Mobile storage provider Toshiba Storage Device Division launched Jan. 4 a new line of 2.5-inch USB 2.0 portable external hard drives in 100GB, 120GB and 160GB capacities with automated backup capability. Toshiba"s new HDDs feature automatic power-on and save capabilities for backup of photo, video, music and data files and are aimed at users in the digital home and home office.
"The need for backing up and preserving digital data is increasing quickly among the massive consumer base," said Dave Reinsel, director of storage hardware research at IDC in Framingham, Mass. "In 2006, more hard disk drive terabytes shipped into personal storage devices worldwide than in the enterprise storage market. This important inflection point exemplifies the critical need for companies to offer reliable and easy-to-use backup solutions that will help the masses protect and preserve their digital memories."