Hitachi LifeStudio Mobile Plus 320GB

Zitat: Pro: + Attractive and responsive 3D interface, access to online content. Contra: - Large collections can be difficult to browse, little control over file views. Despite the attractive and versatile nature of LifeStudio, it´s essentially a stripped-down media centre application that must be accessed through a computer via mouse and keys. Though it´s reasonably priced considering what you get, the lack of fine control can be very frustrating, particularly for those with large collections who don´t want everything catalogued.

Zitat: Pro: + Convenient dock + Auto-syncing USB stick included + USB stick is upgradeable + Connected to Facebook, Flickr, and Picasa + 3-year warranty + 3GB online backup included Cons: - USB stick needs better docking solution (can be installed upside down) - Still need knowledge of backups and syncing operations to setup all functions The Hitachi LifeStudio Mobile Plus is one of the new hard drives that packs innovation (syncing USB stick) and well-integrated software into the mix. It´s primarily a multimedia power-users´ backup and organizational tool.

Zitat: Pro: + Interesting design + LifeStudio software is slick Contra: - Ordinary file performance - Who exactly needs this storage combination? Hitachi´s Mobile LifeStudio has an interesting design, but we can´t work out who would actually find it useful and valuable.

Zitat: Pro: + The LifeStudio Mobile Plus external hard drive ships with Hitachi´s LifeStudio software that intelligently organizes digital content. The device comes with a separate thumb drive to store on-the-go data, and it offers decent throughput performance. Contra: - The LifeStudio Mobile Plus doesn´t support USB 3.0 or FireWire. Its LifeStudio software display ads, and it doesn´t support network storage or allow for excluding certain folders from its library. Out of the box, the drive can´t handle files 4GB or larger, and with the docking station it is rather bulky. The LifeStudio Mobile Plus is a good external storage solution that makes it easy to find what you need, when you need it, among your "digital mess." However, its lack of USB 3.0 support and the limited functionality of the LifeStudio and Backup software might make you want to keep looking.