Toshiba 500GB 2.5-inch Portable USB 2.0 Hard Drive

MJ

at 12:38 am

I’ve been using this hard drive for over 2 months. So far it has worked without problems, connected first time etc. – I suspect that this may be helped by the lack of additional software for backup/synchronization, which seems to cause some troubles in other external hard drive makes.

The drive can draw sufficient power from one USB when connected to my Dell laptop, which is 3 yrs old, or to the front USB port of a new PC. The supplied USB cable has two plugs so that lower-powered USB ports can also be used; this, however, means that the cable is on the large side – larger than the drive itself. In addition, there is a connection point for an AC adapter, which most other 2.5″ drives lack (although the adapter itself is not included).

The status light – also missing from most other portable drives – glows blue on standby, and pulsates in purple/red when it’s reading data, which looks good. The casing itself is thin and small, and, unlike for most other 2.5″ external drives, it is made of brushed metal. This makes the drive feel solid and look stunning, and also feel cool when not in use – hence this may well be the ‘coolest’ portable hard drive (as most other drives have a plastic casing)… This also helps that the drive doesn’t overheat when in use; the operation is noiseless too.

Overall, the drive looks, feels and handles like a good example of German engineering.
Rating: 5 / 5

Paul/Essex

at 3:49 am

Good points:

1. Neat and compact/looks good

2. No problems using it (has to connect using both (supplied) USB connectors to my Dell D600))

3. Makes no noise in use

4. Arrived within days of ordering (great service)

Room to improve:

1. Ability to store the USB cable in/aroud the case in some way (another one I have (Phillips) does this)

2. Some sort of bag/case (I bought my own) – even a thin cloth bag would be OK

Would I buy one again – yes.
Rating: 5 / 5