SimpleTech by Hitachi Signature Mini 500 GB USB 2.0 Portable External Hard Drive FS-U25/500E (Espresso)
by Hitachi
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Our Price: $199.99 Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Category: CE See more product details |
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Customers in the UK,
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Digital Cameras Photo Reviews of SimpleTech by Hitachi Signature Mini 500 GB USB 2.0 Portable External Hard Drive FS-U25/500E (Espresso)
Customer Review: Excellent Drive, but chunky
Summary: 4 Stars
The Simpletech Pininfarina designed portable hard drive series is outstanding. I have three of these drives of different sizes and generations. They all have functioned really well, flawlessly. I travel a lot with my drive and it has stood up extremely well. This espresso model has a really nice soft to the touch plastic surface (it's very pleasant to carry and hold).
The drive has a red pilot light to tell you it is plugged in, and it flashes blue when it's being accessed.
Access speed when connected to a USB 2 port is exactly the same as any other USB 2 portable drive, not blindingly fast like your internal hard drive, but speedy just the same. The other problems reported are definately being used in a downgraded USB 1 port.
The included mini USB cable has two USB input connectors (the bigger flat side you plug into the computer). One is data and power and the second is power only. So if you have weak power output to a USB port, that second connector can get you the juice you need.
The included utilities are silly for a drive this size. Delete them.
Now on to my only complaint with this drive. It's thickness. This is a fairly chunky drive. If you use this at home, that's no big deal. But if you are real hard core road warrior, this drive is a bit too fat. I would strongly encourage you to buy the Western Digital Essential or Elite drive instead (all about the same price - just search around a bit). Western Digital My Passport Essential 500 GB USB 2.0 Portable Hard Drive WDME5000TN (Midnight Black). I also have the WD drive in 320 and 500 Gb versions and both work extremely well.
Another suggestion - either of these drives needs a carrying case. This CaseLogic is just about perfect, nice snug fit with good protection, Caselogic Neoprene LHDC-1 Portable Hard Drive Case (Dark Gray). I have four of these carrying cases.
Customer Review: It works. And guess what's in it!
Summary: 4 Stars
I bought this external hard drive when it was on sale. It was cheaper, actually, than buying a bare hard drive, so I went ahead and bought this thing even though I did not quite need it.
The drive worked nicely. It is no speed demon; not only is it only equipped with USB 2.0 port, but it houses a 5400rpm hard drive, so it is naturally slow, topping out at somewhere north of 20MB/s. On the upside, it does not require an external power source (unless your USB port is wimpy and/or swamped with other devices from the hub). I have noticed that the casing did not close properly; this, I later realized, was due to a broken tab. It did not affect its functionality, but I question its build quality.
Then I required a 2.5" hard drive for a new computer. Despite the small risk of hard drive not fitting, I opened up the casing (oops, there's my warranty!). Inside sat... a Hitachi Travelstar 5K500. I believe it is a late revision. It is a good sign as a hard drive. As for the rest of the parts? Well, the USB-to-SATA circuit part was very small, and it might just work with 3.5" hard drive (I'm not making any guarantees! Do this at your own risk.). Casing is flimsy plastic (durr) with an LED on top. It's structurally sound overall, but I wonder if this is a good casing for heat dissipation. Perhaps it's the culprit for hard drive failures others are experiencing?
Customer Review: Going to buy another one
Summary: 4 Stars
I have a Simpletech 250 GB portable hard drive. Now I need another because it is full. It is very reliable, quiet and small. The only con I have is not long after I got mine the label on the back came off. Its printed right on the drive that if the label is "removed or tampered with" the warranty will be void. I've never had to test that theory, but it kind of scared me that the label came off so easily. I think the heat (it doesn't get super hot, but does get warm) loosened the adheisive and it just eventually fell off. I kept the label but I think it would suck if I had to have it repaired and they wouldn't do it because the label came off, no fault of my own.
Overall it's a great drive though. And the price here is unbeatable. I'm going to get one of these, and office max has a 1tb desktop drive on sale right now that I'm getting for backup if I don't find something less expensive here.
Customer Review: Good for traveling
Summary: 4 Stars
I bought this external hard drive to carry importants files and programs, and this hard drive runs well, is an small hard drive with a lot of space.
In my case, I can hear a little noise in the hard drive and I haven't been using this hard drive for a long time, I used it sometimes so I don't know why the noise so fast. besides, the hard drive need to be connected to two USB port in order to work, I made test with diferents USB ports and it always needs two USB ports.
Customer Review: Great Deal
Summary: 4 Stars
I have only had the product for a few weeks, but its been great. Its easy to use, small enough, and the case isnt slippery. It has nice grip lines on the bottom so it doesnt slip off the comuter or desk. The only thing is the cord that comes with is short, so you have to put it on top of the computer, or someplace real close. Im sure buying another cord shouldnt be that much.