Maxtor just released their Maxtor Central AXIS 7200 RPM NAS, which offers 1TB of storage, DLNA Compliance, and an HTTP-based interface that allows for multi-user remote access with admin and guest privileges. Since the interface is an HTTP-based app, it works with any platform with a web browser, and the DLNA compliance means you can send photos, video and music to devices like Xbox 360, PS3 and countless televisions. Expect the Maxtor Central Axis to hit stores in July for US$330.

Read More »

The Goods: Maxtor's BlackArmor portable hard drive differentiates itself from other portable HDs—a market already crowded with schway-looking options—by being a data security badass, the most hardcore of any external storage. It uses gov't-grade AES encryption at the hardware level, so everything on the drive is encrypted and it's harder to bust. Did we mention it looks like straight off an Area 51 drone's office desk? The Drag: It's only 160GB (there's way bigger), and aesthetically pleasing peace of mind is expensive, almost a buck a GB at $US150.

It's time for those after-Christmas sales, and here's a great deal on a Maxtor L01Y300 300GB hard drive from Fry's for $US44, which we couldn't find anywhere else for less than $US75. The description for the today-only deal says it's a 7200rpm retail hard drive kit with a 16MB buffer and an Ultra ATA 100 interface. What has us perplexed is the breathless promise of a "bonus 20GB FREE!" Huh? Might be a good investment of that Christmas money, but buyer beware. Sounds too good to be true. [Fry's]

Earlier this week, we shared breaking news about Seagate selling 1,800 Trojan-horse-infected Maxtor hard drives at retail. I checked in with the company to learn the details, and see if they busted the perp. The official word:

The internal investigation by the contract manufacturer determined that the virus was accidentally transferred by one of its employees and not a malicious act.

But accident, schmaccident: Seagate is taking some severe prevention measures to keep this from happening again, including extra anti-virus software—and metal detectors. The situation was more widespread than we originally knew, and anyone with a Maxtor Basics drive should probably read on.

Read More »

Seagate's Maxtor OneTouch line is getting an upgrade, with three new models in the OneTouch 4 series: OneTouch 4 ($US100 for 250GB, $US170 for 500GB, $US270 for 750GB), OneTouch 4 Plus ($US130 for 250GB up to $US360 for 1TB) and the OneTouch 4 Mini ($US100 for 80GB, $US120 for 120GB and $US150 for 160GB). Besides looking all serious and anodized, they boast a new software feature, SafetyDrill, a "bare metal system restore" which Seagate touts as a "nearly instantaneous restoration of an entire computer." They're also quieter, cooler running and sport spiffier drive protection mechanisms. Full press release after the jump.

Read More »