Posted on Thursday, September 19 2002 @ 11:37 CEST by Thomas De Maesschalck
Bjorn3D has reviewed a SmartDisk FireLite Hard Drive, with 20 GB space and USB 2.0 support :
The SmartDisk FireLite is a capable device using USB 1.1. Capable, but not particularly speedy. In fact, if you're planning on using an external drive with USB 1.1 you'd better be patient; you're going to be waiting a while for it to finish. Although USB 1.1 is still faster than copying to CD, I must admit. USB 2.0, however, changes everything. While not a match for internal IDE speeds, the new interface significantly reduces access times for the drive.
Overall, the FireLite is incredibly easy to use, transportable, and very functional. It met my additional storage needs perfectly. There is, however, the question of price. At $199.99 MSRP, the FireLite is not inexpensive. Especially since competing brands offer more storage for the same or less money. What is unknown is how much the small form factor plays in the cost equation. The FireLite is truly pocket-sized while many external drives are simply boxy internal drives with a plastic casing slapped on them. It's impossible for us to properly compare all the alternatives without having performed a hands-on evaluation, but it's important for potential buyers to know there are other external hard disk storage options available.
