SimpleTech Signature Mini (250GB, gray)
Manufacturer: SimpleTech USA Part number: FS-U25/250M
- More product information:
- Editors' review
- User reviews
- Specifications
- Product series
- Manufacturer info
- Bottom Line:
- The SimpleTech Signature Mini Black Cherry is a compact, USB-only external hard drive that will tempt you with its sleek design, and then win you over with its capacity, performance, and price.
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Where to buy
| store | customer rating | inventory | tax & shipping | price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amazon.com Marketplace |  | See Site | Enter zip code to get total price: Price +Tax +Shipping =Total price | as of 12/02/2009 |
CNET editors' review
SimpleTech Signature Mini (250GB, gray) price range: $192.99
- Reviewed by: Dong Ngo
- Edited by: Matthew Elliott
- Reviewed on: 05/20/2008
The good: Large capacity for a travel drive; very compact and light; bus powered; good bundled backup software; cool and quiet in operation; three-year warranty; two free gigabytes of online storage.
The bad: No FireWire; doesn't ship with power cord.
The bottom line: The SimpleTech Signature Mini Black Cherry is a compact, USB-only external hard drive that will tempt you with its sleek design, and then win you over with its capacity, performance, and price.
Available in Bubblegum, Marshmallow, Blueberry, and Kiwi varieties, SimpleTech's Signature Mini series of portable hard drives might leave you with a minor sugar high. We tested the top-of-the-line 320GB Signature Mini Black Cherry model (the other flavors range in size from 120GB to 250GB) and came away impressed. Like last year's model, the drive is designed by Pininfarina, the famed Ferrari designer. The drive is compact, stylish, and comes bundled with a backup application, but the one drawback is it provides only a USB 2.0 connection. As a contrast, the OWC Mercury On-the-Go supplies FireWire 400 and 800 connections in addition to USB. To its credit, the Signature Mini boasts a smaller footprint and is almost half the weight of the Mercury, while costing you less per gigabyte. The SimpleTech Signature Mini can be found for roughly $180 online--for a very competitive $0.56 per GB. Though 320GB is rather roomy for a portable hard drive that uses a 2.5-inch laptop drive, the Mercury On-the-Go is still the largest such drive at 500GB. If you don't need the largest capacity and can live without a FireWire connection, however, we like the SimpleTech Signature Mini for its high style, low cost, and compact size.
| Drive type | External hard drive |
| Connector options | USB 2.0 |
| Available capacities | 320GB, 250GB, 160GB, 120GB |
| Capacity of test unit (if applicable) | 320GB |
| Drive speed | 5,400rpm |
| Cache | 8MB |
| Dimensions (LWH) | 5 inches x 3 inches x 0.6 inch |
| Notable design features | Compact, designed by Pininfarina |
| OSes supported | Windows XP, Vista, Mac OS X |
| Software included | Fabrik Local Backup |
| Service and Support | Three-year warranty |
Design and features
The SimpleTech's Signature Mini Black Cherry ships in a package that looks more like a box of chocolates than an external hard drive. Inside the box, you'll find the drive, a USB cable, and a small Read Me First booklet. You can skip the booklet; simply connect the drive to a USB port on your PC (or Mac), and you'll be up and running. The included cable features a Y-connector that lets you plug the drive into two USB ports in case one doesn't provide enough power. We didn't run into any instances during testing where we needed to use the second connector. The drive works with other single-connector USB cables too.
On the back of the drive, you will find the USB port and a power jack, which is necessary only for old computers with USB 1.1 ports that don't provide enough juice to power the drive. It's hard to find such computers nowadays and for that reason, SimpleTech doesn't include the power adapter in the package. The Signature Mini also lacks an on/off switch, which is convenient for turning off your drive while leaving it connected to your PC for long stretches.
Overall, the Signature Mini presents an eye-catching design and feels sturdy and well built. On top, there are two LED lights to indicate if the drive is powered up (red) and the operation of the internal hard drive (blinking blue). On the bottom, the drive has two rubber feet that keep it from slipping and sliding on your desk. The drive is also very light, weighing only 5.8 ounces (as opposed to 12.5 ounces of the OWC Mercury)
The drive comes bundled with Fabrik Local Backup as the backup solution both for Macs and PCs. We tried the software, and it worked well. It also ships with the Fabrik Ultimate Backup online service that offers 2GB of good-forever online storage for free or unlimited for $4.95 per month.
Cost per GB
Compared with competing portable hard drives that feature small, 2.5-inch laptop drives, the SimpleTech Signature Mini Black Cherry, along with the Maxtor OneTouch 4 Mini, is the cheapest option we've tested, costing $0.56 per gigabyte. We were pleased to see that you aren't asked to pay a price premium for the Pininfarina design as you do, say, with a Ferrari.
| Model | Capacity | Est. street price | Cost per GB |
| SimpleTech Signature Mini Black Cherry | 320GB | $180.00 | $0.56 |
| Maxtor OneTouch 4 Mini | 160GB | $90.00 | $0.56 |
| Iomega eGo Portable Hard Drive | 160GB | $100.00 | $0.63 |
| OWC Mercury On-The-Go | 500GB | $350.00 | $0.70 |
| Toshiba USB 2.0 Portable External HDD | 160GB | $140.00 | $0.88 |
Performance
The Signature Mini Black Cherry did very well in the labs. It topped the charts among pocket-size, external hard drives on our USB 2.0 write test, scoring 147.4Mbps (as opposed to 138.5Mbps of the OWC Mercury On-the-Go). On our read test, it finished in the middle of the pack--we typically don't see much variance in read performance among USB drives. Do note that a drive with FireWire support, such as the OWC Mercury On-the-Go, will offer faster throughput using that interface than USB 2.0.
(Longer bars indicate better performance)
 |
Write | |
Read |
During the testing process, the Signature Mini Black Cherry worked smoothly and quietly. It also managed to stay relatively cool all the time, which is a pleasant surprise as the drive doesn't seem to have any ventilation.
Service and support
SimpleTech backs the Signature Mini Black Cherry (as well as other models in the Signature Mini series) with a generous three-year warranty. Its toll-free technical support is available from 6:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. PT. At the company's Web site, you can find FAQs as well as drivers, software updates, and manuals.
User reviews
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Not a dependable drive.
by giddensg on November 18, 2009
Pros: Small footprint. Light clearly shows when drive is active.
Cons: Drive quit working a year after purchase even though it was only used infrequently to store backup data from a laptop computer for transfer to a desktop computer hard drive.
Summary: The drive was always handled gently and carried in a laptop computer case. When in use, it was always placed gently upon a flat surface. Yet, it lasted only a ...
Summary: The drive was always handled gently and carried in a laptop computer case. When in use, it was always placed gently upon a flat surface. Yet, it lasted only a year. The symptoms were as follows: When plugged in to a USB 2.0 port, the drive would exhibit activity and be recongnized by the computer part of the time. When not recognized, I would have to repeatedly unplug the drive, wait a few seconds, and then plug the drive in again until the drive was finally recognized. This got progressively worse until the drive would never be recognized.
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Terrific! Fast, durable, stable.
Pros: Not sure what the complaints are about. Use this heavily and constantly. Never a hiccup. It is exactly as described in the CNET review. I wish only that I had bought two at the time, given how difficult it is to find one today.
Cons: No complaints. One bout of slight noisiness.
Summary: Style, yes: trim profile and tiny footprint are terrific. Speed, fast. Stability, first rate. Just as I drive a stick-shift car, however, I do not use automated backup software. Ever.
Summary: Style, yes: trim profile and tiny footprint are terrific. Speed, fast. Stability, first rate. Just as I drive a stick-shift car, however, I do not use automated backup software. Ever.
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It is a real piece of junk
by riquet on October 13, 2009
Pros: Design by Pininfarina, it that means something to anybody. I really do not know the advantage of a Ferrari designer on a hard drive, but it is supposed to appeal.
Cons: Constant hardware failure messages, with the included TotalBackup solution I have not been able to produce a single backup of personal data files because of that
error message. This junk is going back to Fry's first thing tomorrow morning.Summary: Uses 2 USB ports - one for the power and the other for the signal. The unit works as an external usb drive to copy a couple of files, but ...
Summary: Uses 2 USB ports - one for the power and the other for the signal. The unit works as an external usb drive to copy a couple of files, but for an automated full backup - just forget it. Windows XP computer. I wish I should have read the user reviews, but this is an opportunity to save people trips to the store. Just don't consider this cheap, unreliable unit. You get what you pay for. $192.99
at Amazon Marketplace? It cost me $65.24 dlls including tax at Fry's Electronics
in California. Now, I would not even consider it for free. -
Mostly runs as usb 1 drive not at enhanced usb 2 speeds
by iblibl on January 20, 2009
Pros: small form factor. entirely bus powered. low cost.
Cons: all my usb ports are usb 2 but when this drive hooks up it thinks it is connecting to a usb 1 port and data transfer is slooow. Rebooting with drive attached it may behave as a usb 2 but switches soon to usb 1.
I plan to get another external driveSummary: I have not lost any data but the slow speed makes it unusable for backing up ipods and similar uses. When I complained to customer service I got no response. ...
Summary: I have not lost any data but the slow speed makes it unusable for backing up ipods and similar uses. When I complained to customer service I got no response. I would stay away from this company and its products.
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Defective Out of the Box - Don't waste your $
Pros: Absolutely nothing (if I could give less than 1/2 star I would)
Cons: Doesn't work - appears to be defective; ridiculous plastic packaging that needs to be cut open - not returnable to the store w/o the packaging; SimpleTech customer service is impossible to reach by phone and have not responded to email or fax.
Summary: Supposedly plug and play product is not recognized by my PC despite being plugged into one or two USBs, restarted over and over. It was recognized exactly once - when ...
Summary: Supposedly plug and play product is not recognized by my PC despite being plugged into one or two USBs, restarted over and over. It was recognized exactly once - when I closed the "My Computer" window and re-opened later to copy some files over to the drive, it had disappeared (forever, apparently). SimpleTech customer service is non-responsive.
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Unreliable out of the box. Inconsistent behavior.
by andrewroz on December 10, 2008
Pros: Small Size, Bus Powered, Cheap.
Cons: Unreliable out of the box. Have to unplug & re-plug to get Windows to recognize it every time you power up or restart. Takes up 2 USB ports (necessary to get enough power). Light doesn't indicate when drive is being accessed.
Summary: I bought 2 of these from Costco for $85 each. I planned to use them for offsite backup of both my home computers and my laptop. I tried to copy ...
Summary: I bought 2 of these from Costco for $85 each. I planned to use them for offsite backup of both my home computers and my laptop. I tried to copy large amounts of data (like my entire My Documents folder; thousands of files, 20 gigs). It always stops part-way through with some sort of error, such as: "Delayed Write Failure" or something like that. Then the folders on the Simpletech appear to be empty when I had just seen files in them moments before. So I restarted Windows (and unplugged / replugged the drive) and some files were there again. I tried this 3 times with different types of files and different amounts. I just don't think I can trust these drives. I guess you get what you pay for. I'm gonna return both of these.
Specifications
- Manufacturer: SimpleTech USA
- Part number: FS-U25/250M
- Bottom Line: The SimpleTech Signature Mini Black Cherry is a compact, USB-only external hard drive that will tempt you with its sleek design, and then win you over with its capacity, performance, and price.
General
- Device Type Hard drive - External hard drive
- Width 3 in
- Depth 5 in
- Height 0.6 in
- Enclosure Color Marsh-mallow
Hard Drive
- Form Factor 2.5"
- Capacity 250 GB
- Interface Type Hi-Speed USB
- Buffer Size 8 MB
- Features Bus Powered by USB
Performance
- Interface Transfer Rate 480 Mbps
- Spindle Speed 5400 rpm
Storage Controller
- Type None
Storage Controller (2nd)
- Type None
Expansion / Connectivity
- Interfaces 1 x Hi-Speed USB - 4 pin USB Type B
- Compatible Bays None
- Compatible Slots x None
Power
- External Hard Drive Power Source USB bus
- Power device type None
Miscellaneous
- Cables Included 1 x USB power splitter cable - External
- Compliant Standards Plug and Play
Software / System Requirements
- Software type Fabrik Local Backup Software
- Min Operating system Apple MacOS X, Apple MacOS X 10.3 or later, Microsoft Windows Vista / 2000 / XP
Manufacturer Warranty
- Service & support type 3 years warranty
- Service & Support Details Limited warranty - 3 years, Technical support - Unlimited
Product series
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SimpleTech Signature Mini (250GB, gray)
Manufacturer: SimpleTech USA
Specs: 250 GB, Hi-Speed USB, 2.5", 8 MB, 5400 rpm
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SimpleTech Signature Mini (120GB, black)
Manufacturer: SimpleTech USA
Specs: 120 GB, Hi-Speed USB, 2.5", 5400 rpm
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SimpleTech Signature Mini (160GB, blue)
Manufacturer: SimpleTech USA
Specs: 160 GB, Hi-Speed USB, 2.5", 8 MB, 5400 rpm
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SimpleTech Signature Mini (320GB, red)
Manufacturer: SimpleTech USA
Specs: 320 GB, Hi-Speed USB, 2.5", 8 MB, 5400 rpm
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SimpleTech Signature Mini (250GB, pink)
Manufacturer: SimpleTech USA
Specs: 250 GB, Hi-Speed USB, 2.5", 8 MB, 5400 rpm
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SimpleTech Signature Mini (250GB, light blue)
Manufacturer: SimpleTech USA
Specs: 250 GB, Hi-Speed USB, 2.5", 8 MB, 5400 rpm
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SimpleTech Signature Mini (250GB, green)
Manufacturer: SimpleTech USA
Specs: 250 GB, Hi-Speed USB, 2.5", 8 MB, 5400 rpm
Manufacturer info
- SimpleTech USA
- Manufacturer profile
- Browse SimpleTech USA products on Shopper.com
-
- Website: http://www.simpletech.com/
- Address:
1830 East Warner Avenue, Santa Ana, CA 92705 - Phone: 1-949-477-7700
- Email: support@simpletech.com
- Fax: 1-949-756-8289
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