14 DAY TRIAL // It's needless to say how much we need and appreciate external data storage units that go along with our smaller and smaller notebook PCs. But when high capacity meets small form factors and extreme portability, then we can say we've got a winner.
Western Digital has released on the market the updated version of such a winner, embodied by its successful model of My Passport Essential USB hard-disk drive. The Essential comes with 320GB of storage capacity in a small form factor and is completely powered via the USB bus. No more external adapters to carry along, no more hassle when in a hurry: just insert it into your jacket's pocket and you're good to go.
"The newly designed My Passport Essential drives are the perfect travel-friendly storage device to hold the rich media content generated by higher resolution photos and HD videos and music," said Jim Welsh, vice president and general manager of WD's branded products group. "The desire to carry and keep their digital files close at hand continues to grow and this new drive offers a sleek and stylish solution with plenty of storage capacity for consumers on the move."
The external hard-disk drive comes in three capacity sizes: 320 GB, 250GB or 160GB. Those users who really stick to their "essentials" can opt for smaller capacity models that sell for less than the 320 GB models, although it's not advisable to go cheap just to realize that you're suddenly out of space.
The USB 2.0 interface can deliver data transfer rates of up to 480 Mbits/s. The drive measures 1.5 x 12.6 x 7.9 centimeters (H x L x W) and only weighs 104 grams, which means the drive is small enough to get lost even inside the pocket.
The 320 GB version retails for $199.99, and Asustek's Eee PC users will surely appreciate the extra storage space packed in an ultra-portable casing.