Since their first appearance began, we were convinced of the merits of USB powered portable hard drives. The tiny capacity early attempts that are posed by modern shame USB flash drives, the latest in packaging that hundreds of gigabytes, we have always welcomed their combination of portability, reuse, and (relatively) high capacity. In fact, they are one of the few items, we recommend everyone has at least one.

Even if you do not regularly transport large files, they are incredibly useful for storing backup files or keeping your multimedia collection, and you can take it with you wherever you go. Also, if you have an ultra-portable laptop that has a small hard drive, they are very useful in providing additional portable storage.

So if they are all so amazing, you should probably just go out and buy the biggest you can afford and do with it? Well, as we all know, things are never as simple as that and there are always a bit more to consider before you make your final decision. That is why we look on each disk we get a chance and that is happening under the knife today is the last Fujitsu HandyDrive.

As we have seen recently, some readers, like the Ultra Memorex TravelDrive, pack in a whole range of extra features to make them stand out from the crowd. Conversely, others have gone the route, opting for style over functionality. The HandyDrive particular I am looking for now is somewhere between these two extremes.

Ostensibly, the drive is just another style, but elegant and stylish portable hard drive base, as Western Digital Passport. The heart is a notebook 2.5in hard drive that allows you to access simply by plugging it into your computer using the USB cable. The power and data are carried on the same cable, and Windows will recognize at the outset of the drive and install it for you, just like any other portable drive. However, the HandyDrive has a pretty impressive trick up its slick, and it was his sheer ability, which in 300 GB is the largest we have ever seen.

Ok, Buffalo and Western Digital have just announced two versions of their own 320 GB portable hard drives, but as of writing this, they are not available in stores to Fujitsu still has the upper hand right now.

As I have already hinted, the last HandyDrive is a suitably elegant looking business with a semi-transparent top black brilliant performance of his fingerprints and dust attract usual duties with aplomb. A plain gray painted metal bottom section sets things off nicely and the whole resembles the figure simply subclass. However, that does not mean it is without its problems.

The first and most obvious’ feature ‘is the size of the disk that at 22mm thick, or nearly 50 percent larger than, perhaps, his main contender elegant black and the Western Digital Passport. Also, with a weight of 255 grams, again below the passports relatively plume 184 grams. However, the enormous capacity of the disk is still some way to go for that.

A green LED hidden below the upper surface of the disk shows the power and activity, flashing on and off in accordance with it. It’s nice to see a change in the in-vogue blue lights that decorate so many devices nowadays, but, as I always say, if you are going to go with a safe design, surely more universally appealing light White would be better? I will leave that one for you to decide, however.

Four small rubber feet help prevent the drive from slipping and sliding around on your desk, but, and this is really picky, I could not help but notice the feet were all on a little wonky and they look like they could fall any minute. A little friction energetic revealed that they were in fact quite sure, but still, wonky is bad!

Turning more esoteric of these complaints, rubber HandyDrive is twofold covering the power and data ports at the back. They operate individually to unused ports are not left exposed and when they are closed secure enough not to open inadvertently pop. If your bag everyday is like mine, have something to prevent dust and dirt from entering your device is a welcome addition. But there is something else that comes with the HandyDrive which could make them rather unnecessary. You see, one of my regular complaints have wanted, shiny appliances is that they tend to scratch too easily, and I have no doubt on the upper surface of the HandyDrive not suffer from this problem as well. Pleasant, it is then, to find a leatherette case included in this disc. With a large pocket for the reader, a small lid integrated with cable holder (oh how I yearn for a case which has now), and a large flap surrounding the lot, your car has to be very well protected.

Unfortunately, one of the main drawbacks to the bump in capacity is a necessary element to reduce the speed of rotation, which fell from 5400 to 4200, in order to maintain temperatures manageable. Overall, the transfer rate of HandyDrive is largely limited by its USB 2.0 connection so you can not notice a difference in speed when it is simply the transfer of files. However, if you are used to access the car for small files or perform any task that requires multiple operations reading and writing at the same time, you may find an increase in the access time a bit of nuisance.

The latest weapon in the arsenal of basic HandyDrive is password-protected software that allows you to lock the drive - making it invisible to Windows - until the password is entered. It is simple and intuitive to use and provides a useful complement to the whole package. However, it does come in place of backup software included oft so it’s a bonus less than an alternative.

Verdict

On the surface, Fujitsu HandyDrive Go 300 has a number of problems like its bulky box below and performance. However, these minor issues are more than offset by the simple ability, elegant design, and simply the fact that it comes with a practical case.