Imation Defender F200 (16GB),VGP-BPS22A

 

When it comes to USB drives, heed this warning: They are very easy to lose. VGP-BPS13AS But the $210 Patriot Memory

Supersonic's USB 3.0 performance is so shockingly fast that you'll likely end up treating this small 64GB device like a precious jewel.

Design

We used the drive in a few extra devices, including a Sony PlayStation 3. In copying several photos, the drive worked flawlessly. Unfortunately, Patriot doesn't include any backup software, but we performed a backup using Windows 7's built-in tools VGP-BPS13/S without any trouble.

Value

On a per-GB basis, the Patriot drive is very affordable. The 64GB model costs $210, which comes out to $3.30 per GB (a 32GB version costs $112). By comparison, the Echo MX (128GB, $500) costs $3.90 per GB, and the Imation Defender costs $269 for just 16GB, a whopping $16.80 per GB. Of course, the Echo MX has a digital capacity VGP-BPS13S meter and the Imation has a fingerprint reader, so you're paying extra for those features.

Verdict VGP-BPS13/Q

For those who only need a durable drive that can transfer data at blazing speeds, the 64GB VGP-BPS13B/S Patriot Memory Supersonic is a great device. While we wish Patriot included backup software, the performance and price can't be beat. VGP-BPS13B/Q

The Imation Defender F200 is one of the most secure--and most expensive--USB drives we've tested. At $269 for just 16GB of storage, this peripheral attempts to justify its premium with an ultra-rugged design and a built-in fingerprint reader that promises to protect sensitive VGP-BPS22A files. Is it worth the splurge?

Design

Despite lacking USB 3.0 support, the Defender F200 is fast. We copied a 5GB folder full of media files and Word documents to VGP-BPS22 the drive in 5 minutes 46 seconds, which equals a read speed of 14.8 MBps. That's faster than both the Lexar Echo MX (13.9 MBps) and the SanDisk Ultra Backup (9.8 MBps). Still, the USB 3.0-powered Patriot Memory Supersonic (41.3 MBps) blows all of these drives away.

Copying the same files off the F200 took 4:07, which yields a read speed of 20.7 Mbps. That's in VGP-BPS21B between the Lexar Echo MX (24.4 MBps) and the SanDisk Ultra Backup (18 MBps). Still, the Patriot Memory drive took just 55 seconds for a blazing rate of 93.1MBps.

Pricing

The hard aluminum casing of the Patriot Memory Supersonic VGP-BPS21A feels solid, but it's not as durable as the Imation Defender F200. Still, Patriot says it can survive shocks up to 15Gs. The 0.56-ounce drive is not designed to catch your eye but to serve a purpose: to make every backup and file transfer run much faster. Measuring 2.8 inches VGP-BPS21 long, the Supersonic is noticeable when plugged into a laptop USB port, but it's not as obtrusive as the F200. The drive comes in two versions--the 64GB model we tested, and a 32GB version. We just wish that the design had a slide-out USB plug; you'll definitely want to make sure you don't lose the cap.

Performance VGP-BPS13B/B

Using a USB 3.0 port on a Samsung RF510, we copied a 5GB folder of media files and docs to the VGP-BPS21/S drive in just 2 minutes and 4 seconds, a rate of 41.3 MBps. The second fastest drive, the USB 2.0 Imation Defender, took nearly three times as long--5:46, which translates to 14.8MBps. Even when we used the Patriot drive in a USB 2.0 port, we still saw a fast transfer speed of 4:44, or 18 MBps.

When we copied files back to the Samsung laptop using VGP-BPS21A/B the USB 3.0 port, the Patriot took only 55 seconds, for a blazing write speed of 93.1MBps. That's about four times as fast as the next fastest drive, the USB 2.0 Lexar Echo MX, which took 3:30, a rate of 24.4 MBps.

Our main issue with the Defender is its price. The 16GB version we tested costs $269; that's $16.80 per GB. By comparison, the Patriot Memory Supersonic costs $210 for 64GB; of course, that drive doesn't have a built-in fingerprint reader. Imation offers other sizes of the F200: An 8GB version costs $199 and a 64GB version costs $749. That's a VGP-BPS9A/B lot to pay for fingerprint security.

Verdict VGP-BPS13A/S

Overall, the Imation Defender F200 is solid and secure, but a bit too expensive for a drive that delivers USB 2.0 speeds. We're content using Windows 7 encryption techniques and prefer the zippy performance of the USB 3.0 Patriot Memory Supersonic drive. Still, if you're forgetful or paranoid, the F200 is VGP-BPS9/B definitely worth a look.

For a thumb drive, the Defender F200 is large, measuring 3.4 inches long and weighing 1.6 ounces. The device has a cover that protects the fingerprint reader when not in use. With that bulk comes added protection: Its casing is a tough metal alloy, and a rubber gasket makes VGP-BPS9/S the drive waterproof and dust-proof. A metal ring secures the drive to your laptop lock port or a keychain, but it's really more for looks; there is a clasp that anyone can turn to remove it.

Fingerprint VGP-BPS13A/B Security

The idea of using biometrics on a USB drive is not new, but Imation does a nice job of walking users through the setup process. To configure VGP-BPS9 the Defender F200, we plugged it into a free USB port and ran the built-in biometrics software. We then ran a wizard that had us scan our finger over the fingerprint reader. This setup process took about 10 minutes, mostly because we had to scan our finger a few times to add the profile, then configure drive partitions and add an administrator VGP-BPS13 account.

The fingerprint reader is not just a gimmick, either: It's rated for Federal Information Processing Standards (FIPS) 140-2 Level 3 validation. We tested the Defender F200 on two notebooks with a few co-workers, and the biometrics locked everyone else out. In a few VGP-BPS13A/Q cases, even our own swipes failed to read correctly--you have to slide straight and slow. Although you can manage multiple users and assign specific partitions of the drive, Imation does not include a backup program of any kind.

Performance VGP-BPS13/B

VGP-BPS22A,VGP-BPS22

But there’s another reason the desktop war cooled: Consumers just don’t care as VGP-BPS22A much as they used to.

More people are buying smart phones and, VGP-BPS13 increasingly, tablets running mobile operating systems. A recent iSuppli forecast, for instance, predicted that the number of tablets sold will nearly quadruple between 2011 and 2012, and mushroom another 57 percent by 2012. Apple has sold more than 120 million iOS VGP-BPS13A/B devices since the original iPhone launched in 2007, which helps explain why, in May, the company surpassed Microsoft in market cap for the VGP-BPS9/S first time last year. (As of this writing, Apple was worth $315 billion to Microsoft’s $244 billion.)

Samsung Mobile does not comment on rumors or VGP-BPS9A/B speculation. With regard to the Froyo update, we recently issued the following statement: “Samsung feels it is important to make the Android 2.2/Froyo upgrade available only after we feel that we can give the millions of U.S. Galaxy S owners a simple and reliable VGP-BPS9/B upgrade experience. Due to the complexity and unique functionality of each Galaxy S device, we are performing additional testing and are working to VGP-BPS9 make the Android 2.2/Froyo upgrade available to all U.S. Galaxy S owners, including the Samsung Vibrant, as soon as VGP-BPS22 possible.”

This is pretty much what we saw on the Samsung Twitter account earlier this month. Still no definite time frame, but at least PA3534U-1BRS a solid commitment to 2.2 on the Vibrant. No promises regarding 2.3, though

Meanwhile, Google says it is activating pa3535u-1brs 200,000 Android handsets per day, and consumers can choose from more than a dozen Android phones across the four major U.S. carriers. Plus, more than two dozen tablets running Android have either hit shelves or will in the coming months. A separate operating system, vgp-bps13b/q Chrome OS, will attempt to take down Windows in the high-volume but slowing netbook vgp-bps13a/q market.

Microsoft isn’t giving up the mobile device war without a fight. In November the company vgp-bps13/b launched its revamped smart phone OS, Windows Phone 7, which features a unique and compelling interface and integrates well with vgp-bps13/q Microsoft Office, Xbox Live, and Zune. However, it arrives almost four years after Apple began selling the iPhone, and Microsoft still doesn’t have a coherent tablet strategy nearly a year after the iPad launched. The company demonstrated that the next generation of Windows VGP-BPS2A will run on ARM-based processors at this year’s CES, but it did not show the VGP-BPS2C interface.

The next generation of urDrive is due on select Kingston flash drives this Spring. urDrive 2.0 will VGP-BPS2 not only have a web browser, photo viewer, password manager, and mp3 player built-in, but the software will be completely redesigned and VGP-BPS2B expanded with a flashy new UI, an app store for both games and utilities, and the option purchase music from the Universal Music Store, which has over 70 million songs.

Kingston calls its urDrive software “active storage,” because it provides a safe way for users to bring their apps and data with them vgp-bps21a to public computers such as those in Internet cafes or to work terminals that don’t allow employees to install their own software or store their own vgp-bps21/s media locally. Because the built-in browser has anti-key logging software and stores all cookies and passwords on the drive, users can feel confident vgp-bps21b that their settings, history, and media files will stay private and leave with them when they remove the flash drive.

One of the first things to note is that the AT&T version fared worse when compared to the other three in our review. That’s partially to vgp-bps21 do with network speeds on AT&T, but also a lack of mobile hotspot option and the highest available data plan capped at 2GB. Initially, AT&T’s version vgp-bps21a/b also cost more than the others, but the carrier recently brought the price down to $549. It is interesting to note that, over two years, Lenovo thinkpad r61 battery you’ll pay the least for AT&T’s Tab with the lowest data plan. But 250MB isn’t a lot to work with.

Which Galaxy Tab Should You Buy?

Unless patience isn’t your strong point, your best option is to wait, because we know that a faster, LTE version of the Galaxy Lenovo thinkpad t400 battery Tab is coming to Verizon soon, a Wi-Fi only version will ship in the near future, and both of those products (along with competition) seem likely T410 Battery to cause more price drops. We also expect a ton of new competitors to the Galaxy Tab to ship in March or April, when Google releases Android 3.0 Lenovo thinkpad t500 battery (aka Honeycomb).

After each of the four major wireless carriers announced pricing for their respective Samsung Galaxy Tabs and data plans, we compared each Lenovo thinkpad t61 battery to see which offers the best value. However, now that we’ve reviewed all four models and two carriers have announced price drops, Lenovo thinkpad t60 battery we decided to revisit the comparisons. Peruse the chart below to compare ratings, prices, data plans, extras, and cost Lenovo thinkpad t60p battery over time.

However, if you want a 3G Galaxy Tab right now, your best subsidized value is Sprint’s 2GB monthly plan and its $1018 cost, Lenovo thinkpad r60 battery which is particularly compelling because Sprint offers solid speeds and has Qik video chat software preloaded. However, when you sign a two IBM thinkpad r60e battery year contract for 3G today, you’re committing yourself to an out of date technology that seems slow today and will appear ancient in Lenovo thinkpad x60 battery 2013 when all your friends are on LTE or WiMax. If you don’t want to be tied to a 3G plan for the next 24 months, Verizon offers the best value with its $599 Galaxy Tab and $20, 1GB-per month plan. However, with Verizon, you must be IBM thinkpad X60S battery careful about hopping on and off of the service as the carrier charges a $35 reconnection fee once you have terminated your IBM thinkpad t40 battery service.

Seeing the data laid out like this, which of the Galaxy Tabs IBM thinkpad t42 battery appeals to you most? If you still can’t decide, click the images to read our full reviews of each

As we reported earlier today, an anonymous T-Mobile insider tipped Android Central and Android Spin that Samsung had no plans to IBM thinkpad t43 battery push Android 2.2 to current Vibrant owners because the company wanted an extra feature to tout when the Vibrant 4G finally hits shelves. When Lenovo 3000 v100 battery we first reached out to the company for comment, they declined. However, a few minutes ago Samsung Mobile sent over the Lenovo 3000 v200 battery following statement:

When Apple retired its long-running “I’m a Mac” ads, starring John Hodgman as a blustering PC, we felt something akin to nostalgia. Lenovo 3000 n100 battery In retrospect, though, Apple was smart to discontinue the campaign: The Mac-PC rivalry, after all, had become a moot point. Despite direct Lenovo 3000 n200 battery comparisons with Apple, Microsoft remains king of the desktop, with Windows installed on 90 percent of PCs worldwide. Indeed, Lenovo 3000 c200 battery thanks to a successful Windows 7 launch, the company reported a strong end to the last fiscal year, earning $4.52 billion in profits, up 48 percent from the previous Lenovo 3000 y410 battery quarter.

The concept of portable applications is not a new one, as the site PortableApps.com has been providing Flash drive versions of everything Lenovo r51e battery from Chrome to OpenOffice for many years now. However, Kingston urDrive is unique because it puts all of its native apps (browser, password, Lenovo r50e battery photo gallery) into one compelling UI and provides more and better choices in its urDrive app store. With a little buzz, Lenovo x300 battery urDrive could really bring the concept of active storage into the mainstream.

We look forward to testing urDrive 2.0 when it ships on drives later this spring. In the meantime, check out this interesting demo Lenovo x200 battery of Kingston’s portable application software in action

Using an internal "coiled waveguide horn" which channels and amplifies the sound from your good battery iPhone's speakers, the Griffin AirCurve Play claims to add 10 decibels to your tunes. Unlike the other speakers we tested, this device consistently Sony Laptop Battery provided more volume than its manufacturer promised.

The question for Microsoft, then, is how long it will take before tablets, phones, and the cloud all make the traditional desktop OS a relic. And Lenovo/IBM Laptop Battery will Microsoft be able to act swiftly and decisively enough to remain relevant?

We tend to think of USB Flash drives as quick and dirty storage devices for quickly moving around our HP/Compaq Laptop Battery data, but Kingston has bigger ideas. Last year, the memory vendor quietly began including portable application software on a couple Dell Laptop Battery of its DataTraveler line of Flash drives (DT101G2 and the DT102 models specifically) and, this spring, the company will be taking its portable software to the next level. Dubbed urDrive, Kingston’s software allows users to install and run programs off of the dell akkus USB drive so they can use, for example, their own Web browser on any PC without leaving a footprint ibm notebook akku behind.

When we blasted Haddaway's "What Is Love" through the AirCurve, the speaker added a hp notebook akku whopping 14 decibels to the dance classic (76dB versus 90dB). Our coworkers said they could hear our music from across the office. sony notebook akku Virtually everything we played with the AirCurve sounded many times louder; whatever is going on inside the internal waveguide is working wonders.

Design

Made of hard clear plastic, the AirCurve Play measures 5 x 1.6 x 6.9 inches; the iPhone 4 fits snugly in a removable rubber sleeve asus notebook akku in the center. At 11.2 ounces, this accessory is bulkier than the rubbery Bone Horn Stand Amplifier (3.2 ounces), but much more portable fujitsu notebook akku than the unwieldy Clingo Parabolic Sound Sphere (1.2 pounds).

Only an iPhone 4 will fit in this AirCurve's dock, but toshiba notebook akku Griffin sells a model that's compatible with the iPhone 3G/3GS. To amplify your sound, simply slip the iPhone 4 into the dock. You have to make sure, though, that the iPhone's speaker is aligned with a small hole in the AirCurve. You'll know it's aligned correctly dell notebook akku if you can access all the buttons on the phone. If your iPhone has a bulky case, you'll have to remove it. A metal stand lets you rest the dock in acer battery either landscape or portrait mode.

Verdict

When it comes to portable passive amplifiers, you can't apple battery expect much more than this. The Griffin AirCurve Play is the best bet for iPhone 4 owners looking for serious sound without any batteries or wires. At $19.99, it's cheaper than both the Bone Horn Stand Amplifier and the Clingo Parabolic Sound Sphere, ibm battery and it blows those two out of the water when it comes to added volume.

Though the device adds plenty of volume, don't expect the richest, fullest sound. "I Got A hp battery Feeling" by the Black Eyed Peas was loud but slightly muddled. When we played the same song with the Bone Horn Stand Amplifier, we got a slightly quieter sony battery 84dB, but the bass sounded richer. Playing the song with Clingo's Parabolic Sound Sphere gave us 82dB and sounded dim.



Who says you need plugged-in speakers to let others enjoy tunes on your iPhone? Griffin's AirCurve Play offers an impressive asus battery sound boost like no other unpowered amplifier we've tested. If you own an iPhone 4, there's no denying that this $19.99 add-on is the king when it comes to fujitsu battery battery-free audio enhancement.