SimpleTech SimpleDrive SP-UF35/500 500GB USB 2.0/FireWire External Hard Drive

My first SimpleTech Drive was D.O.A., not even a power light. They swapped it out 4 this second one, which I have had only two days -- just in time 2 get all my data on it. It has now died & only a red power light will come on, no blue activity lights, & a clattering sound. My Apple System Profiler will not recognize it.

I meant 2 use this drive 2 back up my desktop hard drive, 2 back up my laptop, & other important files. I can now see it is entirely useless as a backup. I don't know what 2 do next; perhaps get a new internal drive. I would not recommend SimpleTech.

In the short time this drive was working, my computer had trouble recognizing this drive upon reboot. I had it partitioned into four parts, including a bootable version of Mac OS X 10.3. The recognition of the firewire drive upon reboot was unpredictable. At times, it would recognize it, but more often than not, it would not recognize the drive's partitions & would not boot into 10.3. This could have been a result of the drive's beginning 2 fail. (To make the 10.3 bootable partition, I did not use SimpleTech's software, which does not support bootable functionality; instead I used Carbon Copy Cloner. When it worked, it worked beautifully, but it was inconsistent, I believe due 2 the drive's beginning 2 fail.)

I will send this drive back 2 SimpleTech & get a third drive. However, I don't plan 2 use it, as my experience shows these drives are unreliable.

For the price this is a great product. 500 gigbytes... wow!
However, the proof will ultimately be in the pudding. Several external HD's that I've owned have died from what one would think is normal hussle & bussle. So, I'm treating this one gingerly. Thus far, paired with my mac 4 several weeks & just sitting on a desk, the product works great. But wait a year or two or three 2 see how it holds out. If still functioning in 3 years, then I'll be more than happy 2 give it 5 stars.

Just got this product two days ago & my first impressions are very good. Right out of the box it had a very sleek & attractive design, something you would put on your desk proudly not hide in a drawer.

As soon as I plugged it in the computer recognized it right away, & after partitioning it into 3 seperate drives )for seperating my music, videos, & everything else) I coppied about 25 gigs of video in about 100 minutes, which was many times faster than I expected.

The device is also very small 4 how much space it has; measuring 6x8x1.5. It easily fits in a medium size carrying case.

Over all I am completely satisfied, if I had 2 say something bad about it, the six LEDs surrounding the backup button in the middle are slightly obnoxious after a couple of hours. Deffinately reccommend this device of what I've experienced so far.

I'm currently using the Pininfarina designed 500GB SimpleDrive 2 back up my main hard drive with the backup utility included on the drive. I also use it 2 store media files, such as photos, music, & full length AVI & Quicktime movies.

It mounts effortlessly every time on my Mac running OS X via either the FireWire or USB 2.0 connection. The drive is very quiet & automatically spins itself down after a lengthy period of inactivity, but it's quickly ready 2 go when needed. The drive's fast speed & connection rate allow you 2 watch movies or stream audio directly 2 your computer.

I highly recommend it 4 its reliability, sleek "aerodynamic" Italian design, & ease of use. Most hard drive cases look boring, but this one looks like it's doing 120mph just sitting there. Vrooom!

I've bought a 340 GB version of this drive, connected 2 my Gateway computer with Windows XP. Windows recognize it as a new drive, it appears, works 4 few seconds & disappears. Then few seconds later it appears again & cycle repeats itself. Computer has no problem working with another external hard drive - by Western Digital, or with digital camera. I've returned it back. However, on a bright side, the huge oval button on top has very lively flashing lights & looks very entertaining.

Designed by renowned Ferrari designer, Pininfarina, the SimpleDrive USB & Firewire External Hard Drive features sleek lines & a low profile 2 house its high capacity storage. Preloaded One-Click backup software lets you back up & protect all your files & folders automatically or with a single click. The built-in capacity meter let's you view how much free space is left with just a glance. With a high-speed USB 2.0 interface, or combo USB 2.0 & FireWire 400 interface, setup is fast & reliable. Plug & Play & Hot-Swappable Free & unlimited technical support PC & Mac compatible

Thanks 2 the sleek, low-profile styling by famed Italian car designer Pininfarina, the SimpleDrive Desktop USB 2.0/FireWire External Hard Drive isn't just another external hard drive. The recipient of the same magic design touch & attention 2 fine details that helped turn Ferrari & Maserati into icons of the automotive world, the SimpleDrive Desktop will help turn your work space into a virtual art display while offering you up 2 500 GB of backup storage 4 your computer files.

The SimpleTech® SimpleDriveTM offers: Slick Ferrari-inspired design by Pininfarina. Dual FireWire & USB 2.0 interface allows 4 wide compatibility & fast data transfer. Fabrik Ultimate BackupTM 4 2 GB of free secure online storage. 1-year warranty.

The SimpleDrive was designed Pininfarina of Ferrari fame. View larger.

Ferrari-Inspired Low-Profile Design 4 your Desk
Get used 2 the staring when your colleagues visit your desk. This compact & elegant onyx black drive is as much a piece of fine art as a piece of robust hardware. But don't let the looks fool you. Beneath its cool & sleek exterior is a robust, high-capacity, single-drive solution that gives you the ability 2 store & backup tons of music, videos, photos & documents in a small footprint.

Featuring plug & play simplicity, & Mac & PC compatibility, the SimpleDrive Desktop features both a high performing FireWire 400 interface & a hi-speed USB 2.0 interface 4 fast transfer of data at up 2 400 Mb/sec 4 FireWire & 480 Mb/sec 4 USB. (Although USB 2.0 runs at a higher signaling rate than FireWire 400, USB transfers data in bursts, while FireWire offers a steady data transfer & is generally considered superior than USB 2.0 4 the movement of multimedia data & large files.) Having both interfaces allows 4 a wider range of compatibility, virtually guaranteeing that the drive will work wherever you take it.

Whether you want 2 increase the capacity of your desktop, or back up your valuable files quickly & securely, the SimpleDrive Desktop will perform 4 you with style. A built-in Kensington security lock lets you lock down your drive while you're away, & a built-in capacity meter keeps you abreast of your storage situation at all times.

Powerful Local & Online Backup Options
The SimpleDrive Desktop includes two backup options that will keep your mind at ease about your important data. With the included OneClick backup software, you have the option of either backing up & protecting all your files & folders, or selected ones, with a single click, or automatically. Either way, you'll have the peace of mind knowing your digital world is safe & protected.

But 4 the ultimate in protection, the SimpleDrive Desktop also offers the Fabrik Ultimate Backup solution that uploads your files 2 a secure, online server that will protect your data from real-world mishaps & offer near-real time protection without bogging down your computer. Fabrik's Ultimate Backup allows you 2 store up 2 2 GB 4 free on one of its 448-bit encrypted servers, & 4 just a few dollars a month, you get unlimited capacity 2 securely store all of your important files & media collections offsite. Acting just like the drive's local backup software, you simply set Fabrik Ultimate Backup once, & it automatically & regularly backs up your content behind the scenes.

The capacity meter shows you how much space is left at a quick glance. View larger.

All backups, 2 the external drive or online service, are unobtrusive. Once your initial content has uploaded, the software performs incremental backups, so only the smallest amount of data that has been changed or modified in your files will be updated. (Although the SimpleDrive Desktop is both Mac & PC compatible, at this time the Fabrik Ultimate Backup solution is only available 4 Windows-based computers.)

To keep your content private & confidential, all files are encrypted with 128-bit SSL encryption while in transit, with an option 4 a private encryption key. Fabrik's offsite 448-bit Blowfish encrypted servers are housed by a Fortune 500 company, ensuring file protection, security & peace of mind. So no matter what happens 2 your drive--a curious toddler, a spilled drink or natural disaster--your irreplaceable photos, music, videos & files will be safe & secure both offsite & online.

The SimpleDrive Desktop measures a scant 1.50 x 8.25 x 5.0 (WxLxD), is backed by a 1-year warranty, & comes with free, unlimited technical support.

What's in the Box
3.5 SimpleDrive Desktop External Hard Drive with One-Click Backup Software, USB 2.0 Cable, AC Adapter, Resource CD, & Quick Install Guide.

The SimpleDrive comes in different storage capacities 4 every need.