Maxtor Shared Storage drive sorts and stores files on the network
Maxtor Shared Storage Solution
The product: The Maxtor Shared Storage solution is a networked external hard drive that includes Maxtor's Drag and Sort feature, which automatically sorts files based on file types (for example, music, video, photo, and document) and puts them in specific document folders. The feature can identify more than 100 common Windows file types. It comes in 200GB or 300GB capacities and includes two USB ports for USB printers or additional external storage drives.

The Shared Storage drive plugs into your network router via a 10/100 Ethernet port, and with the installation CD, users on the network give themselves quick access to a shared public folder on the drive, as well as their own private network folders.

The price: $299.95 for the 200GB drive and $399.95 for the 300GB drive.

The prospects: As memory gets ever cheaper, storage companies have to distinguish themselves with features. Maxtor's proprietary Drag and Sort feature is an interesting concept, though it's probably not enough to drive the masses wild over storage.

By Felisa Yang, associate editor, CNET Reviews