves to pony up. The upgraded Quadra models will start at respective $499 (4TB) and $1,099 (8TB) prices when they ship in October, and they’re only poised to get more expensive when LaCie sets the costs for the higher-end 6TB and 12TB models.

Continue reading LaCie 2big, 4big Quadra drives hop the USB 3.0 bandwagon, give Macs 12TB of speedy storage

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LaCie 2big, 4big Quadra drives hop the USB 3.0 bandwagon, give Macs 12TB of speedy storage originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 07 Sep 2012 15:20:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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VIA EPIA-P910 stuffs 3D display support, quad-core into a Pico-ITX size

VIA EPIAP910 stuffs 3D display support, quadcore into a PicoITX size

If there’s been a race in the Pico-ITX realm to catch up to full-size PCs, VIA just leapt ahead by a few bounds with the EPIA-P910. The tiny PC mates one of VIA’s 1GHz QuadCore E-Series processors with a VX11H media core to handle the kinds of tasks that would break just about any other system its size: stereoscopic 3D displays and DirectX 11 3D graphics are entirely within the realm of possibility. Likewise, there’s a surprising amount of expansion headroom compared to many of the P910’s similarly small counterparts, such as the 8GB RAM ceiling and support for both HDMI 1.4a and USB 3.0. You’ll need to get in touch with VIA if you want to find out how much it costs to work the new EPIA into an embedded PC, and it’s more likely to be headed to corporate buyers than to homebrew projects. We’re still looking forward to the shot of visual adrenaline, whether it’s in a mini PC or a store display.

Continue reading VIA EPIA-P910 stuffs 3D display support, quad-core into a Pico-ITX size

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VIA EPIA-P910 stuffs 3D display support, quad-core into a Pico-ITX size originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 07 Sep 2012 01:44:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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WD My Passport offers slick storage for Macs and PCs

Western Digital has launched a new range of compact external storage, the My Passport Edge, for PC and Mac users, promising high-speed connectivity and up to 500GB of capacity. The new, pocket-scale drives rely on USB 3.0 for their hook-up, handy given Apple has succumbed to the port for its 2012 MacBook Pro and MacBook Air line-ups, and come clad in aluminum for extra resilience.

Although the internal hardware of both models is roughly identical, there are some slight differences to design, packaging and bundled apps. The My Passport Edge for Mac has an all-aluminum housing to match Apple’s notebooks, and is Time Machine compatible for easier backups.

In contrast, the My Passport Edge for PC users looks slightly different, and comes with WD SmartWare auto-backup software. Both have 500GB drives inside, and are bus-powered so you won’t need to drag around a separate power adapter.

Unfortunately, the extra glitz for the Mac model means it’s slightly more expensive. The WD My Passport Edge for Mac comes in at $119.99, while the PC version is $10 cheaper.

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WD My Passport offers slick storage for Macs and PCs is written by Chris Davies & originally posted on SlashGear.
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Western Digital outs My Passport Edge portable hard drives, offers both PC and Mac varieties

Western Digital outs My Passport Edge portable hard drives, offers both PC and Mac varieties

New portable storage options from Western Digital are breaking cover once again. This time around, the outfit has announced the My Passport Edge and My Passport Edge for Mac. These external hard drives tout USB 3.0 connectivity and 500GB capacities for packing those work files or carrying that Springsteen collection with you at all times. As the name of the Apple-labeled option suggests, it’s well suited for your MacBook and works alongside Time Machine right out of the box — all from the comforts of an aluminum shell. The premium exterior and Mac-friendly tech will cost you a bit more, though, as this version is priced at $119 while the regular offering will set you back $109. If you’re looking to save a few bones and don’t mind a plastic housing, you can take solace in the fact that the PC unit features an automatic backup function thanks to WD’s SmartWare. The pair is available now, but if you’re looking for a bit more info, consult the full PR below.

Continue reading Western Digital outs My Passport Edge portable hard drives, offers both PC and Mac varieties

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Western Digital outs My Passport Edge portable hard drives, offers both PC and Mac varieties originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 06 Sep 2012 08:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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