Toshiba v Western Digital Portable Drives

tech: Toshiba v Western Digital Portable Drives

November 7 2008 | Arnold Pistorius

As we wend dangerously close to the Chrimbo gift-giving season, I am starting to look at some credit-crunching prezzies that will fit nicely into your stocking from Santa.

On the chopping block today I have two portable hard drives. Yes, storage isn’t exactly the most exciting thing one can invest in, but everyone needs more drive space and these devices are at the nattier end of the spectrum.

Take in the Toshiba Electric Blue and the Western Digital Passport Essential, both of which are available in capacities in the hundreds of gigabytes for under a hundred pounds. Watch the video for my verdict.

comments

drpatter

November 7th, 2008 - 2:56pm

Thanks Wil. I look forward to other gift ideas. Hopefully you will put in a few gifts for the girlfriends.

Also, the light music in the background is a nice touch.

Jim

November 7th, 2008 - 3:29pm

I definitely need a drive like this. I hate having to plug in my current 500gig drive to back stuff up, it means crawling around under my desk trying to remember which adapter it is.

I’d prefer a firewire drive for better speed when I backup large amounts, but I’d be able to use these with any computer.

I disagree about the background music though, I found it quite distracting and made me feel a bit uneasy for some reason!

Theo Jones

November 7th, 2008 - 4:45pm

Would have been nice to see a more in depth review, which is better built - give it a drop or two etc

Drive speed isn’t really a factor because they are limited to the speed of USB which is slower.

Angel Mercury

November 7th, 2008 - 6:23pm

We used these at work a lot for running data to other companies. They’re awesomely portable, but the lack of firewire really kills the joy.

Western digital always gives their externals with firewire a slightly upscale sounding name so I know their option is the My Passport Studio. Don’t know what Toshiba’s firewire option is called. The firewire option will bump the price up a few bucks, but well worth the speed. With firewire I’d about say these are must buys.

jpdeleon

November 9th, 2008 - 12:01am

Nice gadgets…