Iomega eGo Portable Mac Edition (500GB, USB 2.0, FireWire, cherry red)
Manufacturer: Iomega Corp. Part number: 34629
- More product information:
- Editors' review
- User reviews
- Specifications
- Product series
- Manufacturer info
- Bottom Line:
- Mac and PC users alike will appreciate the Iomega eGo Portable's triple interface connectivity that lets you choose from USB 2.0, FireWire 400, and FireWire 800. Combined with a rugged enclosure, free data protection software, and a robust three-year warranty, this drive is a great example of well-rounded hardware. We thoroughly recommend it both for average consumer as well as data-hounds on a budget.
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Where to buy
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| ![]() | In stock | as of 02/09/2010 | |
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CNET editors' review
Iomega eGo Portable Mac Edition (500GB, USB 2.0, FireWire, cherry red) price range: $119.99 - $149.99
- Reviewed by: Justin Yu
- Edited by: Rich Brown
- Reviewed on: 06/22/2009
The good: Triple interface connection; drop protection durability; fast transfer speeds (especially with FireWire 800), three-year warranty.
The bad: Power cord not included; exposed ports susceptible to dirt.
The bottom line: Mac and PC users alike will appreciate the Iomega eGo Portable's triple interface connectivity that lets you choose from USB 2.0, FireWire 400, and FireWire 800. Combined with a rugged enclosure, free data protection software, and a robust three-year warranty, this drive is a great example of well-rounded hardware. We thoroughly recommend it both for average consumer as well as data-hounds on a budget.
The Iomega eGo Portable Mac Edition combines a rugged exterior with a triple interface design that gives users the option to connect through USB 2.0, FireWire 400, or FireWire 800. The drive is available in three glossy colors in three capacities up to 500GB ($150), but it remains a low-cost solution for storage expansion. Although there isn't much going on in terms of cutting edge design, the Iomega eGo Portable Mac Edition deserves our Editors' Choice recognition for its quick throughput speeds, a rugged design that can stand four-foot drops, and a worry-free three-year warranty.
Design and features
The exterior of the Mac Edition eGo Portable is almost the exact same shape and size as the Windows Version, but the triple interface connection adds a little bulk to the front. The device is still easy to throw into a jacket pocket or a carry-on bag, measuring 0.63 inch long by 3.5 inches wide by 5.63 inches tall. Iomega sells three different version of the device in ruby red (500GB), midnight blue (320GB), and alpine white (250GB) that are compatible with all versions of Mac and Windows operating systems. Since the drive is meant for Mac users, the drive comes formatted to Mac Extended (journaled), but the Mac Disk Utility makes it easy to format it back to HFS+ for cross-platform compatibility.
| Drive type | External USB Flash Hard Drive |
| Connector options | USB 2.0, FireWire 400, FireWire 800 |
| Available capacities | 250GB, 320GB, 500GB |
| Product Dimensions (LWH) | 0.63x 3.5x5.63 inches |
| Capacity of test unit | 500GB |
| OSes supported | Microsoft Windows Vista, 2000, 2000 Professional, XP Home, XP Professional, XP Professional x64; Mac OS X 10.1 - 10.5 or higher |
| Software included | EMC Retrospect, Iomega QuikProtect, and MozyHome Online backup software |
Don't be fooled by the eye-catching glittery paint covering the body--the drive features Iomega's rugged Drop Guard feature that protects the drive from up to a 52-inch drop. We like that all of drives in Iomega's current lineup include this built-in protection, as external storage devices tend to get thrown around more often than other accessories.
The physical design of the drive sticks to the basic rectangular external hard-drive design that we've seen repeatedly. We can't fault Iomega for adhering to the formula, but with other companies like Transcend and their StoreJet 25f pushing the design envelope, we hope Iomega will step it up with the next model. The majority of the case is smooth and rounded except for a cutout on the front edge that houses the USB 2.0, FireWire 400, and FireWire 800 ports. There's also a tiny LCD that glows green while the drive is in use, but unfortunately, this is the first Iomega external hard drive we've tested that does away with their classic auxiliary input power port, so computers lacking a powered USB bus are out of luck. We're also afraid for the exposed FireWire ports that are wide open to whatever dust and junk is floating around in your bag. Is it too much to ask for a rubber shoe?
In addition to physical protection, the eGo Portable also includes a suite of software titles that give it an edge on the competition, including EMC Retrospect Express Backup HD, Iomega's QuikProtect file backup, and a lifetime 2GB per month subscription to MozyHome Online backup. The free software comes with the drive, but you get no CDs in the packaging. Instead, Iomega cleverly includes license codes for each program, which you then download from the Iomega Web site.
EMC Retrospect Express HD is a lighter version of EMC's professional backup software and costs about $50, but it can still perform all the backup functions you need to protect your data, including incremental backups and setting dated restore points. The layout of the program is intuitive and easy to use, especially since there aren't many options on the home screen. In the setup process, you can choose to backup using either simple file duplication or by compressing an entire data dump into one file. The second method is a little easier to organize, although you'll need to reinstall the software onto the new host drive to restore the files. The deal also includes a free lifetime subscription to Mozy.com, a Web site that offers online backups and storage. You only get 2GB per month with the deal, but you can upgrade to unlimited storage for $4.95 per month if you want to take full advantage of the software.
Cost per gigabyte
Although the eGo Portable Mac Edition didn't achieve the lowest cost per gigabyte out of the competition, it still trumped the older model Helium by an impressive 11 cents at $0.34 per gigabyte. None of the latest drives we've tested can get cheaper than the Fujitsu HandyDrive, but keep in mind that none of the other products in the comparison chart below include the additional FireWire ports the eGo Mac Edition has. Considering the vast throughput increases in the performance charts, the eGo is by far the best value out of the bunch and clinches our recommendation for both speed and cost per gigabyte.
(Shorter bars indicate better performance)
Performance
The numbers speak for themselves, and while we're not surprised that the eGo's FireWire 400 scores are much faster than its USB 2.0 scores, we were a little taken back at the significant jump to FireWire 800. Read up on a very informative article on FireWire connections by CNET Labs Technician Dong Ngo to get a more detailed analysis, but we recorded a 15.09 megabyte per second difference between FireWire 400 and 800 on our Mac OS testbed. Dong maintains that FireWire 800 is faster than 400, but not by as large of a margin when transferring data on a Windows XP machine. The FireWire 400 benchmark is still 24.33MB per second faster than USB 2.0 on both operating systems, so you'll see a drastic jump in transfer speed no matter what connection you use.
(Longer bars indicate better performance)
| FireWire 400 (write) | eSATA (read) | eSATA (write) | USB (read) | USB (write) | FireWire 800 (read) | FireWire 800 (write) | FireWire 400 (read) |
Service and support
Iomega continues to set the warranty standard for external hard drives with a generous three-year limited plan that covers standard parts and labor. These new eGo Portables are the first generation of Iomega's drives to offer the full three-year guarantee, and we applaud the company for taking our criticism into consideration. The Iomega Web site and its user-to-user support forums are excellent sources for troubleshooting, but Iomega will replace the drive in the event of a manufacturer's defect.
User reviews
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Heat factor unsafe, Iomega support dismal
by bwano on September 1, 2009
Pros: Lasted 6 hours.
Cons: Unit overheated after about 6 hours use. Stopped working completely. Customer support sends reconditioned unit as replacement. This means I get another previously broken unit. Do not recommend!
Summary: Junk. Customer support terrible.
Summary: Junk. Customer support terrible.
2 out of 2 users found this user opinion helpful.
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Expensive, Fast hard drive with MAJOR COOLING PROBLEM
by Candyman87 on November 27, 2009
Pros: It works well - it does what it should: Stores lots of stuff
Thre connection options: either USB 2.0, FireWire (400 or 800) or eSata
Seems to be resistant against bumps although it doesn't look like it and seems to get scratched easily.Cons: Expensive
Device gets really hot. Seems to have some cooling issue. That worries me...
Connection ports (when not used) have no protection against dust or liquid.Summary: I kind of prefer the Transcend StoreJet with 500GB which was cheaper (already half a year ago!!)
I bought this device because I TRUSTED THE Cnet review - BEWARE guys ...Summary: I kind of prefer the Transcend StoreJet with 500GB which was cheaper (already half a year ago!!)
I bought this device because I TRUSTED THE Cnet review - BEWARE guys - I don't think it deserves all the praising!
Peace,
C@ndy2 out of 3 users found this user opinion helpful.
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Pretty great
by Taylor_Murphy2000 on October 30, 2009
Pros: its pretty good, nice and strong, good look, easy to use, very portable
Cons: the red paint has started to chip around the edges, i did have a little bit of trouple installing, instructions are sketchy
Summary: itis awesome, i got this at best buy for $109,its pretty good.
Summary: itis awesome, i got this at best buy for $109,its pretty good.
1 out of 1 users found this user opinion helpful.
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Not good for daisy chaining
by ttrtilley--2008 on June 25, 2009
Pros: There is no useless power cord that needs to be discarded.
It looks thinner than OWC drives which are fat and hot.Cons: It should have 2 firewire 800 ports and zero firewire 400 ports. Firewire 800 ports are downward compatible with firewire 400.
Summary: I normally daisy chain 2 firewire 800 drives off a single port, both powered by the bus. This won't do..
Summary: I normally daisy chain 2 firewire 800 drives off a single port, both powered by the bus. This won't do..
1 out of 1 users found this user opinion helpful.
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Great Hard Drive
by icraz on July 12, 2009
Pros: -Fast, Especially with Time Machine
-Firewire 800 and 400
-Powered by Firewire or USB
-500gb
-Kool colors
-Super Durable
-Doesn't Scratch
-Incredible Quiet!Cons: -Price Is Around $140 US, Simple tech is around $80-$100
1 out of 2 users found this user opinion helpful.
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FAST and great for switching between PC & MAC
by macandpcuser on January 9, 2010
Pros: Sleek, fast and truly simple to use if you use a single platform.
Cons: Tough to figure out how to get it to work for both Mac as well as a PC. I finally used the MAC utility program to format for the PC and suddenly it worked great for both computers. The final fix was easy, but VERY tough to discover on my own.
Summary: Great value, fast and convenient. If needed for both MAC and PC, try using the MAC Disk Utilities to format for PC. This method FINALLY allowed the eGo to perform ...
Summary: Great value, fast and convenient. If needed for both MAC and PC, try using the MAC Disk Utilities to format for PC. This method FINALLY allowed the eGo to perform perfectly with both platforms. Remember to do it early if you think you will use with both MAC and PC as the process will erase anything on the eGo and leave you with a fresh, but blank slate). I don't leave it on constantly, so I cannot comment about the heat issue.
Specifications
- Manufacturer: Iomega Corp.
- Part number: 34629
- Bottom Line: Mac and PC users alike will appreciate the Iomega eGo Portable's triple interface connectivity that lets you choose from USB 2.0, FireWire 400, and FireWire 800. Combined with a rugged enclosure, free data protection software, and a robust three-year warranty, this drive is a great example of well-rounded hardware. We thoroughly recommend it both for average consumer as well as data-hounds on a budget.
General
- Device Type Hard drive - External hard drive
- Width 3.5 in
- Depth 5.6 in
- Height 0.6 in
- Weight 8 oz
- Enclosure Color Ruby red
Hard Drive
- Capacity 500 GB
- Interface Type IEEE 1394b (FireWire 800) / IEEE1394 (FireWire) / Hi-Speed USB
- Features DropGuard
Storage Controller
- Type None
Storage Controller (2nd)
- Type None
Expansion / Connectivity
- Interfaces 1 x IEEE 1394b (FireWire 800), 1 x IEEE 1394 (FireWire), 1 x Hi-Speed USB
- Compatible Bays None
- Compatible Slots x None
Miscellaneous
- Cables Included 1 x IEEE 1394b cable - External, 1 x IEEE 1394 cable - External, 1 x USB cable - External
Power
- Power Source USB bus, FireWire bus
Software / System Requirements
- Software type MozyHome, EMC Retrospect, Iomega QuikProtect
- Min Operating system Apple MacOS X 10.1 or later, Microsoft Windows Vista / XP, Microsoft Windows 2000 Professional
- System Requirements Details Windows 2000/XP/Vista - RAM 256 MB, MacOS X 10.1 or later - RAM 128 MB
Manufacturer Warranty
- Service & Support 3 years warranty
- Service & Support Details Limited warranty - 3 years
Product series
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Iomega eGo Portable Mac Edition (320GB, USB 2.0, FireWire, blue)
Manufacturer: Iomega Corp.
Specs: 320 GB, IEEE 1394b (FireWire 800) / IEEE1394 (FireWire) / Hi-Speed USB
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Iomega eGo Portable Mac Edition (250GB, USB 2.0, FireWire, white)
Manufacturer: Iomega Corp.
Specs: 250 GB, IEEE 1394b (FireWire 800) / IEEE1394 (FireWire) / Hi-Speed USB
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Iomega eGo Portable Mac Edition (500GB, USB 2.0, FireWire, cherry red)
Manufacturer: Iomega Corp.
Specs: 500 GB, IEEE 1394b (FireWire 800) / IEEE1394 (FireWire) / Hi-Speed USB
Manufacturer info
- Iomega Corp.
- Manufacturer profile
- Browse Iomega Corp. products on Shopper.com
-
- Website: http://www.iomega.com/
- Address:
10955 Vista Sorrento Pkwy, San Diego, CA 92130 - Phone: 801/629-7610
- Email: support@iomega.com








