Continuing our review of hard drives, we take a look at the Iomega eGo BlackBelt Portable Hard Drive.
Here is how Iomega describe the eGo BlackBelt Portable Hard Drive:
Take files anywhere, in style, with Iomega® eGo™ BlackBelt portable 500GB USB2.0 .The Drop Guard™ Extreme feature protects your drive even in the toughest travel environments and provides exceptional durability well over the industry average!. Iomega® eGo™ BlackBelt includes a black Iomega Power Grip band that not only looks cool, but also provides desktop stability and extra durability. Iomega Protection Suite includes McAfee® VirusScan Plus, EMC® Retrospect® Express Backup software, Iomega QuikProtect, and MozyHome™ Online Backup service. Software is available via easy download. Available with a 500GB capacity, and protected by a 3-year limited warranty (registration required).
- Compact – Ultra portable and sleek design to fit easily into a briefcase or backpack
- Easy-to-use – USB 2.0 interface and no external power supply required
- Secure – Receive a full suite of protection solutions when you purchase USB 2.0 Iomega eGo to protect your data and your computer (software available via download).
- Rugged – Drop Guard ™ Extreme technology is built in, so the eGo is super durable! Plus, a special Iomega Power Grip band provides desktop stability and extra durability.
The drive is only currently available as a 500GB model and is USB 2.0 compatible.
The drive case itself has a rubberised guard around it to protect it from being dropped (according to the packaging it can withstand being dropped from 7ft). This guard is the Power Grip band mentioned above.
Unlike most portable drives, the USB connector is actually on the side of the drive and not the back.
WHATS IN THE BOX?
USING THE DRIVE
Just connect the drive and it is ready to use in a few seconds once Windows has identified it and installed any drivers it might need.
Running some tests with HD Tune Pro showed some fairly good results:
FINAL THOUGHTS
This is a nice drive – its fairly quick, its very light and its quiet. I like the added protection as sometimes things get knocked around in my bag and yes, on occasion I have dropped a drive or two (actually I sometimes catch the USB cable with my foot and pull it off my desk which is pretty much the same result).
The Power Grip band is a nice touch and it does protect the drive for you.
Speed wise I had no problems writing to, or reading from the drive with different size files.
Price wise, in the UK, the eGo BlackBelt retails for £89.99 but Amazon.co.uk have it for under £80. In the US, Amazon.com have it for just under $100. It also includes a 3 year warranty.
If you want a drive that gives you that added protection in case you knock it or drop it (as long as its less than 7 ft) then you should take a look at the eGo Blackbelt.
I wonder if Iomega will release larger drives as 500GB just doesn’t seem enough these days!
For more information on the eGo BlackBelt drive, click here: http://go.iomega.com/en/products/external-hard-drive-portable/ego-portable-series/ego-blackbelt/?partner=4735#overviewItem_tab
