USB Portable Hard Drive Guide

USB portable hard drive models have really caught on in the past two years. With laptops continually gaining in popularity, prices on the smaller hard drives used in them − and in many of the external portable drives − have plunged dramatically. A new breed of 2GB-plus, 1-inch mini-drives are also firing up this hot product category.

High-speed USB 2.0 is another reason that users are flocking to external portable drives. Fast data transfer rates make these drives terrific for all kinds of applications, including backup, storing large numbers of photos, and moving large video files.

USB external hard drives come in three basic disk sizes: 1, 2.5, or the standard 3.5 inches. The design also obviously affects the capacity of the disk, as well as often influencing the rotational speed of the drive.

Buying Tip #1 − 1-inch Drives:
Models using the 1-inch drives usually have a capacity from 2GB to 4GB. Rotational speed of the drive is most oftem 4,200 rpm, though the data transfer rate of USB 2.0 usually makes the rotational speed an insignificant factor. 1-inch drives are less expensive than other models, and are great for backing up critical files, keeping your e-mail with you (simply use the export function of your e-mail program), and storing photos. The 4GB models are great for storing your music collection and moving your tunes from laptop to PC.

Buying Tip #2 − 2.5-inch Drives:
USB portable hard drives with 2.5-inch disks are somewhat larger than the 1-inch models, often a bit larger than a pack of playing cards. Capacities vary from 20GB to as much as 100GB. These drives are often very fast, with rotational speeds as high as 7,200 rpm. They also cost a lot more than the smaller 2- to 4GB drives. These are perfect for backing up your laptop’s hard drive or storing large video/MPEG files and transferring them from laptop to laptop.

Buying Tip #3 − 3.5-inch Drives:
External hard drives that use standard desktop-sized 3.5-inch hard drives are usually not the first choice for mobile users. They are often less expensive to purchase than 2.5-inch drives, but can weigh more and are almost considerably larger. Desktop PC users find them useful because many have a single button that launches the backup automatically. Unless your budget is really tight, or you can get a terrific bargain and want to exercise your shoulders while you travel, stick with the smaller external units. Descubre los mejores 10 remedios caseros para curar los gases intestinales

SmartDisk FireLite 80GB

An 80GB, USB portable hard drive with USB 2.0 speed that fits in the palm of your hand. Durable and stylish with outstanding performance and capacity, FireLite offers the ultimate in a convenient, highly portable data storage solution. FireLite combines the best features of today’s hard drive designs into one package. Magnesium Alloy housing. Plug and Play compatible.

IOGEAR’s 2.5" USB 2.0

The 40GB ION Drive is the perfect solution for storing and protecting valuable documents, as well as audio, video and other high-volume media files. Slim and lightweight enough to easily accompany the mobile professional on any assignment. Data transfer rates of up to 480 Mbps. Backward compatible with USB 1.1. Hot swappable and Plug-n-Play. 3 year Limited Warranty.

Iomega 40GB 2.0/FireWire

Iomega 40GB USB Portable Hard Drive - provides both 2.0/FireWire connectivity. Don’t let its sleek design fool you! Even though the Iomega HDD 40GB portable hard drive is so small it can fit in your pocket, it packs a lot of punch.

SeaGate 2.5GB Drive

SeaGate’s 2.5GB USB 2.0 Pocket Hard Drive looks like a silver and black hockey puck with a diameter of 2.8 inches and a thickness of half an inch. Inside is a 3,200 rpm 1-inch drive. A 5GB model is also available. Powered directly from the USB port. The cord is ingeniously stowed. The inner part of the case rotates to expose the plug and cord. A quick turn of the case and the cord disappears again.

120GB Backup Drive

IOGEAR’s 3.5" Combo ION Drive is the perfect solution to backingup your entire systems hard drive. Never worry about a crash again. Attractive and small-footprint enclosure has both USB 2.0 and FireWire (a.k.a. iLink & IEEE 1394) compatibility. The ION Drive supports extremely high data transfer rates of up to 400 Mbps (FireWire) and 480 Mbps (USB 2.0) for blazing fast transfer of large multimedia files. It is also backward compatible with USB 1.1 specifications. Hot swappable and Plug-n-Play. The 3.5" USB 2.0 ION Drive is backed by IOGEAR’s 3 year Limited Warranty.