First USB 3.0 hard drive breaks cover

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David Flynn28 November 2009, 1:12 PM

2010 could be the year of USB 3.0 but the first external hard drive for the ‘SuperSpeed USB’ spec has already hit the streets, starting at US$199 for 1TB.


Hard drives aren’t just getting bigger, they’re getting faster – much faster. As much as ten times faster, if you take the maximum speed of the new USB 3.0 pipeline which is due to make its way into PCs and peripherals next year.

US brand Buffalo released the first USB 3.0 hard drive this week, although the real-world rates of the DriveStation HD-HXU3 are less lofty – Buffalo reckons the average speed will clock around 120MB/s, which is still three times USB 2.0’s effective data rate of 40MB/s.

The drive is backwards-compatible with USB 2.0 ports, but if you want to soar the dizzying heights of USB 3.0 you’ll need to spring US$60 for Buffalo’s two-port USB 3.0 PCI Express card on top of US$200 to US$400 for the 1TB and 2TB drive itself.

Buffalo’s factory-fresh USB 3.0 drive looks fast even when it’s standing still...



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Larix21 (New user):

wow. is the speed really worth the price?? I for one am definately waiting till it is cheaper.

28 November 2009, 1:35 PM (3 months ago)report abuse Send to a friend reply

Tin (Regular user):

As a backup drive for a home or small business server, the speed would definitely be worth it. It could reduce backup times substantially. Like from 12 hours down to 4 as an example.

28 November 2009, 2:24 PM (3 months ago)report abuse Send to a friend reply

Michael J (Cornerstone member):

I have never really seen the point in external usb backup drives, as you could just put them inside your computer and use sata which would give you much better speed. the only time an external one would be useful is if you want to backup files from multiple computers, but in that case a gigabit ethernet link would probably be the best option. usb hdds would be good for people who aren't into pulling their computers apart I guess... and for if you want to give a large amount of data to lots of different people or carry heaps of stuff around with you.

28 November 2009, 5:35 PM (3 months ago)report abuse Send to a friend reply

K (Cornerstone member):

double post, whoops

28 November 2009, 5:45 PM (3 months ago)report abuse Send to a friend reply

K (Cornerstone member):

Quoting Michael J:
I have never really seen the point in external usb backup drives, as you could just put them inside your computer and use sata which would give you much better speed.

I hope you don't ever get your computer stolen or damaged in a fire / flood / whatever.

28 November 2009, 5:45 PM (3 months ago)report abuse Send to a friend reply

Mattorade (User):

Quoting K:
I hope you don't ever get your computer stolen or damaged in a fire / flood / whatever.

Basic/Simple Logic (and a logical thought pattern) would suggest that an external hard-drive could just as easily be damaged (especially by accidentally dropping it), it's also more likely to be stolen because it doesn't weigh a tonne. An external hard-drive, especially the tiny laptop ones that don't require power are very easy to conceal and steal. It's not as easy to conceal a PC (especially a huge gaming rig).

28 November 2009, 5:54 PM (3 months ago)report abuse Send to a friend reply

Tin (Regular user):

Quoting Mattorade:
Basic/Simple Logic (and a logical thought pattern) would suggest that an external hard-drive could just as easily be damaged (especially by accidentally dropping it), it's also more likely to be stolen because it doesn't weigh a tonne.


Exactly right... However it's extremely unlikely that both the original and the backup will be broken/stolen at the same time when they are kept in different places.

28 November 2009, 11:26 PM (3 months ago)report abuse Send to a friend reply

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