Toshiba's 200GB 2.5" External Drive

On fire sale at Staples, you might grab a 160GB notebook-sized drive for $150 or so, but it'll probably come in a cheap, rattly enclosure. Toshiba's 200GB, 2.5-inch, bus-powered 'sternal is the first model of that size to hit store shelves, and it has a rugged-looking aluminium case to boot.

At $230, it's well over $1 a Gigabyte, but it's the biggest, and when you buy the biggest, you pay what you get for.

It also comes with NTI Shadow backup software too, which "takes care of backup tasks as soon as the computer/laptop is turned on."

Smaller models will also be offered, with the 160GB version costing $180, and the 100GB version priced at $130. Press release after the jump.

TOSHIBA INTRODUCES WORLD’S FIRST 200GB PORTABLE STORAGE DEVICE BASED ON THE COMPACT 2.5-INCH HARD DRIVE PLATFORM

Consumers Can Visit Toshiba Website to Log Their Most Prized Digital Memories for a Chance to Win a Toshiba Satellite® and Toshiba gigabeat® Prize Pack

Irvine, Calif., April 16, 2007 – Toshiba Storage Device Division (SDD), the industry pioneer in mobile storage products, today introduced a 200GB 2.5-inch USB 2.0 portable external hard drive capable of storing up to 57,000 digital photos, 52,000 MP3 music files, 88 DVD videos or 23 high-definition videos. The 200GB portable external hard drive delivers the highest capacity of any backup solution in the compact 2.5-inch hard drive class.

Highlighting the need to preserve and protect digital libraries with its easy-to-use backup solution, the company is sponsoring the “Toshiba Most Prized Digital Memories Sweepstakes" featuring a chance to win a Toshiba Digital Lifestyle Prize Pack that includes a Toshiba Satellite notebook and Toshiba gigabeat® music player. To enter, consumers can visit www.digitalmemories.toshibastorage.com.

Available in 200GB1, 160GB, 120GB and 100GB capacities, Toshiba's new personal storage line offers consumers convenient and simple options for preserving and transporting treasured digital files.

“Each year, consumers are generating thousands of digital content files that represent cherished memories, beloved entertainment content and important family and business information, yet the notion of preserving this information with a backup solution is just beginning to take hold,” said Maciek Brzeski, vice president of marketing, Toshiba SDD. “We have addressed a critical need for preserving digital memories for years to come with a high-capacity, easy-to-use solution that takes the mystery and worry out of data backup.”

Consumer-Friendly Set-Up and Operation

Toshiba's USB 2.0 portable external hard drives come bundled with the award-winning NTI Shadow™ software. The click-free, switch-free and button-free backup solution enables users to simply connect the drive, set the backup parameters and enjoy peace-of-mind in knowing critical and cherished digital information is protected. The easy-to-use solution is ideal for any home or small business.

Built with Portability and Reliability in Mind

Toshiba's USB 2.0 portable external hard drives have been designed with convenience and portability in mind. Leveraging its years of experience in designing mobile hard disk drives for notebooks, digital audio players and other handheld devices, Toshiba has incorporated a special patent-pending shock mount system to provide extra protection against normal wear and tear.
In addition, the drives’ ventilated and sleek black aluminum housing makes them stylish complements to other digital devices and helps dissipate heat more efficiently than similar products on the market. Other features of these eco-conscious, RoHS compatible drives include:

· Compatibility with both Windows and Mac operating systems

· A convenient four-foot USB cable to enable users to easily plug in to any laptop or desktop PC and access their stored files

· USB Hi-Speed Certification for use of the drive in any USB port configuration

· A fingerprint and scratch-resistant black aluminum housing

Toshiba Personal Storage Solutions Available at Retailers Now

Toshiba's new USB 2.0 portable external hard drives are available at www.toshibadirect.com and through other major retailers and online outlets. For a complete list, please visit www.wheretobuy.toshibastorage.com. Manufacturer suggested retail prices (MSRP)2 are:

· 200GB: $229.99

· 160GB: $179.99

· 120GB: $149.99

· 100GB: $129.99