Axtremex Technology is pleased to announce a MicroSSD, the new portable high performance external solid state drive with USB 3.0 interface. The MicroSSD is designed in a small form factor that is lightweight, durable and convenient to carry and use. It offers blazing fast data transfer rates and achieves a read speed of up to 420 MB/s and Write speed of up to 400 MB/s.

The device draws power directly from the USB port and requires no external power cord. It is also backward compatible with USB 2.0 ports. The MicroSSD will be available in 32 GB, 64 GB, 128 GB and 256 GB capacities. 512 GB and 1 TB capacities are being planned.

Intel Corporation today announced the Intel Solid-State Drive DC S3500 Series, its latest solid-state drive (SSD) for data centers and cloud computing. Designed for read-intensive applications such as Web hosting, cloud computing and data center virtualization, the Intel DC S3500 Series is an ideal replacement for traditional hard disk drives (HDD), allowing data centers to save significant costs by moving toward an all-SSD storage model.

Intel SSDs, including the Intel SSD DC S3500 Series, enable transformational improvements in cloud infrastructure, fostering new and enriching Web experiences. End customers experience quicker Web page loads and improved response times as a result of dramatically improved data access times and reduced latency. IT managers and cloud developers are rewarded with improved total cost of ownership as a result of reduced power consumption, more consistent performance and smaller space requirements. More than half of U.S. businesses now employ cloud computing applications, and IDC predicts that worldwide spending on cloud services will reach $44.2 billion this year. Data centers powering these cloud applications need to quickly, efficiently and reliably scale to handle the tremendous growth of connected users and data traffic.

Buffalo Technology, a global leader in the design, development and manufacturing of wired and wireless networking and network and direct attached storage solutions, today announced that its DriveStation DDR, a high performance external USB 3.0 hard drive with 1 GB DDR3 RAM cache for accelerated transfer speeds, is available for purchase today at select retail partners. Ideal for a variety of users including tech enthusiasts, digital photographers and videographers and media buffs, DriveStation DDR offers extremely fast file transfers, comparable to SSD, with the high capacity and value of a traditional external HDD device.

The DriveStation DDR utilizes Buffalo's MegaCache Accelerator, a 1 GB DDR3 RAM cache system, to greatly accelerate file transfer rates, notably outperforming other USB 3.0 hard drives. Compared to a standard USB 3.0 hard drive, the 1 GB DRAM cache of the MegaCache system efficiently caches data as it's transferred to automatically boost performance for transfer speeds up to 408 MB/s, 2.3x faster than USB 3.0 hard drives and more than 10x faster than USB 2.0.

PNY Technologies, Technologies, considered one of a worldwide leaders in Memory and Flash products, announced its authorized HP portable hard drive p2050/p2100 to take care of your portable data storage requirements. It sports a SuperSpeed USB 3.0 port that supports speeds up to 4x faster than USB 2.0, thus saving you a lot of time while transferring data. Of course, the drive is backward compatible with USB 2.0 and can therefore be used with older computers. With a single USB port, it doesn't require a separate power cable, thus saving you the trouble of carrying along a power adapter.

The drive has a unique book-style design that lends it elegance and it won't look out of place if you stack several on top of each other in a bookshelf. The casing is made of durable aluminum and has a nice brushed finish. The slim drive is light and portable. Encased within is a 2.5" hard drive, usually found inside laptops, running at 5400 RPM. Available capacities are 500 GB and 1 TB, thus providing ample storage space for your data.

WD, a Western Digital company, and a world leader in external storage and connected life solutions, today announced a new version of the My Book Studio external hard drive. USB 3.0 capability is now extended to this family of My Book Studio hard drives and provides data transfer speeds up to three times faster than USB 2.0. WD has also introduced the addition of a massive 4 TB capacity in a single-drive configuration making it a perfect solution for backing up large amounts of digital content. The My Book Studio drive is designed with a premium aluminum enclosure and will be available in 1 TB, 2 TB, 3 TB and 4 TB capacities.

The My Book Studio drive's features and benefits have made it a favorite among creative professionals and Mac computer enthusiasts, including working seamlessly with Apple Time Machine, for protecting and backing up their valuable professional and personal content. The My Book Studio external hard drive includes WD Security, which allows users to password protect their drive along with 256-bit hardware-based encryption for added security against unauthorized access to the drive and its contents.

Verbatim has announced the launch of its thinnest hard drive to date. At just 10.5 mm thick, the Verbatim Store 'n' Go Ultra Slim HDD is one of the world's slimmest portable hard drives - 20 per cent thinner than previous Store 'n' Go models.

Due to the 7 mm thin internal hard drive inside, the slim profile of the Verbatim Store 'n' Go Ultra Slim Hard Drive makes it a beautiful companion to an Ultrabook computer. The Verbatim Ultra Slim Hard Drive has a 500 GB capacity and provides a sleek storage extension or backup medium for a range of computing and consumer applications. It is available in black and silver.

Drobo, makers of award-winning data storage products for businesses and professionals, today announced the general availability and shipping of the Drobo Mini and Drobo 5D. The Drobo Mini and 5D products are the industry's first storage arrays to include high-speed Thunderbolt connectivity, USB 3.0, automated tiering that supports solid state drives (SSDs), enhanced reliability features and true storage-array portability. The new products are designed to intelligently and seamlessly use high-performance SSDs with hard disk drives (HDDs) to rapidly accelerate workflows for creative professionals managing rich-media catalogs and Mac enthusiasts who need fast, high-capacity and portable storage.

"With the Drobo Mini and 5D, we're adding speed to Drobo's well-known ease-of-use. They are the industry's first storage arrays that automatically and affordably mix and match high-speed SSDs, HDDs and Thunderbolt support," said Tom Buiocchi, CEO of Drobo. "We created these products with the needs of creative professionals and Mac enthusiasts in mind. They're faster and more reliable than ever before."

WD, a Western Digital company, and a leader in the mobile, desktop, high-capacity enterprise and consumer markets for hard drives today announced it is further expanding its enterprise-class storage offerings with the release of new WD RE SAS and WD RE SATA hard drives in capacities up to 4 TB, the largest on the market today.

Available immediately in 1 TB, 2 TB, 3 TB and 4 TB capacities for nearline SAS and 2 TB, 3 TB and 4 TB for SATA, the 3.5-inch WD RE SAS and WD RE SATA hard drives offer the powerful combination of enterprise-class features and superior capacity to meet the growing demands of conventional business-critical environments as well as the high-capacity and performance requirements of cloud and scale-out computing.

ADATA Technology today announces the launch of the DashDrive Elite HE720 external hard drive, a USB 3.0 compatible device that is the thinnest of its kind on the market.

Sporting a brushed stainless steel surface, and with a record-breaking slim profile of only 8.9 mm thickness, the HE720 demonstrates once again the company's consistently strong ability to combine top performance with style. The brushed metal case with protective layer provides 9H scratch resistance, which prevents damage even after long-term use.

SP/Silicon Power, the world's leading provider of memory storage solutions today launches the new Sky Share WiFi drive. Sky Share H10 is the ideal storage solution for digital handheld device, allowing users to store and share their favorite multimedia content via WiFi connection.

The design of Sky Share H10 is based on the concept of "Touch." The circular curvature surrounding the power switch signifies that once it is activated, data transmission can be shared as free and simple like ripples. Its exceptional design also won Sky Share the renowned Golden Pin Design Mark 2012 and Tom's HardwareBest of Computex 2012.

ADATA Technology, a leading manufacturer of high-performance DRAM modules and NAND Flash storage application products, today launched the DashDrive HV610 external hard drive, which combines a unique picture puzzle design concept with a SuperSpeed USB 3.0 interface. A removable smart cover provides a convenient and novel way to store the transmission cable.

The exterior of the HV610 body comes in choice of two attractive monochrome patterns, each with interlocking shiny and matte puzzle piece lines, and a matching USB cable stored in the cool ice-blue cover, demonstrating the most eye-catching street fashion style.

Other World Computing (OWC) http://www.macsales.com, a leading zero emissions Mac and PC technology company, announced today the 'Triple Interface' model of its award-winning OWC Mercury On-The-Go Pro bus-powered portable storage solution now features a USB 3.0 'SuperSpeed' port which is also USB 2.0 backwards compatible. Complemented by two FireWire 800/400 ports, the new USB 3.0 capability enables the Mercury On-The-Go Pro to deliver real-world, benchmark-proven data transfer speeds up to 285 MB/s. All that speed is housed in a pocket-sized drive offering up to 1.0TB of storage capacity—enough space to hold up to one million JPEG photos, 500 DVD movies, 76 hours of digital video, or 350,000 MP3 songs.

Pricing, Availability
In addition to the FireWire 800/400 and USB 3.0/2.0 'Triple Interface' model, a USB 3.0/2.0 only model is also available. Both models offer a choice of a 5400 RPM or 7200 RPM hard drive in capacities up to 1.0 TB, or an OWC Mercury Electra 6G Solid State Drive up to 480 GB capacity, and are available immediately priced from $89.99.

Team Group Inc. is now rolling out the brand new Team C117 USB 2.0 exquisite flash drive that features a unique design which gives every urban man and woman the confidence he/she longs for. The solid aluminum extrusion plus anodizing and delicate hairline finish present a simplistic, modest and exquisite appearance. The user friendly single piece design completely eliminates the need for cap and complicated instructions, allowing users to freely express with identity.

The design consisting of only a single piece completely avoids the need for a cover and complicated application, giving every user their own handsome and free style.

ORICO unveiled an interesting portable hard drive enclosure, which doubles up as a wireless NAS and internet access point. Called the WiDrive (model: WDX-8 625), the device can enclose one 2.5-inch SATA HDD/SSD, and share its contents over a secure wireless network (802.11 b/g/n). As an added value, it can also serve as a wireless internet access point, if an upstream wired internet connection is plugged into its 10/100 Mbps Ethernet port. As a NAS, it packs most modern features, including SAMBA, FTP, Bit Torrent, iTunes server and Media Center. Its storage can be expanded by a USB 2.0 port (mass storage device). The enclosure draws power from an external AC adapter. ORICO plans to charge 899 RMB (US $142) for the WiDrive.Source: Expreview

Apricorn (www.apricorn.com), a leading designer and manufacturer of data security products for business, has announced a new and improved version of its popular Aegis Padlock drive, the Aegis Padlock 3.0. The reinvented Aegis Padlock 3.0 combines a super fast integrated USB 3.0 cable - increasing data transfer speeds by over 500% over the USB 2.0 version, enhanced AES-XTS hardware encryption, software free design, plus new security features to create a powerful data storage device perfect for taking your data on the road.

Available in capacities up to 1 TB with either a ruggedized, shock mounted hard drive (prices start at $169) or with a super tough SSD (prices start at $199), the Aegis Padlock 3.0 provides powerful data security that is tough enough for a wide variety of needs.

Taking a giant leap for "Mac-Kind," G-Technology is now shipping its 8 TB G-RAID with Thunderbolt drive - the extremely fast and highest-capacity, two-drive, RAID 0 external drive in the world. Incorporating 10 gigabit per second (Gbps) Thunderbolt technology by Intel and two 4 TB, 7200 RPM Deskstar hard drives, the new G-RAID with Thunderbolt drive sets a new capacity and performance standard for RAID storage.

Aimed at the professional audio/video (A/V) market, the G-RAID with Thunderbolt drive delivers blazing speed and massive capacity, helping Thunderbolt-enabled laptops and desktops morph into full-fledged video editing workstations. It features two Thunderbolt ports, enabling the connection of up to six Thunderbolt peripherals such as additional G-RAID drives, a high-resolution display and professional video capture devices. The G-RAID with Thunderbolt drive delivers up to 280 MB/sec sustained throughput for handling multi-stream compressed HD workflows, including REDCODE, DVCPro HD, XDCAM HD and ProRes 422. It can also transfer a full-length, high-definition, internet-ready H.264 movie in less than a minute.

Lite-On, renowned as an Optical Storage innovator, has today announced its first solid state drive (SSD) for the UK. The E200 SSD is aimed at small/medium business users, with a design which is easily integrated into existing systems for minimal disruption and with a fast, consistent and reliable performance over time - at an affordable cost.

"With the E200 we aim to challenge the concept that SSDs are an unaffordable luxury for SMB; our aim is that smaller companies will be able to experience the increased speed and performance that a fast SSD provides," says Maarten Souren, Marketing Manager at Lite-On.

Western Digital today announced the next generation of its top-selling My Passport line of portable hard drives, offering consumers a fresh new enclosure design and the first-ever 2 TB capacity in a portable drive.

Now available in five popular colors: white, black, silver, blue, and red, with a range of capacities beginning from 500 GB, the new sleeker My Passport portable drives offer digital consumers an appealing array of storage options that reflect their personal style. Additionally, the new My Passport drives offer WD SmartWare automatic backup software and WD Security for password protection and hardware encryption.

GIGABYTE today introduced an extraordinary lineup of computers that are redefining mobility and powerful performance. The U2442V is a sleek and stunning 14” Ultrabook that provides fantastic performance with a 3rd generation Intel Core i5/i7 ULV processor, while the U2442N features the same incredible form factor, but has a powerful 3rd generation Intel Core i5/i7 standard voltage processor. Both models feature an excellent NVIDIA GeForce GPU, which provides remarkable graphics performance for multimedia and games.

Other models to be introduced include the P2542G, which is a 15.6” powerful gaming notebook with an exciting race car design; and the Q2542N, an excellent 15.6” mainstream notebook that delivers terrific versatility. Also to be showcased at CeBIT 2012 is the S1081, a 10.1” powerful business slate; the Booktop T1132N, an 11.6” revolutionary 3-in-1 notebook, tablet and desktop; the Booktop M2432, a sleek 14” notebook that provides desktop graphics performance through its unique docking station; and the AC21, an all-in-one PC that simplifies the desktop experience.

Power Quotient International (PQI), a member of the Foxlink Group, successfully unveiled the Wi-Fi enabled PQI Air Drive during the 2012 International CES to much fanfare. The product was well-received and widely praised, and is officially available for purchase in countries around the world beginning today.

The PQI Air Drive is rooted in the concept of sharing and emphasizes a patented small, lightweight circuit design and the incorporation of the latest Wi-Fi technology. It offers a solution for users of smart phones, tablets, and other handheld devices who often run into the problem of limited memory expansion when the built-in memory becomes inadequate.

Buffalo has this week revealed the latest additions to its MiniStation line of portable drives, the HD-PZU3 Series models which feature USB 3.0 connectivity, 256-bit AES hardware encryption, and a rubber case and internal shock-absorption system offering high impact resistance (the HDDs meet the US military drop-test standards MIL-STD-810F 516.5).

Buffalo's rough and tough drives measure 89 x 18 x 128 mm, they weight 230 grams, have a built-in USB cable, and are backed by a one-year warranty. The HD-PZU3 Series will debut in mid-March with 500 GB (~ $198) and 1 TB (~ $252) HDDs colored in 'Deep Red', 'Indigo Black' and 'Dark Silver'.

For the end of March I-O Data has planned the release of a new external hard drive line, the HDPC-UT Series. The upcoming HDDs measure 75 (W) x 112 (H) x 14 (D) mm, they weight 160 grams, have a USB 3.0 interface, and will be available in three color versions - silver/gray, black/blue and Bordeaux/brown.

The HDPC-UT drives are backed by a one-year warranty and come in 500 GB (~ $146) and 1 TB (~ $199).

Apricorn (www.apricorn.com), a leading designer and manufacturer of data security products for business, has expanded their award winning Aegis Secure Drives to the desktop environment with the announcement of a new, powerful desktop edition, the Aegis Padlock DT.

Sporting a spacious capacity of up to 3 TB with a Super Speed USB 3.0 interface, the Aegis Padlock DT not only provides immense storage and lightning fast access speeds, but also protects its data with seamless AES-XTS hardware encryption and secure PIN access. With its software free design, simple setup and starting price of $229, the Aegis Padlock DT provides a complete data storage solution that is affordable, secure and effortless to deploy in a demanding office environment.

Xilence Technology has now introduced the SSD-/HDD-Dock, an all-black device that fits into a 5.25-inch bay and offers space for two 2.5-inch SATA drives as well as two USB 3.0 ports (ports which can be connected to the motherboard via a 19-pin plug). This internal dock features Hot Swap capabilities and is shipping in Europe bearing a recommended price tag of 27.90 Euro.

Other World Computing (OWC) has this week launched a new version of its OWC Mercury Elite Pro mini external drive, one that adopts two speedy interfaces ensuring high transfer rates - eSATA 6.0 Gbps and USB 3.0 (aka SuperSpeed USB).

OWC's updated drive measures 96.52 x 139.7 x 27.94 mm, features an aircraft grade brushed aluminum enclosure, it makes use of the Asmedia 1051E and 1456 chipsets, and is backed by a three-year warranty. The Mercury Elite Pro mini is available in multiple versions, either with a 5400 RPM or a 7200 RPM hard drive, or a solid state drive. The cheapest of the lot is the 320 GB / 5400 RPM HDD model ($114.99) while the most expensive ($819.99) packs a 480 GB SSD. All models are available here.