14 DAY TRIAL // Normally, when we think about a hard drive, our minds unfortunately drift to the large, heavy, complicated and huge data-storage units used in everyday PCs. Until a few years ago, the term hard drive specifically determined these monstrous, often circuit-covered box-shaped things that could break concrete if, for whatever logically challenged reason, they found themselves on the outside of the casing or somehow flying out the window.
To help alleviate the stress caused by such beasts to those hard disk purchasers of either gender who find themselves breaking concrete in such a manner, LG Electronics USA has come up with the ultimate in oxymorons: super-light, portable hard drives.
More than just a means of reducing the maintenance bills caused by HDD-asphalt impacts, these products do more than redefine the notion of hard disk (although perhaps they should be named differently). They even stuff into their miniature, 13mm-thick casing more memory-storage capacity than most home-PC storage drives. The XD5 Minis come with capabilities of 320GB or 500GB.
These drives will work with any motherboard that supports SATA or USB 2.0, but will go especially well with laptops, netbooks, especially of the ultra-thin variety. As such, mobile-platform owners will have large storage space available for whatever videos, audio files, electronic books and other applications they may want to use during their trips.
Although it is not up to us to decide what makes a hard disk, the light weight and small frame definitely separate the XD5s from the usual specimens. The 'hard drives' come in two models, specifically in shells colored black or white with red and pink lines, respectively. Looking at the photo shown in the press release, we could also assume their aerodynamics are significantly superior to those of regular units.
These storage solutions will be available in South Korea, with the 320GB-capable drive for $86 and the 500GB drive for $121.