Toshiba puts 320GB into a 1.8″ frame

More data storage into a smaller package (see a recurring theme here?). Toshiba’s come out with their latest and greatest, get ready for new ipods. In order to accommodate your storage needs Toshiba has increased the platter density, improved energy efficiency, and data transfer rates. It spins at 5,400 rpm and has 16MB of cache. It even boasts greater durability than a traditional 2.5″ laptop drive. Look for the new drive secretly hiding in your gadgets next year.

Drop Hard Drives Much?

Here’s a product from A-Data Technology for those of you who are clumsy bastards. Drop proof (up to 1.2 meters) and water proof (up to 30 minutes of 1 meter depth), because when you drop your stuff it always hovers around that 1 meter mark, right? Otherwise you are just plain SOL. Hmm, I wonder what happens to the drive when idiots immediately plug in the drive after dunking it into water? Wet cable/connectors, add a bit of USB power and *poof, hard drive gets shorted out. But of course nobody’s that stupid right? I mean who drops their hard drive with precious data into a lake that’s only 1 meter deep then proceeds to plug it in immediately?

However, just in case “a laboratory certification which we do not guarantee that hard drive device, data, and housing would not be damaged with the usage at any condition or environment. Please do not drop, smash or splash on this product on purpose.” (last 2 sentences on the page) So much for independent testing. Guess I won’t buy one then.

Gadgets: Sexy Portable HD by Verbatim

Looking the part is half the battle (the other half is lasers). Nothing short of sexy, Verbatim offers up the Insight, a hot little number dressed in piano black. Comes in 2 flavors: 320gb and 500gb reasonably affordable for those willing to spend $20 for some added style. The little display shows it’s name (volume name I’m guessing) and available free space. A nice feature which does not require it be plugged in.

The good: style, lcd display, includes software, 5 year warranty.
The bad: speed (5400rpm with 8mb cache), price.

Here we go again …

Who’s got the bigger … notebook hard drive? I guess Western Digital has beaten the others to the punch. Enter 1 TB of storage goodness in a 2.5″ platform. Whaaat?! I’m still using a lowly 500GB in my desktop beast an now WD has come out with something even larger for my notebook? Perhaps it IS time to upgrade. I’ve barely filled up half of my 80GB laptop hard drive and along comes something to tempt my wallet. Shame on WD for trying to put me in the poor house with their lineup of storage solutions! I guess the only thing left is to wait for Seagate to come out with their version … and run out and buy it.

This USB will self destruct in 5 seconds …

If this doesn’t lock up government contracts, I don’t know what will. Ironkey has raised the bar when it comes to confidential data on USB flash drives. Their latest offering comes well protected in a metal casing that’s waterproof, tamper proof, and any other “proof” you can think of. Hardware encryption, optional virus/malware scanner, remote access and auto self destruct.

Wait, what?

Self destruct? As in blow it’s self up? Um, no. I’m guessing a built in self secure wipe chip built on to the circuit board. Although, I’m sure the “high ups” asked if that was an option. Hey, it’s even got Mac support … LOL. Ok, seriously, what soldier in the field, in his right mind uses a Mac?

“I’ve got the intel right here … on my Macbook” soldier #1
“What? How are we going to transfer to the data to my Vista laptop?” soldier #2
“err, no problem. Let’s visit the nearest Apple store! They can transfer the data, no problem!” soldier #1

Um, yeah. Good luck with that. Seriously though. Nobody in the field, uses a frickin Mac. The only Apple products dodging bullets is maybe an iPod.