ITGumbo: spicing IT up

First up and available in 80GB, 120GB, 160GB, 250GB configurations is Western Digital’s Passport USB Portable Hard Drive. It functions across both Windows and Macintosh platforms.
The new unit builds on the success of its previous version and comes with a single standard mini-USB cable for both data and power, as the drive is bus-powered. Bus-powered is a feature; I always fell in love with-since it did not require another messy wire or an outlet to deal with.
The Passport houses a high-performing 5,400-rpm SATA drive, which is truly plug-and-play and is also preformatted for immediate use. Users need only to take the unit out of the box, plug it into any USB port on any desktop or notebook to provide power, and the unit is up and running.
Western Digital includes WD Sync and Google software for Windows. The software allows users to synchronize data between the unit and any PC.
The device is rather small, measuring 3.1 x .6 x 5.1 inches. Its form factor makes it easy to transport from station to station. The drive comes with a hard case that’s roomy enough for the drive and the cable.
The one thing that makes the Passport stand out from the rest of the crowd is its true ultra-portability. It weighs only a few ounces, which enables it to fit into any pocket or purse, and it can file tons of valuable data.
This device is the perfect fit for the professional on the go. I’ve seen prices on the 250GB drive for as little as $89. I’ve seen as high as $121 too.
Now, for those looking to a higher capacity drive with a more professional feel to it, LaCie’s 500GB d2 Quadra HDD is the ticket. The device offers a quad interface and can be connected via eSATA, FireWire-400, FireWire-800, or USB 2.0.
The drive features a large 16MB cache, a 7,200 rpm rotation speed, an ultra-quiet design, and sustained transfer speeds of up to 90Mbps. The drive can be used to add storage space quickly to any PC or Mac, but the outstanding feature is the variety of backup and disaster-recovery software bundled with the d2 Quadra.
The most useful of the bundled tools is EMC Retrospect backup software, which facilitates system backup. A step-by-step instruction guide, included, makes the process simple for any user. The software is managed through an easy-to-navigate interface and can even be activated via the drive’s shortcut button.
Most people are restricted to low-cost storage solutions that may not offer them the performance and reliability they need to back up and recover sensitive data. However, the d2 drive offers an appealing alternative due to its high-quality design, ease of use, low cost per Gbyte, and excellent price-to-performance ratio.
LaCie also offers the storage device in a 320GB configuration for $189. LaCie sells the 500GB device, direct for $230.