The new ExpressCard 2.0 standard launched at Computex, and promised transfer speeds of up to 5 GB/s. The new spec will support adapters for PCIe, eSATA and USB 3.0, among other things. More »
WD’s My Book Studio Edition II now comes with a pair of 2TB drives and a choice of four interfaces: USB 2.0, eSATA, FireWire 400 and FW800. Having 4TB plus all those options’ll cost you, though: $US650 MSRP. [Western Digital] More »
Sure it’s shiny, ruby red and super lightweight, holds 500GB and connects—with power—via USB 2.0, FireWire 400 or FireWire 800. But the best thing about the newest Iomega eGo is that it can move files faster than (almost) anything I’ve seen.
In recent years, that vast majority of thumbdrive “innovations” have been…well…non-technical. However, Kanguru has actually done something useful by integrating an eSATA plug with a standard USB 2.0 drive. For folks with eSATA capability, that means performance speeds that are several times faster than USB. The drive even comes packaged with an eSATA + Power bracket and an eSATA + Power cable for easy hookup. The drives are shipping now in 16GB ($US85) and 32GB ($US120) varieties with a 64GB version slated for January of 2009. [Marketwatch]
Most hard drive enclosures aren’t winning any beauty contests, but at least the Datamore Porté is putting on some lipstick, tightening the girdle and giving it her all. This USB or eSATA enclosure for SATA drives features that moving while standing still look along with a hot rear gull-wing door. Bonus shot:
New SATA specs!! The governing body of SATA (known as SATA-IO) has announced their SATA Revision 3.0 specifications, which is important because it will dictate the transfer speeds of internal hard drives (among other things). SATA Rev 3 will hit data transfers up to 6 Gbps (the original maxed at 1.5 Gbps and sequel reached 3 Gbps) and allow for better power management. Sounds good…it’s just too bad there’s not a hard drive on the market that can read or write at 6 Gbps. (Well, other than this crazy rig.) [SATA-IO via Electronista]
Previously it was double slots and eSATA, now the cartridge-style HDD dock gets a one-touch backup button. Makes it ideal for backing up your main drive to an old HDD you’ve got spare, and then bunging the backup in a cupboard until you need it. It’s got eSATA and USB 2 connectivity and even comes with an internal SATA to external eSATA conversion bracket for your desktop PC. Takes both 2.5-inch and 3.5-inch drives, but though it plays nicely with PCs and Macs, the one-touch button only works with PCs. Available now for US$53. [Brando]
