drive

Tips for getting better gas mileage

With all the talk of new, fuel-efficient vehicles, those of us who are still driving our regular old cars might feel left out. But there are still ways we can help save gas -- and money -- by making relatively simple adjustments to our cars and driving habits.

Change the air filter. The air filter is a crucial component to minimizing fuel use and maximizing horsepower. Bryan Gregory, director of consumer education for Advance Auto Parts, says it takes an engine about 10,000 gallons of air to combust one gallon of gas. So it makes sense, then, that the … Read more

Portable hard drives go extra mile in Asia

Almost two years ago, Consus wowed us with a portable hard drive that played video and MP3 files directly onto a TV. Though the formats were limited to a handful of common standards, it did free us from the need to lug along a PC or DVD player during hotel stays.

Recently, we spotted similar models that not only play processer-intensive formats like XviD, DivX, and DVD MPEG-2 files, but also include such functions as an SD card slot and OTG capabilities. The latter is essentially a USB port that can transfer files from any USB storage device directly to … Read more

Hard drives that can survive fire, drowning

There are at least two reasons that waterproof hard drives were inevitable. First, portable storage devices started down this path a long time ago, so the idea must be a popular one. Second, people apparently view their hard drives with more affection than in the past, when it was a necessary but boring utility.

But we never imagined one that could survive 24 hours under water and temperatures of 1,550 degrees Fahrenheit for 30 minutes, as Maxtor and Sentry Group claim their new "Fire-Safe" line does. The products are basically hard drives sealed in battle-ready safes, but … Read more

250GB of external-storage goodness, $39.99 shipped

Whether you need extra space to store all that digital video you've been shooting or you're finally planning to start making regular backups (it's about time!), nothing beats an external hard drive. Just plug it in and you're good to go.

So, good news and bad news about the Vox 250GB drive: It's a 7,200-rpm screamer with USB 2.0 and eSATA interfaces and a price tag of just $39.99, shipping included; but that price is after two mail-in rebates, and the deal is available today only. That means you better snag this … Read more

Hard drive gets more secure on the go

Portable hard drives are becoming cheaper with larger storage sizes, but one of the most overlooked areas is the issue of data security.

A new model from Seoul-based Sarotech, the curiously named "Cutie Bio," has integrated a fingerprint scanner into an external USB 2.0 drive. With a swipe of your finger, the data is instantly accessible; once it's removed from the PC, the information becomes encrypted gibberish.

At about $58.55, we would say it would seem a good deal for everyone--except for one small detail. The fingerprint software works with only Windows machines, which takes … Read more

USB locket is a sad comment on what we love

This is a sad commentary on the state of modern culture. There was a time when lockets were reserved for photos of loved ones or, in the '70s, perhaps a gram or two of an illicit substance. Now? A USB drive.

It's obviously not the first time we've seen a memory stick worn around the neck, but most of those trinkets were the actual drive themselves. There's something about secreting it as a hidden treasure that makes this "Olinari Sterling Silver Dog Tag" particulary perverse, not to mention overpriced at $349 (or $319 without the … Read more

Authorize your USB drive

Flash drives have already become the media of choice when one needs to transfer files in a hurry. However, its small size also means the chances of one being lost or stolen is high.

While some USB drives have gone down the password route and others opt for a fingerprint sensor, Elecom's solution is a little more drastic. Its latest flash drives come with the Password Authentication Security System (PASS), which allows only authorized machines to read the contents. We do hope that there is a workaround if the only PC it's paired with goes bonkers.

Storage capacities … Read more

Black Friday Watch: Maxtor OneTouch 4 500GB, $79.98

I may be cheap, but I'm not crazy enough to line up at 5 a.m. in the freezing cold on that glorious day known as Black Friday. Well, at least, not at the big-box stores. But I might just take a drive to Staples (how bad could the crowds be?) for a $79.98 Maxtor OneTouch 4 500GB. That's half a terabyte of external hard-drive goodness. And with the amount of digital video I'm shooting these days, there's never enough storage space.

Head to the aptly named BlackFriday.info for the full list of Staples' Black Friday deals, … Read more

Portable hard drives go pink too

If portable hard drives can come in leather and real gold, then surely one can come in pastel.

The "Store-It Pro," which is available in sizes ranging from 40GB to 160GB, comes in pink or black for the ultimate hers-and-his geek gift set. Or, if it's just for the sake of expressing one's individuality, free engraving could make for some interesting statements as seen in the photo here on Techie Diva.

That, however, doesn't mean that the black version should be treated like a mud flap.

Letting your data go for good, without a computer

Keeping data is crucial, there's no doubt about this. Data backing up has evolved from as painful as copying files onto a floppy disk to an eye candy with Apple's recent invention of the Time Machine.

However, on the other hand, completely losing data is equally important, when you decide to let go your old hard drive. Trashing files from within the operating system generally doesn't make the information completely go way. And you don't want it to be retrieved by people with ill intention.

Today, Wiebetech introduced the first standalone, consumer-friendly hard drive wiping device … Read more