Verbatim adds 500GB SmartDisk portable drive

Verbatim Americas on Tuesday announced a Mac and PC-compatible 500GB SmartDisk portable hard drive. The new drive is priced starting at $300 for the USB version. It will also be available in a USB/FireWire 400 combo version.

The drive uses a 2.5-inch hard disk drive mechanism encased in a chassis that measures 3.38 x 5.38 x 0.63 inches and weighing less than six ounces. The mechanism utilizes Perpendicular Magnetic Recording (PMR) technology and operates a 5400 RPM. The drive also operates on bus power, so you don’t need to use an external power supply.

Verbatim noted the drive supports Mac OS X v10.5 “Leopard’s” Time Machine feature. USB-only models also include BounceBack Express, backup software developed by CMS.

Verbatim’s Web site had not been updated with information on the new 500GB drive as Macworld posted this article.