14 DAY TRIAL // Monitors don't represent the only ball that I-O Data knows how to play with. Storage devices and drive cases are another field where it often stretches, and it so happens that a new series of portable HDDs has just made its debut.
The new line isn't really all that shocking as far as storage drives go. In fact, one might even say that it is more or less average, spec-wise.
As average as portable hard disk drive units can be anyway. Such things are unusual by nature, even if not really odd to find.
Then again, we can't exactly say that I-O Data was aiming to shock anyone here. More like it wanted to fill another blank in its lineup, or refresh a segment of its product collection.
The HDPF-UT series of portable HDDs comes in 500 GB and 1 TB capacities.
The former has, or will have, a price of 9,450 JPY, which corresponds to $97 / €70. The latter is, obviously, much more expensive. Not doubly so, though. The tag is of 13,335 JPY, or $137 / €100.
Both of them use the USB 3.0 SuperSpeed standard to communicate with PCs, or whatever other consumer electronics happens to have a similar port.
In fact, I-O Data pre-loads installers of the I-O APP data-migration tool.
Other assets include reinforced edges and cushioning for the internal drive. They won't help it survive true abuse, but accidental drops shouldn't be able to damage the internal components thanks to them.
The new, white and black I-O Data HDPF-UT portable HDDs have plastic panels and metal frames, plus a single cable connection. Thus, they work on just the power provided by the USB port.
Alas, this means that some tablets and gadgets won't be able to use it, since their USB ports might not have what it takes.
