Yes, they are interchangable. But USB 2.0 is MUCH faster (about 40 times as fast). If it's only "some information" I think a Flash key (a 1 Gb is is reasonably priced) is more suitable than an external hard disk.

The alternative would be to mail it (very useful up to, say, 30 Mb zipped) or buy a (or maybe two) PCI USB-card if it's a repeating task and it pays to do it faster.

Kees