Mar 26

Ask Engadget: Best external hard drive enclosure?

Posted in: AskEngadget, external hard drive, ExternalHardDrive, Features, Today's Chili

No need to check your LCDs, folks — this is happening. This is this week’s rendition of Ask Engadget, and if you’d rather your own question be in this space next week, shoot us a good one at ask at engadget dawt com.

“Like any good geek, I have upgraded my MacBook’s hard disk many times, and have all the old 2.5-inch SATA disks sitting in a pile. I’d like to put them in a case, but the enclosures I see are either very expensive or look hideous and unreliable. I’d love to get some recommendations for dependable, fairly-priced portable enclosures; USB’s a must, but FireWire 400, then FireWire 800 then eSATA would be bonuses, as would any extra features.”

So, HDD upgraders — what kind of case (or cases) did you procure in order to keep using those displaced drives? Any great stories of success / failure? Let us know, would ya?

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Ask Engadget: Best external hard drive enclosure? originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 26 Mar 2009 22:41:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mar 05

Ask Engadget: Best external hard drive under $100?

Posted in: AskEngadget, external hard drive, ExternalHardDrive, Features, hard drive, HardDrive, storage, Today's Chili

Ask Engadget is back this week with yet another thoughtful reader-submitted question, and if you’d like your own inquiry to get some face time, just send one in to ask at engadget dawt com. Without further adieu, we’ll let Zach take it from here:

“So I need some extra storage because I’ve been going a little iTunes “crazy” lately and have been downloading gigabytes of albums, podcasts and movies. I’m looking for a reliable hard drive but at the same time, price is a key factor considering not a lot of money is available at the moment. I’m thinking 100GB or more should suffice. I don’t want to get roped into buying a crappy hard drive and have it die on me a week after using it. What’s the best one out there for around $100 or less? Thanks!”

We’ll go out on a limb here and assume he’s looking for USB 2.0 (sorry, FireWire 400), so let loose those opinions!

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Ask Engadget: Best external hard drive under $100? originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 05 Mar 2009 22:11:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Feb 05

IDrive Portable HDD backs your files up locally and online

Posted in: external hard drive, ExternalHardDrive, Today's Chili

Look, we feel your pain. There’s about a gazillion options when it comes to portable hard drives, but the IDrive Portable actually does differentiate itself from the masses in one particularly useful way. Aside from being the “thinnest and lightest portable USB drive in its class,” this 0.3 pound unit houses 320GB of space on a 5,400RPM HDD, and it plays nice with Windows / OS X machines. Predictably, it features a one-click backup option for storing precious data outside of your PC, but unlike the other guys, this one also includes the ability to backup online for yet another layer of protection. Of course, that online bit will run you up to $4.95 per month, but we have to say the interface looks pretty swank. Anywho, the device itself is listed as shipping within one to two days for $119.95, and all the nitty-gritty about the services is tucked away in the read link.

[Thanks, Chris]

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IDrive Portable HDD backs your files up locally and online originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 05 Feb 2009 17:08:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Jan 22

Apricorn introduces 1.5TB DVR Xpander, succeeds at making it ugly

Posted in: external hard drive, ExternalHardDrive, hard drive, HardDrive, Today's Chili

Apricorn’s DVR Xpanders have never been the prettiest bunch, but we would’ve thought a redesign was in order with the introduction of the 1.5TB model. Sadly, our hopes and dreams of a DVR attachment from the outfit that isn’t completely heinous have been decidedly crushed, as the latest edition is just as unsightly as prior models. Of course, it can hold up to 187.5 hours of HD content or 843 hours of SD material, not to mention its ability to connect via USB 2.0 or eSATA. So yeah, if all that matters to you is functionality (and not missing a single drama while out on that month-long vacation), we’d say the $239 asking price is totally reasonable.

[Via PCLaunches, thanks Vinit]

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Apricorn introduces 1.5TB DVR Xpander, succeeds at making it ugly originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 22 Jan 2009 15:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Jan 09

OWC tempts with 4-bay Mercury Rack Pro RAID solution

Posted in: external hard drive, ExternalHardDrive, Today's Chili

If OWC‘s latest and greatest external RAID drives are just too, um, unmountable for your tastes, how’s about this? The 4-bay Mercury Rack Pro features the increasingly familiar quad interface (USB 2.0, FireWire 400, FireWire 800 and eSATA) and supports up to four 2TB 3.5-inch SATA I / II hard drives, up to 128MB total data buffer, a variety of RAID options and ultra-quiet operation. Those looking to fill that one last 1U slot with oodles of storage room can buy in now for anywhere between $899.99 (2TB) and $1,499.99 (4TB).

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OWC tempts with 4-bay Mercury Rack Pro RAID solution originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 10 Jan 2009 00:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Jan 09

OWC intros dual-bay quad interface Mercury Elite-AL Pro RAID drives

Posted in: external hard drive, ExternalHardDrive, Today's Chili

OWC’s Mercury Elite-AL Pro hasn’t changed much since May of 2007 in terms of design, but the latest models offer up two bays for that sweet, succulent RAID action. The Mercury Elite-AL Pro Dual-Bay drive offers up four interface options (USB 2.0, eSATA, FireWire 400 and FireWire 800) and comes in an aircraft-grade brushed aluminum housing. Pre-configured models are available now from $219.99 (500GB) to 3TB ($499.99).

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OWC intros dual-bay quad interface Mercury Elite-AL Pro RAID drives originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 09 Jan 2009 07:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Jan 08

Clickfree gone wild at CES: 1TB drive, Mac support and online backup

Posted in: external hard drive, ExternalHardDrive, hard drive, HardDrive, Mac, os x, OsX, Today's Chili

Clickfree’s remarkably useful Transformer Cable isn’t the only new gear being announced from the outfit today — far from it, actually. For starters, it’s bringing a 1TB backup drive with its heralded auto backup functionality at $229.99. Next, we’ve got the entirely overpriced ($19.99) five-pack of DataGuard Clickfree DVDs, while the “automatic” Total Backup Clickfree DVDs ring up at just $14.99 for the same quantity. Potentially more notable is the notion that all Clickfree products are now Mac compatible so long as you’re using OS X 10.5 (Leopard) or higher and an Intel CPU. Moving on, we’re told that Clickfree Online Backup and Flash Backup are both slated to become a reality later this year for folks needing off-site / pocket-sized backup solutions. The full spill is hosted up just past the break, and trust us, it’s crowded down there.

Continue reading Clickfree gone wild at CES: 1TB drive, Mac support and online backup

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Clickfree gone wild at CES: 1TB drive, Mac support and online backup originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 08 Jan 2009 06:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Jan 06

LaCie breaks off quad-interface 2big Quadra RAID drive

Posted in: external hard drive, ExternalHardDrive, hard drive, HardDrive, storage, Today's Chili

LaCie already delivered two new pieces in its collection yesterday, but apparently the 2big Quadra simply demanded its very own day of promotion. The classically styled (thanks, Neil Poulton) drive arrives with twin bays for up to 3TB of storage and support for four RAID modes including the traditional RAID 0 / 1. Transfer speeds can hit up to 165MB/sec through eSATA (3Gbits/sec in RAID 0), and the the quadruple interface — USB 2.0, eSATA, FireWire 400 and FireWire 800 — means that whatever machine you happen upon will likely be equipped to handle it. Moreover, it’s fully compatible with Apple’s Time Machine software and comes bundled with Genie Backup Manager Pro / Intego Backup Manager Pro for those in need. It’ll be yours for the taking later this month (in 1TB, 2TB and 3TB sizes) starting at $299.99.

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LaCie breaks off quad-interface 2big Quadra RAID drive originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 06 Jan 2009 20:49:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Jan 06

Buffalo debuts stylish new MiniStation hard drives, NAS device

Posted in: external hard drive, ExternalHardDrive, hard drive, HardDrive, nas, Today's Chili

Buffalo’s hard drives and other devices haven’t always been the most eye-catching products out there, but the company looks to be making a respectable showing with its new MiniStation Cobalt drives, which pack all the features you’d expect in a stylish and apparently shock-resistant package. You can also get ’em in your choice of 160GB, 250GB, 320GB, or 500GB capacities (ranging in price from $80 to $170), and in your choice of the three different colors pictured above. Those that prefer of bit of networking with their storage will also soon be able to get their hands on Buffalo’s latest LinkStation NAS, the LinkStation Pro, which will be available in both 500GB and 1TB versions ($210 and $300, respectively), and includes Buffalo’s Web Access 2.0 feature, which will let you access your files via any web browser, among other standard NAS feature.

Read – PDAToday, Buffalo MiniStation Cobalt
Read – PDAToday, LinkStation Pro

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Buffalo debuts stylish new MiniStation hard drives, NAS device originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 06 Jan 2009 17:22:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Jan 06

WD pumps out My Passport for Mac / My Book Mac Edition

Posted in: Apple, external hard drive, ExternalHardDrive, hard drive, HardDrive, Mac, os x, OsX, Today's Chili

We’ll wager you didn’t know Macworld was going on today, did you? Pathetic jokes aside, Western Digital has lined up a pair of launches today in San Francisco to coincide with Apple’s final Macworld keynote, as we’re treated to the My Passport for Mac portable HDD and the My Book Mac Edition. Truthfully, the only real difference between these drives and their vanilla counterparts is the pre-format process; with these, they both come “pre-formatted for Mac,” saving you the tiresome task of converting ’em to HFS+ Journaled yourself. Additionally, these USB 2.0 drives are made to work “seamlessly” with Apple’s Time Machine backup software, and they’ll arrive in capacities including 320GB and 500GB (My Passport) / 1TB (My Book). Both units should be available now for between $129.99 and $179.99.

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WD pumps out My Passport for Mac / My Book Mac Edition originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 06 Jan 2009 15:44:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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