Is that a hard drive in your pocket…
If you need to take your data with you when you’re out and about, you will be after something that’s lightweight and will slip into a jacket pocket, handbag or laptop bag without any trouble, without sacrificing usability, security and – for some at least – style. These are some of the best:
Buffalo Juststore Slimline: at just 5.0 by 3.4 inches, the Buffalo Juststore weighs in at a tiny 191g for the 320Gb model (also available in other sizes). It takes power from the USB 2.0 data connection and comes pre-installed with Buffalo’s TurboUSB software which boosts transfer speeds by up to 20% over other USB 2.0 drives. 
HP SimpleSave Portable HD: the SimpleSave from HP is exactly what it says on the tin – a very simple device with is straightforward to use. The 500Gb version weighs just 200g, runs off its USB 2.0 connection and self-initiates when you plug it in.
Iomega eGo Portable: the Iomega eGo Portable is perhaps one of the more stylish external hard drives available, and comes in a variety of colours. It also packs USB 3.0 to provide faster than average data transfer speeds of up to 5Gbps, and features Drop Guard Xtreme to safeguard it from damage as the result of, well, being dropped.
Samsung S2 Portable 3.0 HX-MTA64DA: don’t let the somewhat onerously name put you off, this Samsung drive is widely reviewed as a top performing portable hard drive, and only weighs 163g. It too has a USB 3.0 connection boasting transfer speeds of up to 5Gbps, and comes with preloaded software for plug-and-play back up.
Seagate FreeAgent GoFlex: the GoFlex describes itself as “ultraportable”, and comes in a variety of storage sizes (including a monster 1.5TB drive) and colours (red, silver, black, blue). Powered by USB connection, the GoFlex comes with USB 2.0 as standard but with the option to upgrade to USB 3.0, FireWire 800 or powered eSATA by pairing the device with the appropriate cable (sold separately)
Western Digital My Passport Essential: named due to being roughly the same size as a US passport, this device now supports USB 3.0 (500Gb model only), backs up files on an incremental basis to minimise the time required and includes password protection and encryption.
Verbatim Store n Go: again, does pretty much what it says it will, the 500Gb version of this device weighs just 150g, and uses USB 3.0 bus powered connection to reach data transfer speeds of up to 5Gbps. Also has a green energy saving button to suspend the hard drive from spinning when not in use.
Tagged: Buffalo Juststore Slimline, external hard drive, featured, HP SimpleSave Portable HD, Iomega eGo Portable, portable hard drive, Samsung S2 Portable 3.0 HX-MTA64DA, Seagate FreeAgent GoFlex, Verbatim Store n Go, Western Digital My Passport Essential
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