SentrySafe Fire-Safe Waterproof 250 GB USB Hard Drive

By Andreas Lee

USB hard drive

Finally, the leader in small security storage, Sentry, launched the first and the only Fire-safe and waterproof USB hard drive in the world to protect digital information from water and fire disaster.

This innovation is created to fulfill consumer needs that require reliable protection for their data. I think this innovation is unique, just like putting a hard drive in a small container and you can access your data in that condition.

Last year, Sentry launched first fire-safe waterproof USB hard drive with 160 GB capacity which won the best of CES innovations 2008 from Consumer Electronics Association (CEA). The success of this USB hard drive makes SentrySafe created larger capacity storage from this type that has 250 GB embedded memory.

A Maxtor hard drive included in this self contained unit. It is sealed within an injection molded case for protection upon fire/water disaster and extreme condition.

Pros

As its name, fire-safe and waterproof, this disaster-proof USB hard drive is able to stand in fire for 30 minutes and can be placed underwater for more than one day. It is easy to carry, lightweighted, and to use it just plug in USB port like general USB device.

Sentry makes a great product for full data protection. For 250 GB data storage, its price is higher than another drive, but data security and protection that you get from it is not offered by other USB hard drive. SentrySafe fire-safe waterproof hard drive is the most secure place for your valuable data.

Cons

Recently, there is no high capacity options offered by this 13 pounds USB hard drive. The largest capacity of this drive is only 250 GB. For a long term use, that is not enough.

Features

Fire and water data recovery support is provided by SentrySafe. Through this program, Sentry will recover your data free of charge if your SentrySafe USB hard drive experiences fire or water damage. Another feature is back up data ability even in the computer crush event.

Specs

• Hard Disk size : 250 GB
• Model : QA0005
• Brand : SentrySafe
• System requirements : For PC (Pentium III 500 Mhz or higher, Windows 2000/XP/Vista, 128 MB RAM or higher, USB 2.0 port) and for Macintosh (Mac OS X (10.3.69 or later), 128 MB RAM of higher, USB 2.0 port).

This video demonstrates the ease of use of this drive and its protection against fire and water.

You can find the cheaper price of SentrySafe fire-safe waterproof 250 GB only on Amazon

Articles that might be helpful for you: Seagate hard disk drives, network hard drive, and computer drives.

Network Hard Drive Explanation

By Andreas Lee

Technology always makes everything easier for us, isn’t it? One of the tools which can make all of our works done more easily is called network hard drive. Similar to external hard drive as storage media, but like its name network hard drive, this tool allows you to share files to multiple computers in the same network, which means other computers can access your data which is stored in it.

Sharing videos, photos, mp3, and pictures with family is a fun activity in this technology era. You do not need to save data on flash drive first or external hard drive before giving it to your family members. Just save your files on network hard drive so your files can be accessed by any computer as long as those computers are still in the same network.

To start a small business, does not need to spend a lot of money to buy a server considering complicated installation and maintenance. Just buy a network hard drive, and you can share files with other computers in your office. For small business, its better to buy a pretty fair capacity, 1 TB or 2 TB is large enough.

At home, I’m using ‘Maxtor Shared Storage II 1 TB Single Drive’ for sharing files, which allows you to create your family members personal accounts using EasyManage software, and it has a large enough storage capacity to accommodate your photo and video files. I’m choosing the large capacity since larger photos and videos data size also require a larger capacity.

Maxtor Shared Storage II 1 TB Single Drive

network hard drive

Network hard drive which its target markets is for small business, support for Windows and Macintosh, provides the needed performance for sharing files, fills up your needs to have access from multiple computers at the same time. Do you worry that it is getting hot if used too long? Don’t worry. I’m using this network hard drive for more than 12 hours a day, and it’s just a little warm when I touch it. For extra care, I put a small fan besides it when used.

Shared storage drives, Ethernet cable, Maxtor EasyManage CD, Maxtor backup and easy manage software, user’s guide CD, power adapter, and 1 year limited warranty are included in the box. For installation you can see on user’s guide, just basic network hard drive installation, easy to understand. Understanding how to use it through user’s guide is important before you start using it.

Specs

• Capacity : 1 TB
• Rotation speed : 7200 rpm
• Buffer cache size : 16 MB
• Weight : 4 lbs
• AC Voltage : 100-240 VAC
• Minimum PC requirements : Pentium III, 500 MHz equivalent processor or higher, Internet Explorer 6.0 or higher (for management interface), Windows 2000/XP/Mediacenter, Internet connection for system updates, and 128MB RAM

Before you spend your money on it, make sure your computer’s specification fulfills the PC requirements.

Articles you may be interested in reading: computer hard drives and laptop hard drive

Fujitsu HandyDrive 400 GB 2.5” External HD

By Andreas Lee

external hd

Fujitsu releases the new series of external HD, HandyDrive. This newcomer hardware does not come with special features, but high speed performance can be expected from this Fujitsu external HD that provides high speed data transfer.

Its portability meets all standard portability connection of external HD, so easy to use, just plug in and play, and hot swap between computers through USB port.

HandyDrive is created to focus on utility rather than unique feature, and its casual model is suitable for everyone who needs solution for data storage.

Low Cost

Most Fujitsu products are not as lucky as HandyDrive external HD which receives good responses, not because of the design but the price. For a 400 GB HandyDrive external HD, you just need to spend around $90, so it means that each 4.5 GB capacity costs only $1.

Design

The casual design can not be compared with many attractive external HD in the market, and HandyDrive does not come with alternative color, only Black. But I think its design is cool, reminds me to Seagate FreeAgent Go in its shape and size. It has an external drive average size, measuring at 3.2 inches in wide, 5.6 inches in long, and 0.87 inch in depth, an ideal portable size makes it convenient while being taken handy.

Fujitsu HandyDrive

Features

As I said before that HandyDrive does not have special features such as automatic data backup, but a shiny black plastic which uses shock endurance mechanism embedded inside this 2.5 inch external HD for impact resistance. Its thin case is tough enough to survive shocks during your trip or accidental drop.

Specs

• Capacity : 400 GB
• Spindle speed : 5400 RPM
• Buffer size : 8 MB
• Interface : USB 2.0
• Operating Systems compatibility : Windows 2000/ME/XP/Vista and Mac OS X
• Software included : Hard Disk Password Lock Tool, Acronis True Image Personal HDD, and Hard Disk Format Tool

Fujitsu HandyDrive external HD is also available in 250 GB, 320 GB, and 500 GB.

Please read another helpful guide on: computer hard drives, internal hard disk recovery, and firewire drive.