Behold II Smartphone with AndroidHitachi SimpleTough external hard drive (USB 2.0, 320GB)
Manufacturer: Hitachi America Ltd. Part number: ST/320GB
- More product information:
- Editors' review
- User reviews
- Specifications
- Product series
- Manufacturer info
- Bottom Line:
- The Hitachi SimpleTough is by far the most indestructible external hard drive we've tested, capable of surviving drops of up to 10 feet and up to one ton of pressure. With a built-in USB cable, two-tiered data security package, and an impressive three-year warranty, we have no issue recommending this external hard drive to shoppers looking for space and security.
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Where to buy
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| Amazon.com Marketplace | | In stock | as of 02/08/2010 | |
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CNET editors' review
Hitachi SimpleTough external hard drive (USB 2.0, 320GB) price range: $60.29 - $146.01
- Reviewed by: Justin Yu
- Edited by: Rich Brown
- Reviewed on: 09/30/2009
The good: Conveniently integrated USB cable; three-year warranty; local and online data backup; rubber body can withstand 9.8-foot drops and a ton of pressure.
The bad: No FireWire port; competitors have cheaper cost per gigabyte without rugged specifications; larger than average hardware design.
The bottom line: The Hitachi SimpleTough is by far the most indestructible external hard drive we've tested, capable of surviving drops of up to 10 feet and up to one ton of pressure. With a built-in USB cable, two-tiered data security package, and an impressive three-year warranty, we have no issue recommending this external hard drive to shoppers looking for space and security.
The $140 Hitachi SimpleTough external hard drive is one of many ruggedized storage devices we've reviewed recently. The Iomega eGo Camo and Transcend's StoreJet 25 Mobile both offer drives with a protective exterior designed to handle drops and physical abuse, but the 500GB SimpleTough is truly the toughest of them all with a drop-resistance of up to 10 feet. Combined with a conveniently integrated USB cable and a comprehensive three-year warranty, the Hitachi SimpleTough is the ideal carry-along for the traveler who needs more space and an ultradurable design.
Design and features
The general rule of thumb with ruggedized gadgets is the tougher the device, the uglier it looks, and the Hitachi SimpleTough walks a fine line between beefed-up durability and unapologetic gaudiness. The exterior of the drive is wrapped in a carbon-black rubberized weave with a smooth texture that has a surprising amount of grip, but any concern we have about its backbone is immediately shut down by the large, rubberized shock bumpers that protect the drive on both sides. These barriers are sturdy enough to protect your data from up to a 10-foot drop--that's five more feet of protection than the Iomega eGo Camo offers--and pressure up to one ton. Though we only dropped the Hitachi from various distances around the office, a Hitachi representative told us about his endurance test where he placed a SimpleTough on a concrete road and ran over it with a 1998 Chevy 3500 cab truck. Afterward, the drive performed as new and yes, the truck did weigh one ton. Although we don't have the means to submit the drive to a one-ton pressure test, we assume that the SimpleTough can withstand the rigors of daily transport.
| Drive type | External USB hard drive |
| Connector options | USB 2.0 |
| Available capacities | 250GB, 320GB, 500GB |
| Capacity of test unit | 500GB |
| Operating systems supported | Microsoft Windows, Mac OS X |
| Software included | Hitachi Ultimate Backup, Joggle digital content manager |
You can only connect the drive to a computer with a USB connection (although we wish it had FireWire for Mac users); however, the drive has a convenient built-in cord that wraps and neatly hooks to itself underneath the chassis. The cord is also wrapped in a hard plastic that, we assume, will last just as long as the body. The drive is USB-powered, so there's no need for an external power source.
In addition to protection from physical damage, Hitachi also gives you a two-tiered solution to prevent data loss because of natural disasters and other circumstances. First, the Local Backup software lets you set up automatic backups to a host computer, and the Ultimate Backup software gives you 2GB of free online storage through Hitachi's off-site servers. You also get a free copy of Joggle, Hitachi's media organization tool that lets you view and arrange your photos, music, and videos without clicking through multiple menu levels or Web sites. Finally, the software makes it easy to share content through social networks and personal Web pages.
Cost per gigabyte
The drive comes in three capacities in a variety of colors: 250GB in red ($90), 320GB in blue ($110), and the 500GB in the textured carbon-black finish for $140 that we tested. As you can see in the chart, the SimpleTough costs $0.30 per gigabyte, which comes in at exactly average for an external hard drive. Other drives such as the Seagate Black Armor PS110 cost more at $0.32 per gigabyte, but it's certainly not the cheapest drive out there. That award goes to the Fujitsu HandyDrive, which remains king of the castle at just $0.27 per gigabyte.
(Shorter bars indicate cheaper cost)
Performance
As always, we perform a simple data transfer test and compare the Hitachi SimpleTough with four other external drives in a similar price range. The test results place the SimpleTough right in the middle at 28.6 megabytes per second to read and 22.3Mbps to write our 6GB mixed media file folder. The chart shows the faster and slower drives on the market, but the differences are so minor that you likely won't be able to tell unless you're transferring a 10GB or larger file.
(Longer bars indicate better performance)
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Service and support
We have to applaud Hitachi for offering a generous three-year limited warranty with the SimpleTough drive series. We always urge vendors to raise the warranty period to at least three years since many people throw around these portable devices without regard for hardware. We hope the extended durability will save the drive from any physical failure, but you know never know, so we're happy It is providing an extra security blanket. A comprehensive list of FAQs, user guides, and drivers are all available on the Hitachi Technical Support Web site, and telephone support is available 6:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. PT Monday through Friday.
User reviews
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This is a defective product that should be recalled.
by ninthst on December 10, 2009
Pros: If it had held up it would have been a good portable drive . . .
Cons: The USB cable attached permanately to the drive fails after a short time!!!
Summary: Recall this product! It can cause huge problems for users.
Summary: Recall this product! It can cause huge problems for users.
1 out of 1 users found this user opinion helpful.
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The drive cable power became intermittent.
by giddensg on November 18, 2009
Pros: Small drive. Overall, felt rugged.
Cons: The supplied USB cable is too short and permanently attached at one end to the drive, making it difficult to support the drive when it is attached to a USB port on a typical desktop computer. Cable power became intermittent after minimal use.
Summary: The drive was to be used to interchange data between a laptop and desktop computer (in different locations). The drive worked OK for a few days. Then the drive power ...
Summary: The drive was to be used to interchange data between a laptop and desktop computer (in different locations). The drive worked OK for a few days. Then the drive power became intermittent. It turned out that the cable could not be straightened beyound a certain point or power to the drive would be lost. I was able to read the data stored on the drive by proping the drive in such a position so as to keep the cable curled close to the drive. Fortunately, COSTCO took the drive back. I will no linger buy a drive unless it uses a standard removable USB cable.
1 out of 1 users found this user opinion helpful.
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A PIECE OF DIGITAL GARBAGE!
by arielwollinger on February 4, 2010
Pros: IT WORKED!
Cons: IT DOESN'T WORK ANYMORE! AFTER A LITTLE MORE THAN 4 WEEKS THIS PIECE OF **** FAILED ME! IT IS THE DAMN CABLE!
Summary: DON'T
BUY
THIS!
I wont even bother sending it to support. I'll just buy a empty case and put the HD on it. Open this sardine can by ...Summary: DON'T
BUY
THIS!
I wont even bother sending it to support. I'll just buy a empty case and put the HD on it. Open this sardine can by ripping the side rubber thingies and removing the 4 screws ( one was already used and was hahrd to remove, I can't fathom why was used in a new product...). rip the HD from it's disgusting guts and pop it in a new case. Use the old case as fuel for cold days. -
An absolutely terrible product from Hitachi
by jesse_wills on January 10, 2010
Pros: Still to figure out
Cons: Everything. The drive actually died on day 2.
Summary: I got one of these to supplement the hard drive on my computer, thinking that a product from a name like Hitachi will be reliable. But to my utter disappointment, ...
Summary: I got one of these to supplement the hard drive on my computer, thinking that a product from a name like Hitachi will be reliable. But to my utter disappointment, the drive died on day 2, taking my data with it to the grave. I still have to see if the warranty will get my drive replaced, but the data is undoubtedly GONE forever. Do not buy this product unless you have extra money to waste (in which case, the better idea will be to donate that money to charity or to me, I need to buy a new drive anyway).
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I can not recommend this product, even to my enemies.
by thayer_in_ct on December 26, 2009
Pros: The only advantages of this product are soon erased by its failure.
Cons: I had exactly the same results as the other folks who plunked down cold hard cash. It works for a short period of time, and then the built-in USB cable fails. Honestly, if you have one that still works, salvage the data now while you still can.
Summary: Bottom-line is that my experience with this product was not even close to its marketing hype. I was able to use it for about a month before the cable failed. ...
Summary: Bottom-line is that my experience with this product was not even close to its marketing hype. I was able to use it for about a month before the cable failed. It lasted just long enough for me to feel like I could trust it. Fortunately everything on it is backed up, but that really isn't the point, is it?
In the future I won't ever be buying any drives with a fixed cable.
Thayer -
Works great, but only for a month.
by heggrich on December 19, 2009
Pros: First month.
Cons: Second month.
Summary: I have had 2 drives that did the same thing. Works for a month, then the computer will not see the drive. All data on drive is gone.
Summary: I have had 2 drives that did the same thing. Works for a month, then the computer will not see the drive. All data on drive is gone.
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Warranty is Useless
by bensmith3 on December 16, 2009
Pros: Cute & USB connector is attached
Cons: Device failed in two days. Cannot get data removed or device destroyed to protect against identity theft.
Summary: Bought this two days ago and backed up a great deal of confidential information that I wanted to store in a safety deposit box. Device started failing when I reconnected ...
Summary: Bought this two days ago and backed up a great deal of confidential information that I wanted to store in a safety deposit box. Device started failing when I reconnected yesterday.. Now it has failed completely. Problem is I don't want to turn this in for a replacement/refund unless I can be sure all the data is removed or the unit is destroyed. Costco (by phone) says they can't help. Hitachi says Costco handles the problem for the first 30 days. I understand I got a defective unit, but I am NOT comfortable handing over a device that someone at Hitachi (where Costco says they send the unit to) would not open this up and recover the data. Anyone have any suggestions to prevent Identity Theft...
Specifications
- Manufacturer: Hitachi America Ltd.
- Part number: ST/320GB
- Description: People live in a rough world so why not take your data with you? SimpleTOUGH is the ultimate in durability and data safety, all in a ruggedly handsome design. Made with a rough and tumble lifestyle in mind, SimpleTOUGH features ergonomic sides for easy carrying, velvety smooth rubberized body, an integrated, flexible USB cable (you'll never forget the cable again!) and a cool topside LED. But don't be fooled by its stylish exterior! Designed and constructed for an active lifestyle, SimpleTOUGH won't let you down. Award-winning Hitachi disk drives ensure that your data is safe and sound. Just plug one in, and inside you'll find smart ways to protect and manage all your precious stuff. SimpleTOUGH features both local and online backup for unbeatable, total protection. You'll not find tougher or more stylish portable storage than SimpleTOUGH. Backed by the Hitachi brand of reliable and fast hard disk drives, SimpleTOUGH delivers on its promise to "Inspire the Next". Now you can rest assured that your valuable data is protected by the leader in storage.
General
- Device Type Hard drive - External hard drive
- Weight 9.4 oz
Hard Drive
- Form Factor 2.5"
- Capacity 320 GB
- Interface Type Hi-Speed USB
- Features Spill resistant, Rugged pocket-sized design
Performance
- Data Transfer Rate Details USB 2.0
Storage Controller
- Type None - External - USB 2.0
- Controller interface type USB 2.0
Storage Controller (2nd)
- Type None
Expansion / Connectivity
- Interfaces 1 x Hi-Speed USB - 4 pin USB Type A
Miscellaneous
- Cables Included 1 x USB cable
Software / System Requirements
- Software type Hitachi Local Backup, Joggle digital content manager
Manufacturer Warranty
- Service & Support 3 years warranty
- Service & Support Details Limited warranty - 3 years, Technical support - 3 years
Product series
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Hitachi SimpleTough external hard drive (USB 2.0, 500GB)
Manufacturer: Hitachi America Ltd.
Specs: 500 GB, Hi-Speed USB, External, 2.5"
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Hitachi SimpleTough external hard drive (USB 2.0, 250GB)
Manufacturer: Hitachi America Ltd.
Specs: 250 GB, External, 2.5 in
-
Hitachi SimpleTough external hard drive (USB 2.0, 320GB)
Manufacturer: Hitachi America Ltd.
Specs: 320 GB, Hi-Speed USB, External, 2.5"
Manufacturer info
- Hitachi America Ltd.
- Manufacturer profile
- Browse Hitachi America Ltd. products on Shopper.com
-
- Website: http://www.hitachi.com
- Address:
2001 Ruppman Plaza, Peoria, IL 61614 - Phone: 1-800-448-2244
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