MaximumPC 2004 08

Reviews

SimpleTech SimpleDrive External 400GB

A really big drive with a few small problems

S

ee that 120GB backup drive at the top of this page? It’s a nice drive, for

sure, but you could fit three of those lil’ buggers inside this big mamma

jamma. With its 400GB capacity, the SimpleDrive is, quite simply, the

largest capacity backup drive on the market.

The mammoth capacity comes compliments of Hitachi’s Kick Ass-win-

ning 7K400 7,200rpm hard drive. SimpleTech has taken the drive, wrapped it

in aluminum, attached a USB 2.0 bridge chip, and dubbed it the SimpleDrive.

It ships with a USB cable, an AC adapter, and a rudimentary backup utility

named StorageSync.

When used as an external hard drive, the SimpleDrive performs admi-

rably. Transfer speeds average approximately 21.5MB/s—which is as fast

as we’ve seen for an external drive—and the temperature of its outer shell

never rose above lukewarm, even during torture tests. The drive makes a bit

more noise during operation than other external drives we’ve tested, but its

aluminum casing still keeps it quieter than your average “naked” 3.5-inch

hard drive.

The other half of the SimpleDrive equation is its bundled StorageSync

backup software. When we tested this software last month with SimpleTech’s

80GB combo drive, we were disappointed by its buggy behavior and frequent

crashes. Sadly, the software didn’t fare very well this time around, either. While

last month we suffered numerous lockups and other anomalies using the appli-

cation , this month StorageSync failed to complete a number of backups and

file sync operations. The error messages ranged from “floating point” issues to

“no more memory” notices. We tried the software with several different drives

in the Lab and achieved successful operation approximately 80 percent of the

time; the other times, our backup efforts were met with seemingly random

errors. Suffice it to say, we don’t recommend

using this software with something as precious

as your personal data.

Our only other complaint with the drive has to do

with the attachable plastic feet that can be used to make the drive stand verti-

cally. It’s impossible to slide the sharp-edged brackets onto the drive without

scratching its soft aluminum

exterior.

In the end, the SimpleDrive

presents a compromise. It’s the

biggest backup drive on the

planet, but you’ll need to buy

a different backup utility, like

Dantz’ Retrospect, if the drive is

to reach its full potential.

—JOSH NOREM

Huge capacity, speedy operation, reasonable price.

SIMPLE

PIMPLE

Included backup software is unreliable, opera-

tion is a bit loud, and feet scratch the case.

$470, http://www.simpletech.com

MAXIMUMPC VERDICT 7

W

e’ve said it before and we’ll say it again—owning an

external backup drive is the “in” thing these days, the PC

equivalent of having long sideburns during the Beverly

Hills 90210 era. And like cheek chops, backup drives come in all

shapes, sizes, and flavors. This month we look at Kanguru’s120GB

QuickSilver Combo drive. The “Combo” moniker refers to the drive’s

USB 2.0/1.1 and FireWire ports, which make it eminently compatible,

whether you own a PC or Mac. As an added bonus, the QuickSilver’s

dual FireWire ports can handle the 800MB/s spec as well as the more

common 400MB/s.

The QuickSilver’s plastic shell houses a Western Digital 1200BB Caviar

hard drive that spins at 7,200rpm and boasts a mere 2MB buffer. FireWire con-

nectivity is provided by the ubiquitous Oxford 911 bridge chip with USB duties

handled by an Ali chipset. In Lab testing, we found the FireWire connection to

be a smidge faster than the USB connection, but just a smidge. On average,

file transfer speeds via either port averaged about 19MB/s.

At the time of this writing, Kanguru includes a free copy of NovaBACKUP

with the drive, and it’s splendidly simple to use. The app allows backup to

either magnetic or optical discs and worked flawlessly for us. You can also

use the app to schedule backups, restore files, and even scan your backups

for viruses. Also included: USB and FireWire cables, drivers for Win98SE

users, and a faux leather carrying case equipped with several pockets and

hook-and-loop straps for keeping the drive secure during transport.

Although we tested the 120GB version, the QuickSilver is available in

sizes ranging from 40GB to 250GB, all of which include a one-year war-

ranty. Granted, this drive

doesn’t really bring anything

new to the table, but it cer-

tainly covers all the backup

bases well, and is affordable

to boot. That’s the kind of

combo we like.

—JOSH NOREM

Take one Hitachi

7K400, wrap it in

an aluminum shell,

and voila—you have

the largest capacity

consumer backup drive

available.

Affordable, highly portable, compatible with any PC.

FURRY POUCH

FURRY COUCH (DAMN CATS!)

No-frills package, semi-cheesy exterior.

$180, http://www.kanguru.com

MAXIMUMPC VERDICT 9

 MAXIMUMPC AUGUST 2004

Most external drives aren’t supposed to be transported, but

the QuickSilver encourages this behavior by including a

marsupial-like pleather pouch (not shown).

Kanguru QuickSilver Combo 120GB

Almost everything we could ‘hop’ for in an external drive