SimpleTech by Hitachi SimpleDrive 500 GB USB 2.0 External Hard Drive SP-U35/500 (designed by Pininfarina)
by SimpleTech
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Digital Photo Product Details
Manufacturer: SimpleTechAudio: English (Original Language)
Model: SP-U35/500
Color: Black
Product features:
- Stylish, external 500 GB Hard Drive with USB 2.0 connection
- Stylish design by Ferrari designer Pininfarina
- Built-in slot for Kensington security lock
- Backed by 1-year warranty and unlimited technical support
- Measures 5.0 x 1.50 x 8.25 inches (WxHxD)
- Case Logic Compact Portable Hard Drive Case (Black)
- AmazonBasics Ultra-High-Speed HDMI Cable Braided (9.8 Feet/3.0 Meters)
Digital Cameras Photo Reviews of SimpleTech by Hitachi SimpleDrive 500 GB USB 2.0 External Hard Drive SP-U35/500 (designed by Pininfarina)
Customer Review: An excellent drive for the price
Summary: 5 Stars
I bought the 500GB desktop version of the drive. From the site, there are 3 versions of the consumer simple drive, the Simple drive mini, the simple drive portable, and the desk top version. Both the Mini and portable versions do not require a separate power supply to power it, but apparently the portable does provide a jack in the back for one if you choose. The desktop version does come with a wall wart power supply as it's required for it to operate, unlike the portable/mini drives has a faster spindle speed (7200, vs 5400RPM), which may explain why the required power supply.
I've had this thing now a bit over a month and I use mine as a secondary drive for all media related files, photos, audio and video, not archiving, but for editing and the like. I have also transfered the backup software to CD and reformatted the drive into 3 partitions, 2 as 166GB, the third as 140 or so GB.
So far, it works great as both a drive for editing audio files, but for video too. At 480MPS, it's plenty fast enough through USB 2.0. There is a version that allows for Firewire use, but only at 400MPS. Mine is the basic USB version. In the month or so I've had it, it's started up just fine, is recognized by Windows XP just fine and has so far not been a problem. The internal drive may well be made by Western Digital and I have 2 of their older Caviars inside my machine and both have given me faithful service for at least 4 years now. I have not looked at the instructions on the CD yet, so far hadn't needed to either but have kept the disk, just in case though.
In my search of externals, I looked at the WD My Book, it's smaller Passport, the Seagate Free Agent Pro, the Maxtor One Touch, HItachi and La Cie, some manufactures, namely the La Cie didn't even offer anything over 320MB capacities, others did, but I found too many issues, namely design issues with the enclosures, the drive to USB interface, or the cable to be legion on some manufacturers, even customer service seems lacking and over the long run, the Simple Tech offered what I needed, a basic external drive, reasonably fast read/write speeds, 7200RPM, Vs 5400RPM spindle speeds, reliability, capacity and at a decent price and it seemed to have fit the bill quite nicely and does very well so far.
The desktop version have the blue LED ring that indicates the rough estimate of the usage of the drive itself in quarter increments, this same ring also rotates sequentially to indicate read/write activity. Since I have 3 partitions on mine, they get recognized individually upon turn on, which is cool.
Overall, I love this drive and it's performance and it definitely does what I need it to do.
Now, all that said, even the Simple Tech had it's issues with clunkers, which will be a given for any electronic device, but the issues seem very few in comparisons to some of the other manufacturers.
If I had to buy another one right now, I'd by exactly what I have, but perhaps in a smaller size for archival purposes only.
***UPDATE***
I've had this drive now over a year, going on 2 years now and it's never missed a beat. It's plugged into a switched power strip, along with my computer monitors and it's not affected the drive one bit. I now run it on a brand new Dell w/ Vista and again, it continues to work without any issues whatsoever.
This drive is no longer available, as they redid the case this year I think but the internal is I think still largely the same, but you CAN still get the smaller 2.5" drives w/ the pinnafarina case however.
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Description of SimpleTech by Hitachi SimpleDrive 500 GB USB 2.0 External Hard Drive SP-U35/500 (designed by Pininfarina)
SimpleTech 500 GB USB 2.0 External Hard Drive (SP-U35/500)Thanks to the sleek, low-profile styling by famed Italian car designer Pininfarina, the SimpleDrive Desktop USB 2.0 External Hard Drive isn't just another external hard drive. The recipient of the same magic design touch and attention to fine details that helped turn Ferrari and Maserati into icons of the automotive world, the SimpleDrive Desktop will help turn your work space into a virtual art display while offering you up to 500 GB of backup storage for your computer files.
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 The SimpleDrive was designed Pininfarina of Ferrari fame. View larger. |
Get used to the staring when your colleagues visit your desk. This compact and elegant onyx black drive is as much a piece of fine art as a piece of robust hardware. But don't let the looks fool you. Beneath its cool and sleek exterior is a robust, high-capacity, single-drive solution that gives you the ability to store and backup tons of music, videos, photos and documents in a small footprint.
Featuring plug and play simplicity, and Mac and PC compatibility, the SimpleDrive Desktop features a hi-speed USB 2.0 interface for fast transfer of data at up to a 480 Mb/sec data transfer rate. Whether you want to increase the capacity of your desktop, or back up your valuable files quickly and securely, the SimpleDrive Desktop will perform for you with style. A built-in Kensington security lock lets you lock down your drive while you're away, and a built-in capacity meter keeps you abreast of your storage situation at all times.
Powerful Local and Online Backup Options
The SimpleDrive Desktop includes two backup options that will keep your mind at ease about your important data. With the included OneClick backup software, you have the option of either backing up and protecting all your files and folders, or selected ones, with a single click, or automatically. Either way, you'll have the peace of mind knowing your digital world is safe and protected.
But for the ultimate in protection, the SimpleDrive Desktop also offers the Fabrik Ultimate Backup solution that uploads your files to a secure, online server that will protect your data from real-world mishaps and offer near-real time protection without bogging down your computer. Fabrik's Ultimate Backup allows you to store up to 2 GB for free on one of its 448-bit encrypted servers, and for just a few dollars a month, you get unlimited capacity to securely store all of your important files and media collections offsite. Acting just like the drive's local backup software, you simply set Fabrik Ultimate Backup once, and it automatically and regularly backs up your content behind the scenes.
 The capacity meter shows you how much space is left at a quick glance. View larger. |
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To keep your content private and confidential, all files are encrypted with 128-bit SSL encryption while in transit, with an option for a private encryption key. Fabrik's offsite 448-bit Blowfish encrypted servers are housed by a Fortune 500 company, ensuring file protection, security and peace of mind. So no matter what happens to your drive--a curious toddler, a spilled drink or natural disaster--your irreplaceable photos, music, videos and files will be safe and secure both offsite and online.
The SimpleDrive Desktop measures a scant 1.50 x 8.25 x 5.0 (WxLxD), is backed by a 1-year warranty, and comes with free, unlimited technical support.
What's in the Box
3.5 SimpleDrive Desktop External Hard Drive with One-Click Backup Software, USB 2.0 Cable, AC Adapter, Resource CD, and Quick Install Guide.
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