G Drive Mobile Hard Drive : Ultra Portable, Ultra Style

Backing up my hard drive is probably the most important work-related task I do each day, so I need a portable hard drive that's reliable and easy to use. Because I'm a hard-core Mac fan, I also want computer accessories that look cool. The G Drive Mobile hard drive is just the ticket!

Designed to look like a mini MacBook Pro and preformatted for OS X, the 500 GB G Drive Mobile hard drive has the same "Plug and Play" ease that makes using a Mac such a positive experience. All I had to do was take the drive out of the box, attach one of the enclosed cords to the drive and to my computer, and click on an icon on my desktop to start my backup software. I was backing up files in less than five minutes.

I practiced with the drive by partitioning it (a simple step in Disk Utilities) and then transferring my iTunes (software and data files) to it. Then I was able to delete iTunes from my computer's drive and clear up more than 10 GB of space. The other part of the G Drive is for scheduled backups. I use a cloning software that stores a bootable copy of my computer drive onto my G Drive every night.

The G Drive doesn't have an external power cord; it runs off of my computer's battery once it's attached to my laptop. Easy. I have the option of connecting via USB or FireWire 400 or FireWire 800, and thankfully, G Drive includes the three necessary cables. Of course, the G Drive is Time Machine ready, so Mac users with this awesome automatic backup software just have to plug in to get started with backing up important files. (The G Drive can also easily be formatted to work with Windows.)

I have several portable hard drives, each with features I appreciate. First, I like the six small rubberized nubs on the bottom of the drive that keep it from slipping. I like to know that when I put my gear on the table it stays in place. The G Drive is nice and small, so I can quickly stash it in one of the sleeves in my computer pack when I travel. It's thicker than my iPod Classic by not quite 1/4," and it's about an inch taller and wider. The drive weighs about nine ounces, a few ounces more than another one of my drives, but the weight difference doesn't matter to me because it feels like a very solid piece of equipment and it has a three-year warranty (which is more than I get when I buy a computer!).

The G Drive is also fun to look at. I love the "G" logo on the shiny black top of the drive; it reminds me of a super hero logo. So, every time I use it I image that it has super powers, which it actually does. Because I spend a lot of time with my computer, these small things add up. Looks matter to me.

Finally, the capacity on this drive is perfect for me. There's exactly enough room to clone my entire PowerBook and the new MacBook Pro I plan to buy soon! According to G Drive, a Hitachi company, each 100 GB will hold: 50,000 photos, 25,000 MP3 files, and 140 DivX Movies. (The G Drive retails for $150, but is available at some online retailers for less. See shopping links below.)

Bottom Line: What's not to love? It's totally packable, it's simple to use, it's attractive, and it makes me feel like I'm a super hero, too.--E.D. (Aug. '10)

BUY ONLINE: $130-150, click for Amazon. Click for Buy.com .

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