As everyone who uses a PC knows, backing up your all important data's key and we all do it on a regular basis...right?  Ok, we don't and that's my point.  Far too often, external hard disks are too bulky and USB drives simply don't offer enough storage to cope with today's digital lifestyle, so what to do?  Toshiba's here to offer a helping hand in the form of their USB 2.0 Portable External Hard Drive.

Coming in a variety of sizes, right up to 320GB and offering such a sleek, minimal and dare I say it, sexy design, they truly look the part on paper and when in your hand.  A real key feature is that they're totally USB powered, so no more scrabbling to find an extra power point to fire up your back up solution.  Literally plug it into a suitable USB 2.0 port and you're good to go!

Key Features

• Smooth and comfortable to the touch: Sleek and glossy finish
• USB powered for ultimate portability
• Small size saves desktop space and increases mobility
• "Plug & Play": Ready to go out of the box
• Shock protection and ramp loading technology to help protect your drive
• Simple solution for backup or increasing computer storage

Technical Specs

• Capacity: 160 GB2 / 250 GB2 / 320 GB2 / 400 GB2
• Small Size: 16,5 mm (H) x 81,3 mm (W) x 127 mm (D)
• Buffer Size: 8 MB
• Weight: 155 g (310 g packaged)

System Requirements:

• Microsoft ® Windows ® 2000, XP or Vista
• Mac OS X 10.3.9 or later
• Available USB 2.0 Port
• Specifications subject to change

Kit Contents:

• Toshiba Portable External Drive
• Multilingual Quick Install Guide
• USB 2.0 Cable

Ok, so the features won't exactly tell you how it performs in real time and that's why I'm here.  The drive is nigh on silent, I defy anyone to moan about the noise that the drive creates.  Plug it in and it'll sit there, purring almost like Ernst Stavro Blofeld's persian but looking a hell of alot prettier.  Transfers are nothing short of lightning in terms of speed and the drive is picked up and ready to be used within seconds of plugging it in.  With every file added, I found myself drawn to liking this drive more and more.  First it was purely for aesthetic reasons but now, I can honestly say that it's managed to weasel its way into my daily routine.  Backing up my photographs, documents and other files isn't a chore anymore, it's a pleasure.  It was even used at my wedding, to backup some 1,200 pictures taken by various guests totalling over 3GB!

Now, as with other memory devices, a test wouldn't be complete without trying it in the Xbox 360 to see if it can be used as a viable transportation system for those Saturday night movies.  After plugging it in, the familiar wee whirr greets you and the 360 then is ready to roll with your favourite flicks!  Absolutely brilliant, I know that I'm gushing but I can't put across how much I adore this drive.

Fast, reliable and most importantly extremely portable, the new range of Portable External Hard Drives that Toshiba's create are all that and more.  If you're looking for an affordable and more importantly efficient piece of kit (or just to show off the look to jealous colleagues), then this is for you!

Toshiba, you've created a winner!

Buy Toshiba Portable External Hard Disks at ASBIS B2B e-Shop

Originaly published at ClockerZ