Thread: ioSafe - Solo review

The Solo drive from ioSafe is one feasible response. It's not often we review exterior hard drives weighing more than a desktop computer, but at almost 7kg, that's what we have at this time. There's a reason for the mass, although: inside this USB-connecting case is a lot more than just a hard drive.

At present obtainable in 500GB, 1TB as well as 1.5TB capacities, the 500GB component we reviewed was simple to install; just fix the external power supply brick as well as plug up in the USB cable. Formatted as NTFS, it's instantly recognized by Windows XP as well as Vista, while Mac users can reformat it to go with their OS. There's a cooling fan but it makes no sounder than that of a normal desktop computer, as well as isn't disturbing.

LEDs on the face of the casing let you know that the gadget is functioning, as well as are somewhat good-looking if you like that type of thing. There's an opening at the back for securing the drive to a desk with a cable or bolt, with the grey metal casing, while not precisely fashionable, isn't going to do too much aesthetic damage to your working surroundings.

In day to day employ that's all you'll actually note, but within the case are some clever technologies intended to keep your data protected in the happening of disaster. First, the drive is fire-resistant to 840 degrees C for half an hour, which should give your data a combating possibility of continued existence in the occurrence that the ridiculous happens as well as your home or office burns down. Second, it's water-resistant, to 10 feet of fresh water or salt water for three full days.

You might doubt how this is all feasible given the cooling fan with airflow, but the ioSafe Solo has some clever tricks that close down the cooling vents in the event of fire, as well as also liberate moisture from the entrenched insulation to help keep the temperature downward, while maintaining a water-resistant obstacle around the hard drive component itself.

We didn't check these claims to destruction ourselves, but others have done with optimistic results, as well as ioSafe backs its product with a three-year warranty and a £500 data recovery service integrated in the cost of the drive.