SmartDisk USBFLB80 FireLite 80 GB 2.5-Inch USB 2.0 Portable Hard Drive

Bought the FlashTrax Media Player. After a power outage the hard drive was fine, but the main computer would not recognize the drive. We were only three months over the one year warranty, & even though we would pay 4 the repair they said they wouldn't touch it after it was out of warranty. POOR CUSTOMER SERVICE. Poor attention was given 2 detailed emails, had 2 keep repeating the same thing over & over.
Their final response...."But it is the way that we have everything set up. We can not change things because you want us to. It would not be fair 2 every other customer who fellows the rules & saves their paper work. Good luck." Hello? I had the paperwork.

Great 4 backing up pictures & music files. That's all I use it for. No issues on Windows XP with a Dell Inspiron 600m.

I have a 40 gig & an 80 gig of this particular device. Both are USB models.

I would like Firewire, but my laptop does not have Firewire access so I need something that will work between the two without extra equipment.

See my review of the problems with the 40 gig.

However, this drive has performed flawlessly. I hesitate 2 recommend it because of problems with the 40 gig.

BE VERY CAREFUL & ensure this device does not get dropped or jarred. A short drop of less than 2 feet could do it in. SmartDisk does not offer data recovery & other companies that can retrieve the data do so at a very high co$t 2 the con$umer. If you really need your data, the price is worth it, but.... just ensure you are cautious with your handling & it will last years, as mine has. But the lessons learned from the 40 gig...... It is portable, but not shock resistant 2 sharp stops.

As others have written, the entire SmartDisk USB line doesn't work properly with Mac laptops. I got one & it works fine with my wife's PC laptops, but won't even boot on my PowerBook G4. SmartDisk's tech support told me that the silver PowerBook line can't push enough juice through the USB cable 2 power the unit. So basically I have a silver paperweight -- nice. Avoid this product line at all costs.

I purchased this product in order have a backup 4 some major accouting information & personal records. The storage capacity is the same as my desktop computer & was just what I needed. It is quick, efficient easy 2 use. As far as Im concerned it is just the perfect tool 4 me & the price was right!

The FireLite from SmartDisk is a palm-sized portable external hard drive with great looks, huge storage capacities & a slim design that makes it easy 2 carry & use, at home, at your desk, or while jetting around the world. Hundreds of uses, with both desktop & portable computers Back up critical files & applications Carry documents between home & work without a heavy briefcase Use as a high capacity sneakernet at the office Create a bootable backup image 4 safety's sake Includes - 3 foot USB 2.0 cable USB 2.0 port required in host computer 2 realize full speed