Seagate plays the 4TB card with its GoFlex Desk external HDD, shipping now for $250

That tangled mess of a backup solution feeling a little cramped? Yeah, join the crowd. Seagate’s looking to give you a dash of capaciousness — a dash that you could desperately used — with its newest desktop HDD. The GoFlex Desk line is about as sleek as it gets for a non-mobile drive, with 1/2/3/4TB options being made available. The stock model ships with USB 2.0 / 3.0 support, a required AC power adapter (blah) and support for OS X and Windows platforms. The entire unit weighs but 2.38 pounds and checks in at 6.22- x 4.88- x 1.73-inches; true to the GoFlex name, the lower base can actually be swapped out for those who’d prefer a different interface (you know, like FireWire or Thunderbolt), and there’s a four-LED capacity gauge on there as well. In our limited testing, we consistently saw USB 3.0 burst rates top 100MB/sec, while sustained transfers hovered closer to 60MB/sec. When used on a USB 2.0 rig, we saw reads and writes hover between 30MB/sec and 40MB/sec. As for pricing and availability? The 4TB flagship can be found right now at Seagate’s site for $249.99, while the GoFlex Desk for Mac — which touts both Firewire 800 and USB 2.0 — will be available in Apple stores by the end of the month. We’re told that Thunderbolt will be supported once that GoFlex adapter is let loose, but an ETA isn’t quite ready for public eyes.

Continue reading Seagate plays the 4TB card with its GoFlex Desk external HDD, shipping now for $250

Seagate plays the 4TB card with its GoFlex Desk external HDD, shipping now for $250 originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 07 Sep 2011 00:01:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Engadget’s back to school guide 2011: accessories

Welcome to Engadget’s Back to School guide! We know that this time of year can be pretty annoying and stressful for everyone, so we’re here to help out with the heartbreaking process of gadget buying for the school-aged crowd. Today, we’ve got a slew of accessories — and you can head to the Back to School hub to see the rest of the product guides as they’re added throughout the month. Be sure to keep checking back — at the end of the month we’ll be giving away a ton of the gear featured in our guides — and hit up the hub page right here!

Fall’s slowly, but surely creeping back in, and we bet you’ve already started to gather up the necessary gear for your return to the residence hall. Sure, you’ve got the basics covered, with a computer, smartphone, MP3 player and even a tablet at the ready. But wouldn’t it be nice to start the school year off in style with some handy accoutrements to trick out those digital crutches? Let’s face it, you’re going to need a lapdesk buffer zone between you and your laptop’s scorching heat for those countless hours spent churning out term papers. Or, an external hard drive, so you can store those full seasons of It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia and bring the late night funny to your stressed-out friends. However you manage to make it through the year and snag that 4.0 GPA, we’ve got a selection of accessorized aids to match your collegiate budget. Oh, and don’t forget, we’re giving away $3,000 worth of essential back to school gear to 15 readers, and you can be among the chosen few simply by dropping a comment below! Click on past the break to start browsing.

Continue reading Engadget’s back to school guide 2011: accessories

Engadget’s back to school guide 2011: accessories originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 29 Aug 2011 12:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Microsoft promises ‘robust’ USB 3.0 support in Windows 8

No points for calling this one, but Microsoft confirmed today that Windows 8 will indeed boast support for the USB 3.0 specification, and “robust” support at that. That includes not just the higher transfer speeds you’d expect, but the promise of better battery life thanks to the improved power management measures the specification allows. Naturally, Microsoft will also continue to support all of your less speedy USB devices, and says that it’s actually created a brand new Microsoft USB Test Tool (or MUTT) to ensure everything works without a hitch — it’s described as “1,000 devices on a USB thumb drive.” Head on past the break for a quick demo video.

Continue reading Microsoft promises ‘robust’ USB 3.0 support in Windows 8

Microsoft promises ‘robust’ USB 3.0 support in Windows 8 originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 22 Aug 2011 19:37:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ceton InfiniTV 4 USB tuner priced at $299, ships September 19th

Once its certification was official we knew a release date for the Ceton InfiniTV 4 USB was just around the corner, and today the company announced it expects to start shipping the external CableCARD TV tuners September 19th. Starting tomorrow, customers can preorder for $299 from Cannon PC and Fluid Digital, with other retailers like Amazon and Newegg getting stock later in September. Also, the price on the existing internal PCIe model has officially dropped to $299, no rebate necessary. The market is suddenly full of options for the HTPC enthusiast looking to get some premium cable TV channels on their Media Center PC, check the press release after the break and let us know if this one catches your eye.

Continue reading Ceton InfiniTV 4 USB tuner priced at $299, ships September 19th

Ceton InfiniTV 4 USB tuner priced at $299, ships September 19th originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 18 Aug 2011 13:13:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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AT&T USBConnect Momentum 4G and Mobile Hotspot Elevate 4G scheduled for August 21st launch

With it having been in the works for so long, it’s easy to forget that AT&T is ready to flip the switch on its sparkling-new LTE network virtually any second now. But Ma Bell is happy to remind us of its impending true 4G launch by announcing that its first two dedicated LTE devices, the USBConnect Momentum 4G and Mobile Hotspot Elevate 4G, are set to be sold in stores this upcoming Sunday. In addition, users of the USBConnect Adrenaline will be able to download a firmware update on August 26th that turns on its dormant LTE radio. The carrier also officially announced that its DataConnect plans will be offered for $50 per month for 5GB, with usage charges of $10 for each additional GB. Hold your horses, though — the units will be available for purchase and can be used on HSPA+ for now, but it doesn’t guarantee AT&T will activate the higher-speed 4G network next week. Nay, we may have to wait just a little longer before Ralph de la Vega pushes the big red button on his desk, but that day is not too distant.

Continue reading AT&T USBConnect Momentum 4G and Mobile Hotspot Elevate 4G scheduled for August 21st launch

AT&T USBConnect Momentum 4G and Mobile Hotspot Elevate 4G scheduled for August 21st launch originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 16 Aug 2011 12:39:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Apple’s OS X Lion USB sticks now available online, for $69

After more than a week’s worth of rumors and speculation, Apple has finally released its OS X Lion USB thumb drive, available now at its online store. This little stick offers a physical media alternative to Cupertino’s otherwise App Store-centric distribution model, providing access to OS X Lion for $69. One caveat, however, is that users who download the software via thumb drive won’t be able to re-install it using the recently released Lion Recovery Disk Assistant, but will have to rely upon the USB stick, instead. The other caveat, of course, is price, as just $29 will get you the exact same OS, via the App Store. To grab one for yourself, hit up the source link, below.

Apple’s OS X Lion USB sticks now available online, for $69 originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 16 Aug 2011 05:13:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ask Engadget: best 1TB+ USB 3.0 external drive on a budget?

We know you’ve got questions, and if you’re brave enough to ask the world for answers, here’s the outlet to do so. This week’s Ask Engadget inquiry is coming to us from Patrick, who can’t wait another day to start taking advantage of his newfangled blue USB port. If you’re looking to send in an inquiry of your own, drop us a line at ask [at] engadget [dawt] com.

“I just got a new laptop with a USB 3.0 port. I currently have a USB 2.0 external hard drive, but I would like to upgrade. First of all, is the speed boost really worth the money? Is there a speed difference between those that need external power and those that are powered through the USB cable? Looking for one that’s 1TB to 2TB, and my price range is about $150, give or take. Thanks!”

It’s certainly harder to come across a SuperSpeed bargain than a USB 2.0 bargain, but we’re sure there’s a few deals to be had. That said, reliability has to come into play here — any well-rounded suggestions for this fellow? Drop ’em in comments below!

Ask Engadget: best 1TB+ USB 3.0 external drive on a budget? originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 13 Aug 2011 22:29:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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SteelSeries Sensei mouse points at the moon, we concentrate on its finger

It’s been more than two years since SteelSeries unveiled its Xai and Kinzu gaming mice, but the peripheral maker has now returned with a brand new sword in hand — the sleek and presumably sage Sensei. The device, unveiled yesterday, is powered by a 32-bit ARM processor that can digest images at up to 12,000 frames per second and rocks up to 5,700 CPI, with a Double CPI option that extends to 11,400 DCPI, for users gaming across multiple screens. The ambidextrous controller also comes outfitted in a metal coating that won’t slip from your hands and connects to computers via a gold-plated USB. Best of all, PC gamers can use SteelSeries’ Engine software to customize their experience even further, with pre-set configurations and user profiles. The Sensei is slated for release next month, when it will retail for $90 (or €90). Click past the break for more details in the full press release.

Continue reading SteelSeries Sensei mouse points at the moon, we concentrate on its finger

SteelSeries Sensei mouse points at the moon, we concentrate on its finger originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 12 Aug 2011 07:20:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Philips Sonicare DiamondClean USB toothbrush to stay fresh at your desk

For the modern dental enthusiast, we present to you the Philips Sonicare DiamondClean USB toothbrush — because keeping your stank breath fresh at your computer is essential for early morning Skype calls. Long since gone are the days where brushing your teeth was limited to the bathroom. Nowadays, you’ll need to keep those chompers fresh no matter where you might find yourself, including (but not limited to): the computer lab at school, your home office, your boss’ office, or maybe even the Apple Store. Claiming up to 100 percent plaque removal and 44 percent more bristles, some are going so far as to call this £250 ($405) teeth gleamer the “iPod of toothbrushes.” Check out the full PR and the so fresh, so clean jam after the break.

Continue reading Philips Sonicare DiamondClean USB toothbrush to stay fresh at your desk

Philips Sonicare DiamondClean USB toothbrush to stay fresh at your desk originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 12 Aug 2011 01:41:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Revved up USB 3.0 carries 10 times the power of Thunderbolt

Wow. Those rockstars at the USB 3.0 promoter group haven’t taken the threat of Thunderbolt lying down. They’ve been working long into the night (we imagine) screaming “More Power!” and “Liiiiive, damn you, liiiive!”. In a press release, the group announces a new power delivery specification which will push USB 3.0’s limit from 4.5 watts all the way up to 100. You all of course remember that Thunderbolt’s maximum is a mere-by-comparison 10 watts. Brad Saunders, the promotion group’s chairman, believes that the new standard could enable USB 3.0 to supply a laptop with energy at the same time as it delivers data between your devices. (After all that time sponging off your laptop’s meager battery it’s about time your USB-powered foot warmer started returning the favor.) At the moment it’s only a specification and won’t be implemented until 2012 at the earliest, but this could just turn into an arms race of electrifying proportions.

Revved up USB 3.0 carries 10 times the power of Thunderbolt originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 11 Aug 2011 01:28:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink Slashdot, Thinq  |  sourceUSB 3.0 Promoter Group Press Release (.pdf)  | Email this | Comments