Portable HDD meant to provide storage on the go

Jul 2, 2010 08:32 GMT  ·  By

Flash drives may rank highest on the portability list, among consumer-oriented storage solutions, but they don't even come close to matching portable hard drives in terms of capacity. Also, considering that the latter units themselves usually fit inside pockets, they can make excellent traveling companions for a user and his or her laptop. Transcend's StoreJet 25D2-W is one such portable HDD, though the consumer segment it is aimed at is not the same as that of most of its peers.

Basically, the StoreJet 25D2-W is meant to be paired with Apple-made Mac systems. This is evident from the visible “Compatible with Mac OS X” logo that its maker scribed onto it. Furthermore, its gloss-white lacquer finish is quite similar to the one that Apple computers usually boast, which means aesthetic compatibility will not be an issue either.

Of course, going to such lengths to ensure high visual value would not have been worthwhile in absence of decent performance. As such, Transcend crammed 500GB of space inside the 5400RPM drive and provided 8MB of buffer memory. Also, the interface through which communication with the system will be made is the USB 2.0, which makes 480 Mbps the maximum data transfer rate achievable. Furthermore, the StoreJet comes with anti-slip rubber feet and internal suspension mechanism, for greater reliability and survivability.

It should probably be noted that the HDD enters a power-saving sleep mode after it has been idle for ten minutes. Transcend also threw in the Storejet Elite software (as a bundle), which can give 256-bit AES encryption, Internet tools and intelligent backup scheduling. Finally, the hardware maker offers a faux-Swede travel pouch meant to shield the drive against dirt and scratches. Even though the three-year warranty scheme was unveiled, the price tag is still a mystery.