The eGo portable hard drive from iOmega is a sleek, compact device that handles data storage as well as you would expect. But it’s the USB 3.0 connection that really makes it shine. Having a native USB 3.0 port is the best option, but you can also use an ExpressCard or PCIe slot. There are adapters included for this, as well as one for your standard USB 2.0. It weighs in at less than half a pound, and practically fits in the palm of your hand.
I compared the 500GB version of the eGo to other external drives, and found that, along with the eGo being the smallest device, data transfer was a bit faster, even when both were using a USB 2.0 connection. In fact, I didn’t really need to do a side-by-side comparison to see that the transfer speeds on the eGo are exceptional.
The cables are a bit short for my liking, but the focus is on the portability of the device, so they may see this as something you won’t typically use as a permanent fixture in your workspace. The eGo comes with a free year of the Protection Suite, which provides a few services, including online backup (though only 2GB are free).
This is the nicest looking portable hard drive I’ve used, and the fact that it’s so fast and efficient makes it an easy recommendation. The 500GB unit costs $129.99, making it a very good deal if you’re looking for a good-sized storage unit.