Verbatim announces today their new InSight Portable Hard Drive lineup which has a unqiue always-on display revealing the current amount of free space as well as a customizable drive name. And when they say it’s always on.. the 32 x 128 pixel really is always on – even if it’s not connected to a computer.

The InSight lineup is available in 320GB and 500GB storage capacities and includes Nero BackItUp Essentials data protection software for backing up your PC/data. Other features include a premium black finish, a measurement of 6 x 3.4 x 0.63 inches, a weight of 6 oz, and a 2.5 inch 5400RPM hard drive with 8MB of cache memory. The drive is USB 2.0 bus powered which means there’s no need for an external brick (AC adapter).

The 320GB InSight drive has a suggested price of $119.99 while the 500GB InSight drive has a suggested price of $149.99.

[Check it out]

Technorati Tags: Verbatim, Verbatim InSight Portable Hard Drive

Looking for small portable hard drives with interface options? You’ll want to check out Verbatim’s new SureFire lineup of portable hard drives. Housed in a durable black aluminum-extruded case, the SureFire hard drive comes with one USB 2.0 port and one FireWire 800 port. Best of all – the drive is bus powered which means no AC adapter is required.

The drives will be available in 250GB, 320GB, and 500GB storage capacities with Verbatim utilizing 2.5 inch 5400RPM hard drives – each with 8MB caches. The drives measure 3.13 x 5 x 0.66 inches and weigh a mere 0.41 pounds.

Expect the 250GB version to be available for $109.99, the 320GB version for $139.99, and the 500GB version for $179.99. Each package comes with the hard drive, FireWire 800-800, FireWire 800-400, USB 2.0, and USB power cables, and a carrying case.

[Check it out at the Apple Store]

Technorati Tags: Verbatim SureFire Portable Hard Drive,

Western Digital released an updated version of their My Book World Edition network storage drive designed to address the ever growing needs of today’s home networks. The new network-connected drive is available in either 1 or 2 terabyte configurations and will automatically (and continuously) back up all PCs and Macs connected on a home network. Any changes to files on the computers will also be automatically backed up to the drive.

The My Book World Edition also acts as a media server to any DLNA compatible media player device such as the Xbox 360, and Sony PlayStation 3.

Other features of the My Book World Edition include:

• Simple file recovery for lost or damaged files
• Works with both PCs and Macs
• DLNA 1.5 and UPnP certification
• iTunes  Music Server software
• USB 2.0 Utility Port allows users to connect a USB drive and turn it into an instant network drive or add additional capacity to the My Book
• Capacity gauge to see how much space is available on the drive
• Gigabit Ethernet

The 1 terabyte drive is available now with the 2 terabyte drive expected later this month. The 1TB drive retails for $229.99 while the upcoming 2TB drive will retail for $449.99.

[Check it out]

Technorati Tags: Western Digital, My Book World Edition, NAS

Wish your DVR set-top box had a lot more storage space? Sick of losing that HD program recorded earlier in the week? Well here comes Apricorn to the rescue with their new 1.5TB DVR Xpander – the highest capacity DVR external hard drive available on the market.

Featuring a dual eSATA/USB 2.0 interface, the DVR Xpander 1.5TB external drive can provide up to 843 hours of standard programming or up to 187.5 hours of HD programming to your DVR. Yes, that does mean you can record a single HD station for over 7 days straight!

Other storage capacities options are 500GB, 750GB, and 1TB with each drive supporting a wide array of DVRs including the popular Scientific Atlanta 8300 series DVR and the DISH Network ViP Series HD DVRs.

Finally, these DVR Xpander drives are rather affording. The prices are as follows: 500GB for $119. 750GB for $149. 1TB for $179 and 1.5TB for $239.

[Check it out]

Technorati Tags: Apricorn 1.5 TB DVR Xpander, DVR, External Hard Drive

Verbatim announces two new quad interface Desktop Hard Drives today – a 500GB and a 1TB model. Yes, I have to admit that I said the following – “I didn’t know Verbatim made external hard drives”. Apparently they do!

The new models feature USB 2.0, FireWire 400, FireWire 800, and eSATA II interfaces – plenty of flexibility especially for individuals needing fast interfaces for jobs such as audio/video work. Other specs to the new drives include:

• Measures 8.7 x 5.9 x 1.5 inches and weighs 3.3 lbs
• 3.5 inch 7200 RPM drive
• 32MB cache memory
• Silent cooling fan
• Bus powered drive
• Includes Nero BackItUp2 Essentials software

Both models are available now with the 500GB model going for $179.99 and the 1TB model going for $249.99.

Technorati Tags: Verbatim, Desktop Hard Drives, Quad interface hard drive

Toshiba this week introduced a new 400GB USB 2.0 Portable External Hard Drive. The 400GB drive joins a product lineup that already has 160GB, 250GB, and 320GB storage capacities and features the same glossy finish and contemporary graphics found in the other drives. A new Electric Blue and Black design joins the existing designs which consist of Carbon Grey, Hot Rod Red, and Gecko Green. Other features and specs include:

• Measures 0.65 x 3.19 x 5 inches and weighs 6 oz
• USB 2.0
• Compatible with Windows 2000, XP, Vista, OS X 10.3.9 or later
• Features NTI Shadow software for backup solution

You can purchase the drive now for $179.99 after a $20 instant rebate.

[Check it out]

Technorati Tags: Toshiba, 400GB USB 2.0 Portable External Hard Drive

This could be the perfect addition to owners of netbooks – it’s the new Buffalo Technology MiniStation Shinobi 1.8 inch portable hard drive. This super thin external hard drive measures a mere 5mm (or 0.2 inches) thick and includes easy-to-use backup software, mobile applications (such as Firefox and Thunderbird), and Buffalo’s SecureLockMobile software to prevent peeping toms from looking at your data.

The MiniStation Shinobi also comes with a self contained cable management system (handy for us mobile professionals – we need a little management in our lives!) and is compatible with both Windows and Mac OS X systems.

The MiniStation Shinobi will be available in October in two sizes – a 30GB drive for $119.99 and a 60GB drive for $169.99.

[Check it out]

Technorati Tags: Buffalo Technology, MiniStation Shinobi, portable hard drive

Dell is taking a page out of Apple’s business model by introducing a new line of bags and accessories dubbed “Designed for Dell”. These are products designed by third party manufacturers that complement the latest Dell PCs such as the Studio laptops that were recently introduced. This is Dell’s attempt to create an industry similar to what we’ve seen with Apple’s iPod/iPhone product line – third party products that accentuate the capabilities of the main product. In this case, we’ve got the new Dell Studio notebook which is just begging for matching case designs, cool looking speakers, hard drives for more storage space, and funky mice. Current manufacturers participating in the Designed for Dell program include:

• Belkin: Backpacks and messenger cases
• Built: Computer sleeves, cargo bags and portfolios
• Creative Labs: Headphones and speakers
• Iomega: Portable hard drives
• Logitech: Mice
• Swiss Gear: Backpacks
• Targus: Messenger cases and accessories bundles

[Check it out]

Technorati Tags: Dell, Designed for Dell, Belkin, Built, Creative Labs, Iomega, Logitech, Swiss Gear, Targus

Need a small form factor external hard drive with lots of storage space? Check out the LaCie Little Big Disk Quadra (boy.. that name is begging for jokes if you ask me). The “Little Big” comes in 400GB, 500GB, and 1TB storage capacities and features a four interfaces – eSATA, FireWire 800, FireWire 400 and USB 2.0.  Other features include built-in RAID 0, firewire bus-powered, and heat sink aluminum design. This drive is compatible with PCs and Macs as well as Apple’s Time Machine application. The 400GB model sells for $429.99 (same price as the 500GB although the 400GB is a 7200RPM drive). The 1TB drive is $699.99.

[Check it out via Tech Digest]

Technorati Tags: LaCie Little Big Disk Quadra,

Addonics has announced a new line of hard drive enclosures called the “Snap-In” series which allows users to hot swap hard drives by simply popping out the drives. Three new products were introduced today – the Snap-In ExDrive25, the Snap-In Double Drive, and the Zebra Snap-In Mobile Rack.

The Snap-In ExDrive25 is a portable 2.5 inch hard drive enclosure which allows users to install a 2.5 inch notebook hard drive without any tools or mounting screws. Simply “snap” in the hard drive and you’re all set. The ExDrive25 has an aluminum body and connects to your desktop or notebooks via your choice of either a USB 2.0 connector or an eSATA connector. Features include:

• Easy installation and removal of hard drive without any special tool or mounting screws
• Built-in eSATA and USB 2.0/1.1 interface to computer
• Compatible with any 2.5″ SATA hard drives of 9mm – 9.5mm height
• Sturdy aluminum construction with patented interior anti-shock protection system
• LEDs on both sides of the enclosure for power indication and hard drive activity
• Weight less than 5 oz.
• Compact size for convenient transportation
• USB Y cable with dual USB Type B connectors to support 7200RPM drives with higher power requirements
• Hot swappable
• Plug and play
• OS support –
  • USB connection – Windows 98SE, Me, 2000, XP, Vista, Linux (Kernel 2.4 and above), Mac OS X and above
  • eSATA connection – DOS, Windows NT, 98SE, Me, 2000, XP, Vista, Linux (Kernel 2.4 and above), Mac OS X and above, Solaris 10 and above.

The 2.5 inch Snap-In ExDrive costs $29 dollars with an optional AC/DC 5.0V power adapter at $15 dollars.

The Snap-In Double Drive allows users to install two 2.5 inch SATA hard drives in a single 3.5 inch bay. Users can install or remote hard drives from the enclosure simply by “snapping” open the door and pushing or pulling the drive. Features include:

• Installs into standard 3.5″ drive bay
• Easy insertion and removal of hard drive without any tool or mounting screws.
• Two drive slots to accommodate up to two 2.5″ SATA 1.5Gbps or SATA 3Gbps hard drives
• Sturdy steel construction
• LEDs for power and drive activity
• Supports hot swap (when connects to controller with this feature)
• Plug and play
• DOS, Windows 98SE, Me, NT, 2000, XP, Vista, Linux (Kernel 2.4 and above), Solaris 10 and above, Mac OS X and above

The Double Drive will run you $39 dollars.

Finally, the Zebra Snap-In Mobile Rack is similar to the ExDrive25 except the Zebra model supports 3.5 inch SATA hard drives. You can choose between an eSATA interface model or a combination USB/eSATA interface model. Features include:

• Supports any 3.5″ SATA hard drives
• Hot swap hard drives
• Choice of eSATA or eSATA /USB combo interface
• black color bezel
• Rugged steel construction for rough handling and fast cooling
• Point to point Serial ATA connection (no cable to connect hard drive to enclosure)
• Suspension mount to protect against vibration and shock
• Key lock to secure hard drive
• Compact size for convenient transportation
• Rear mount 40×40mm cooling fan
• LED for drive access and power
• Plug and play
• Stereo ear phone jack
• Bootable under DOS
• Simple installation
• OS Compatibility:
  • Zebra eSATA Model: DOS, Windows 98SE, Me, NT, 2000, XP, Vista, Linux (Kernel 2.4 and above), Solaris 10, Mac OS X 10.4.x
  • Zebra eSATA / USB 2.0 Combo: DOS, Windows 98SE, Me, NT, 2000, XP, Vista, Linux (Kernel 2.4 and above), Solaris 10, Mac OS X 10.4.x

The Zebra Snap-In Mobile Rack with an eSATA interface will cost $69.99 while the dual USB/eSATA interface model will cost $77 dollars.

Technorati Tags: Addonics, Snap-In ExDrive25, Snap-In Double Drive, Zebra Snap-In Mobile Rack