Storage

It's really a shame that the iPad, or any tablet or smartphone for that matter, comes with such a limited amount of internal storage -- usually around 64GB (OK, there's a 128GB iPad, but it's just too expensive). And after the operating system and apps, the remaining space for digital content is much less than that. This is the reason a wireless storage expander is a must for savvy users who want to carry their entire digital library around with them.

The good news is there is now a relatively big selection of these type of devices. … Read more

Now that you have learned all about solid-state drives (SSDs) and even know how to take care of one, the only thing left is buying the SSD itself.

Any of the following drives will be a single upgrade that makes your computer feel like new, if the machine is currently running on a hard drive. Some of these drives can prove to be great upgrades even when your system is running on a budget or older-generation SSD. In short, it's upgrade time for many of you out there, especially when most of the drives listed here now cost less … Read more

After almost two months in a beta state, Synology's version 4.2 of its DiskStation Manager (DSM) operating system is now live.

The new version offers a host of improvements for both home and business users, especially in terms of ease of use. For example, Quick Connect -- a feature that quickly configures the router to facilitate the NAS server's Internet-based applications -- now supports the setup of more apps, including Cloud Station, DS File, DS Audio, DS Photo+, and the new DS Cloud app.

DS Cloud adds a Dropbox-like sync service for mobile devices. Other improvements … Read more

Remember the exciting solid-state hybrid drives (SSHDs) Seagate showcased at CES 2013? You can now get versions for both laptops and desktops.

The storage vendor announced today the availability of the Seagate Laptop SSHD drive -- a 7mm-thin SSHD designed for laptops and certain ultrabooks -- and the all-new Seagate Desktop SSHD, the first hybrid drive for desktops. The former is the third-gen hybrid drive from the company, replacing the previous Momentus XT 500GB and Momentus XT 750GB.

Similar to the Momentus XT drives, the new SSHDs (both laptop and desktop versions) come with both solid-state (flash memory, normally used … Read more

Editors' note: This post is Part 4 of an ongoing series that aims to explain digital storage, based on questions and inquiries from readers. For the other parts, check out the related stories.

Made to replace hard drives in many applications, SSDs have nothing in common with hard drives in terms of how they handle data. By popular demand, I am explaining in this post how they work in layman's terms. I'll also answer other SSD-related questions.

To understand how an SSD works, let's start with two most important parts: the controller and the … Read more

Just last month I shared a deal on one year of Bitcasa unlimited cloud storage for $69.

This is less.

Through this weekend, as part of a Cheapskate exclusive deal (woo!), you can get a year of Pogoplug unlimited cloud storage for $39. No file size restrictions, no limits on uploading or downloading, just an endless supply of virtual-hard-drive goodness.

Granted, Bitcasa and Pogoplug are, to a degree, apples and oranges. The former works more like Dropbox on steroids, syncing selected folders and even letting you migrate data off your hard drive and onto your cloud drive.

Pogoplug doesn't … Read more

We all know that flash drives are dirt-cheap nowadays, but most of them are designed to ride in your pocket or on your keychain. What if you forget the drive, or don't have your keys with you? What then?!

One item you almost always have with you: your wallet. Hence today's deal: Meritline has the 8GB Black Credit Card Shaped USB Flash Drive for $7.99 shipped. Regular price: $9.99. Savings: two dollars. Woo!

I know, it's barely a deal, but not every day needs to be about TVs, laptops, and other big-ticket items. And this, … Read more

BARCELONA, Spain--People save 1 billion files every day to Dropbox's online storage service, Chief Executive Drew Houston said today at the Mobile World Congress show here.

In addition, the company's 100 million users tap into the service with 500 million devices, he said. The statistics shows major growth for a company founded in 2007 when today's high-end smartphones only just were emerging.

When the company started, Dropbox could synchronize people's data among PCs, but now of course it helps bridge the gaps to smartphones, tablets, and presumably other Internet-connected devices of the future. The company has … Read more

For anyone who's actually trying to save money (what a concept, right?), today is going to be a tough one. I've got five -- count 'em, five -- deals, each one better than the last.

As always, these are available while supplies last -- and supplies don't always last long. They're in stock as of this morning, and the prices are accurate as of this morning. That is all.

1. Acer ultrabook So I'm thinking about a new laptop. The one I'm using now is OK, but has a smaller screen (11.6 inches) … Read more