storage

Information runs the computing world, and handling it is crucial. So it's important that you select the best storage device to not only keep your data, but also distribute it. In this guide, I'll explain the basics of storage and list the features that you should consider when shopping. But if you're ready to leave for the store right now, here are my top picks.

Hard-core users hoping to get the most out of a home storage solution should consider a network-attached storage (NAS) server from Synology, such as the DS1511+, DS412+, or the DS213air. Both offer … Read more

Cloud storage company Dropbox has reached 100 million users, and to celebrate it's giving away gigabytes.

The company, now five years old, announced the milestone today in a blog entry written by founder Drew Houston.

"Once upon a time, Dropbox had its humble beginnings in a Boston train station when I forgot my USB stick at home," he wrote. "We're still unsure if it was fate or fluke, but one thing's stayed the same all these years: each of us has a unique reason for using Dropbox."

Houston told The New York Times … Read more

After a SkyDrive debacle over the weekend, which caused Opera users to be blocked from the cloud storage service, Microsoft has said it's working quickly to fix the problem.

The problem began when Opera, which is a Web browser, received a bug report showing that Microsoft's cloud storage service froze out all users when it was being loaded. Instead of being able to see their saved files and photos, users could only see millions of characters of code.

After some poking around, Opera's Hallvord Steen realized that the problem was "some strange bug in the Microsoft … Read more

Internal memory is probably one of the least sexy features of a smartphone. But as your smartphone replaces your point-and-shoot camera, MP3 music player, portable gaming device, GPS navigator, and in some cases your portable video player, it's something you have to think about when buying a new device.

While some devices allow you to add memory via a microSD card, others don't. And when you run out of internal memory on your device, you're forced to make some tough choices. Do you delete your kids' first birthday pictures or those videos from your last vacation? Maybe … Read more

Editors' note: This post is part of an ongoing series. For the other parts, check out the related stories.

It's not the locker room type of storage we're talking about here. Instead it's something much more important and often underrated: the place where information is stored.

When it comes to computer storage, judging from many questions friends and readers send me, there's quite a bit of confusion among general users as to what it actually is. And it's not your fault; digital storage can be as messy as my desk. This is the reason for … Read more

Intel on Monday introduced its latest solid-state drive, the DC S3700, which offers up to 800GB of storage space and will become available in early 2013.

The chip maker says the drive incorporates a new technology called High Endurance Technology (HET) that leads to much better endurance. Basically, the new drive can handle 10 full drive writes per day and still last a full 5-year life span for its lowest capacities. For the highest, 800GB capacity, this translates into a life span of almost 200 years should you choose to use it for video editing constantly.

The reason endurance is … Read more

LaCie today announced the availability of its latest network attached storage (NAS) server, the CloudBox.

Originally, the storage vendor announced this device more than a year ago, suggesting it'd be a unique network storage server that offers 100GB of local storage and a matching 100GB of online storage, with the two being synced over the Internet. The final device shipping today, however, appears to be quite traditional.

The CloudBox is now available in either 1TB, 2TB, or 3TB capacities and doesn't seem to come with any online storage. Instead it works by itself as a personal cloud server … Read more

Windows has a bad rep for gobbling up storage space on PCs. Ditto Surface.

The $499 32GB Surface tablet actually leaves you with only 16GB free storage space for things like music, photos, and videos, according to Microsoft documentation.

So, what's devouring all of that flash storage space? On a 32GB Surface, Windows reports 29GB available. Subtract 5GB for Windows recovery tools, then another 8GB for Windows RT, Microsoft Office, and built-in apps. That leaves 16GB for the user.

On the 64GB model, you're left with 46GB.

Microsoft does offer advice on the same FAQ page about how … Read more

Backups: are they really necessary? Absolutely. Are they a hassle? Very often, yes. Do they cost an arm and a leg? Sometimes -- but not today.

Through tomorrow, AppSumo is offering a one-year subscription to Backblaze backup service for $25. (That's for one PC; you can buy multiple subscriptions at that price for additional systems.) Normally that would cost you $50, or $5 per month if you elected not to prepay.

Backblaze competes with the likes of Carbonite and Mozy, offering continuous, automated backup of all your data. Like Carbonite, Backblaze affords unlimited space. And its client software (available … Read more