storage

Review: LOK-IT USB Storage Device Control keeps bad USBs off your computer

LOK-IT USB Storage Device Control successfully minimizes the chance of confidential data breach by locking out USB drives. The application quietly runs in the background and will disable any USB storage device when attached to your computer unless the device is on the application's white list.

Though the download checks in at about 2MB, setting it up may take a while. Upon startup, the program prompts you to make an account and sign in, but you don't have to if you're just looking to use the app on a local computer. LOK-IT USB Storage Device Control works … Read more

Get a 32GB USB 3.0 flash drive for $14.99

Sorry about yesterday's oopsie with the hard drive. As I've noted countless times before, and as stated at the bottom of every post, deals are subject to availability, expiration, and other terms determined by sellers. The rub with most coupon codes is that I don't know when they're about to expire.

Likewise, it's hard to know when an independent seller working through Amazon will run out of something, which makes me a bit leery about today's deal. But, hey, nothing ventured, nothing saved, am I right? (It's an expression!)

For a limited time, … Read more

Get a 3-terabyte USB 3.0 hard drive for $79.99

Shooting a lot of photos and/or videos? Ripping a lot of Blu-ray movies? Recording a lot of TV shows? Activities like these require a lot of storage -- the more, the better.

Through tomorrow, or until they sell out, Newegg has the Western Digital My Book 3TB external USB 3.0 hard drive for $79.99 shipped. That's after applying coupon code 72HRSL066 at checkout. (Note that you must be a registered Newegg user in order to use the code.)

Update: Well, folks, the universe has conspired against me once again. I promise you I tested that code … Read more

Cutting tool gadget thinks outside the plastic wrap box

Leftovers. There are always leftovers. Obviously, dealing with leftovers is a nice problem to have. With a quick peek into the fridge, yesterday's meal can quickly become today's snack. But it's getting them into the fridge that's the hard part. There are storage containers in every shape and size, yet somehow that never seems to fully save all the leftovers. Enter plastic wrap. That is, enter plastic wrap everywhere: shredded pieces on the counter, balled-up rejects in the trash, and misshapen mistakes trying to cover food.

Wrestling with plastic wrap is one of those first-world problems … Read more

Insignificant bug keeps encrypted disks unlocked after ejecting in OS X

Apple's CoreStorage disk encryption technology has a small bug that will keep a disk unlocked, even after it has been ejected from the system.

In OS X Lion, Apple introduced a drive management technology called CoreStorage. When enabled, CoreStorage will create a "logical volume group" out of one or more physical drive partitions, and then create usable "logical volumes" from this group to serve as storage for your system. This setup allows the logical volume to span multiple physical partitions (as is seen with Apple's Fusion Drive), and support features like encryption for Apple'… Read more

Fund this: Smart Cargo adds a storage compartment to your iPad

You know what the iPad really needs? Storage.

I don't mean more memory, though obviously there's never enough of that. No, the iPad needs a place to store your keys, stylus, sync cable, earbuds, and all the other detritus that typically clutters up your pocket, purse, or carry-on.

While we're waiting for Apple to invent the iDrawer, check out Kickstarter project Smart Cargo for iPad. This clever storage bin integrates with a Smart Cover or Smart Case to keep all your important stuff close at hand.

Created by Dotan Saguy, who invented the Smarter Stand for iPad, … Read more

Last-minute Father's Day gift: One year of unlimited cloud storage for $79

This is an update of a deal I wrote about earlier this year.

Need a last-minute Father's Day gift for Dad? Nothing says, "Thanks for being such a great guy" like unlimited online storage.

Through Sunday, you can get a one-year Bitcasa Infinite subscription for $79 when you apply coupon code JUSTFORDAD at checkout. That's not quite as sweet a deal as it was last time out (the subscription was $10 less), but it's still a very good price for Bitcasa's unique brand of no-limit cloud hold-'em.

The service supports all the major … Read more

Intel intros low-cost enterprise SSD for data centers

Intel today introduced the DC S3500 series solid-state drive, which brings enterprise performance at a cost that general consumers can afford. The new drive is optimized for read performance, which is important for data centers, or storage servers.

The new drive supports the SATA 3 (6Gbps) standard and is available in both 2.5-inch and 1.8-inch designs. The former is available in 80GB, 120GB, 160GB, 240GB, 300GB, 480GB, 600GB, and 800GB capacities, while the latter is available in 80GB, 240GB, 400GB, and 800GB capacities. Both designs are 7mm thick.

Intel says the new SSD uses its 20nm NAND flash … Read more

Lenovo chief sees servers, storage as key to future

Lenovo chief Yang Yuanqing says his company will be exploiting growth opportunities in servers, storage, and the smartphone industry over the next year.

In an interview with The Wall Street Journal published Thursday, Yang said storage and server solutions are an area that Lenovo wants to expand and develop. In addition, if acquisition opportunities appear, the PC maker will take them.

The Lenovo chief believes there is still a market for PCs, although a number of analysts and research firms disagree. In the latest round of ITC figures, global PC shipments were estimated to have plunged 14 percent year over … Read more

Get a 1TB portable USB 3.0 hard drive for $59.99

The other day I asked if it still made sense to buy a mammoth hard drive. For my money, the smarter buy is a compact, portable, smaller-capacity drive that's fast, affordable, and USB-powered.

Like this one: While supplies last, TigerDirect has the Western Digital Elements SE 1TB USB 3.0 hard drive for $59.99, plus around $4 for shipping. That's after redeeming a $10 mail-in rebate (PDF). It sells elsewhere (Newegg, Staples, etc.) for at least $80.

Compatible with Windows and Mac systems alike (though you'll need to reformat it for use with the latter), the … Read more