Like it or not, you're probably having to think about external storage. Music collections, video files, and creative pursuits like that movie you're finally getting around to editing eat up hard drives and most of us have had to spring for the extra space. Whether you're looking for a simple product that will buy you some time without costing a fortune or are ready to invest in a business-wide solution for your small to medium company we're here to help: here are a few of our favorite options for external hard drives.
CI Designs iStoragePro iT1 Dock
http://www.istoragepro.com/prod.php?id=it1dock | Price: $329.00
http://www.lacie.com/products/product.htm?pid=11257 | Price: $149.95
http://www.g-technology.com/products/g-drive.cfm?featured=gd | Price: $329.99
http://www.drobo.com/products/drobopro/index.php | Price: $1,699.00 with 2TB Bundle
http://www.vantecusa.com/front/product/view_detail/374 | Price: $24.99
This 2TB option from CI Designs packs a mean punch: it has an incredible amount of storage, multi-interface design and features like heat sink to keep all your data safe--quietly. It's sleek and slim but not too esoteric, and the white aluminum body recalls the design of our favorite Apple computers. A universal AC power adapter keeps the iT1 Dock up and running and a three year limited warranty covers your investment. Compatible with OS X and Final Cut Pro as well as a host of other systems and programs.
LaCie Rugged XL
If you need a little more color with your storage, consider the Rugged XL; designed by Neil Poulton, this aluminum unit is ringed with a tough rubber sleeve to help cushion the case from bumps and drops. An internal bumper and the inevitable heat dissipation technology are inside, along with 1TB of extra space. Both eSATA 3Gb/s and Hi-Speed USB 2.0 compatible, this unit won't slow you down just because it looks good doing its job.
G Tech G Drive
Another high storage option is this single disk pffering from G Tech. Three interfaces mean you have your pick of how to transfer data to those demanding applications, but if you choose the eSATA port you can move data in rates of more than 100MB per second...talk about lightening speed. Also, this one comes with all the cables in the box, so whether you like FireWire, eSATA or USB you don't have to go to the store to hook your new drive up. Integrated heat sink and up to 2TB of storage with a cache of up to 32MB round out the futuristic aluminum package.
Data Robotics DroboPro
If you need a little bit more storage, say, for your small to medium business, look no further than the DroboPro. Single and dual disk redundancies that you can switch between with a click, eight disks of expansion that will take you to 16TB and higher, direct to server attachment...the DroboPro is not a product so much as a solution. With BeyondRAID technology included, you don't even have to think about which level of protection is appropriate for your data and dual smart fans vacillate between keeping your data cool and your sanity intact and as of this writing Data Robotics is offering rebates from $50-$100 on systems and bundles.
Vantec NexStar Hard Drive Enclosures
Have an old hard drive lying around? Want to utilize your existing resources to solve your storage needs? Vantec hears you and makes a series of hard drive enclosures to keep sensitive components housed, clean, and working for you. The CX takes your 3.5" SATA hard drive and turns it into an eSATA or USB 2.0 capable drive that's compatible across many platforms, transfers data quickly and minimizes vibrations to keep the drive cool and quiet. It's a good do-it-yourself choice for the weekend tech warrior or anyone who requires feather light yet durable data storage.
More Apple
More News
OS 4.0
What with all the iPad speculation, iPhone rumors have mostly been left in the dst We're proud to take up the mantle once more and speculate wildly about what's coming. Aside from a flash for the camera, we've heard more complaining about the lack of multi-tasking than anything (except AT&T's service...). Now, AppleInsider reports that people who are spot on in their Apple predictions say it's coming, and we couldn't be happier. Pandora streaming while browsing the interwebs? Yes please.
The issues here are really user interface and battery life--how do you switch between apps in a way that's easy to do and easy to see? Also, how much of our batteries will be quickly whiled away during our power sucking? That remains to be seen, of course, and along with spyware and malware issues is probably the reason we don't have this capability yet. There are tons of case chargers and battery backup systems available though, and we'd gladly slap a Juice Pack on or carry the Gum Plus if it meant we could use our iPhone more like our Macbook.
Consumer Reports
We don't know about you guys, but we've been reading Consumer Reports since childhood--there was very little to do in our grandparent's hometown over the summers--and we still have a special place in our hearts for them. Now we are happy to tell you that they've names Apple's customer support for laptops and desktops the best in the industry. Apple was judged in four categories for each computer type: problem solved, phone waits, phone staff and online support. It received the coveted "very satisfied" rating from over 7,000 subscribers...
Nice job, folks...thanks for making the upkeep of our machines as easy as using them.
And Now For Something Completely Different
Sure, there are plenty of office "friendly" games out there with escape buttons that quickly switch the screen to charts in the event of an unexpected boss walk-through, but four guys from the Netherlands have taken this a step further and worked their games into charts, graphs, and other office productivity tools. Leadership, Breakdown and Cost Cutter are the titles available free at cantyouseeimbusy.com that use word documents, line graphs and bar charts in games so you look more productive than you're being. The cost calculator (which tallies the cost of your lost productivity) is a nice, if sobering, touch.
Our advice? Just play. Don't think too hard about it.
Like the games? Have other favorites? Tweet us!
