Imation Corp.’s new Micro Hard Drive is a 2GB portable storage system that uses USB 2.0. It’s compatible with both Macs and PCs, as well as Linux systems, and its design looks like nothing so much as a padlock.
The device’s unique look is the result of an integrated locking USB cable that can be used to clip the Micro Hard Drive to a belt loop, briefcase or other object when it’s time to go. Inside, the storage device uses a Toshiba-made hard disk drive mechanism that is currently the Guinness Book of World Records’ smallest hard disk drive — smaller than the size of a quarter (0.85 inches), according to Imation.
Included with the drive is Imation Security Manager, a file synchronization and encryption software application that works on Windows and Mac OS X platforms. Imation Security Manager backs up multiple file versions and applies 128-bit encryption.
The 2GB Micro Hard Drive will be available this month for US$159. A 4GB model is planned for release in the fourth calendar quarter of 2005 and will cost $189.