The new USB 3.0 standard is backward compatible with USB 2.0. So just about every desktop you run into will be able to read USB 3.0 devices, but will be limited to USB 2.0 speeds. But with the use of an expansion card, it can get the full speed of USB 3.0. Laptops have also been limited to USB 2.0 speeds. We are sure that newer models will adopt USB 3.0. But if you are like us, a laptop is a significant investment. And we aren't looking to buy an expensive new laptop just to get USB 3.0.

At CES 2010, Seagate showed us the BlackArmor PS110 USB 3.0 External Drive and we couldn't wait to get our hands one. Why would we what USB 3.0 on a laptop? Well for one thing, it's theoretically up to 10x faster than USB 2.0. Backing up to USB 2.0 on the lab's laptop was a 'Start the backup and go to sleep.' affair. Our only other option was to pull the 2.5 inch Sata drive out, connect it to a desktop, and backup or clone it from there. Which is what we had been doing.



Link: Bjorn3D