Toshiba HDDR160E01X 160 GB USB 2.0 Portable External Hard Drive

This external drive is small & durable. You don't have 2 use external power. You only need 2 connect the usb cable 2 your computer & that's it. The software included is okay, & very customizable.

I have this running only 4 about 1 month. So far so good. Unbox it,
connect the cable 2 my computers & it works. I don't need the backup
software & so I don't need 2 install any software on my computers.
It is very quiet, & it is very light. Nothing 2 complaint.

This model is advertised as working with USB 2.0, which in my case, it does. (an 18 month old Dell Inspiron). If it had turned out that my USB port did not provide enough power 4 the device, as is apparently the case 4 some buyers, the unit ships with a second USB cable.

The hard drive itself is compact, sleek, & quiet. My only gripe is insignificant 4 my purposes, but worth mentioning: This is advertised as a 160GB hard drive, but my computer tells me that there are only 149GB of free space. Now, I know from experience (Ipods, etc) that some of the storage is going 2 be taken up by whatever software the device uses 2 run itself. But 11 gigs??? Fortunately 4 me, this purchase was just 2 back up personal files that any student would have, like work, photos, & music. Maybe 20GB worth. But if you really need the space, be aware that you're about 11GB short of what the package says.

Lastly, I have no idea if the software does or does not work. The device functions as a straightforward plug & play just fine. While there are hard drives that are designed 2 automatically update upon being connected 2 your machine, & this may be one of them, I find this hard drive works as something I update manually a couple times per week. The upload speed is fast enough (my 20GB of data took under 10min or so) that I don't mind just overwriting everything.

I liked it, but if you are using a laptop & you are focused on portability LOOK For A POWER OUTLET, this product has moving parts & sucks allot of power.

This little guy is just what I was looking for. I have an older laptop, that is on it's last leg. I have 2 wait 2 replace it, but wanted 2 protect my data. I got this because of the shadowing software that monitors files & folders that I tell it to, & backs them up automatically. Now, when my laptop decides 2 die, all I have 2 do is restore the data 2 the new computer. This hard drive operates almost silently, could only hear it if I listened 4 it. Since there is no fan, it does get a little warm after a larger back up, but cooled down quickly. Not hot, just warm. I love how small it is too. Very portable, & easy 2 carry around. With 160gb, it is twice the size of my laptops harddrive, & I will use it 2 store image files once I get my new computer. Perfect 4 anyone needing a larger portable hard drive.

The Toshiba USB 2.0 Portable External Hard Drive is a hassle-free, simple & easy solution 2 your backup needs. It features a unique aluminum body engineered 2 dissipate heat without a fan, 4 near-silent operation.The design includes a patent-pending shock mount system 2 help keep your drive safe during life's little mishaps. The included NTI Shadow backup software eliminates the need 2 push a button or click an icon 2 activate a backup. The software runs in the background capturing updates 2 files & automatically saving them 2 the external drive. The Toshiba USB 2.0 Portable External Hard Drive is automatically powered through the included USB 2.0 cable, eliminating the need 4 a power adapter.