Winter HolidaysTop 10 External Storage Solutionsby Catherine Roseberry External storage can be as small as a pen-knife or the size of your fist. Whichever style of external storage you choose, look for external storage solutions which are durable and easy to use. Storage devices which are cross-compatible with Mac and Windows systems can be very beneficial to mobile professionals. Using an external storage drive gives you added security for your data and allows you to have more information available no matter where you are located. With capacities ranging from 128MB to 1GB, mobile users are sure to find a truly portable file solution. At the size of a thumbnail these drives are easy to take anywhere and keep your data safe. The 512MB drive is a great size for most mobile professionals. Not only does this external hard drive provide additional storage resources but it offers data protection. As your data is stored on the hard drive it is encrypted. The only way to access the files is to use a 64-bit security key. The Cipher Shield hard drive provides 120GB of storage capacity and is Plug-n-Play compatible. The Cipher Shield works with Win98SE/2000/ME/XP, Mac OS 9.1 or greater and Linux kernel 2.4 or higher.
The IOGear 1.8" USB 2.0 ION™ Drive (20GB) is an external hard drive which can be used to back up your laptop or used for saving files while traveling. You can easily carry this portable hard drive in a pocket with the clip. It's compact size means you won't have to give up room for other mobile gear. This USB powered drive gives mobile professionals an additional 5GB of storage and it fits in the palm of your hand. It's compatible with both Mac and Windows systems and has a durable casing. An ideal means of increasing your storage capabilities when working on the road. Weighing only 2.8 ounces and protected by a magnesium alloy casing. This portable hard drive will help ensure that you have all the important files you need, no matter where you are located. Compatible with Windows based systems, the drive boots from USB so you don't even have to enter Windows if there are system problems. The EZ Bus Mini is an ideal solution for mobile workers who require a truly portable means of transferring large files between computers and keeping those same files safe while traveling. This compact drive is small enough to fit into any laptop case or your pocket if necessary. Imation's flash drive provided me with peace of mind in that regard with the swivel cover. The Imation drive is easy to use and even downloading and installing the driver for Win98SE was quick and painless. The ability to store a variety of files and have them accessible to different operating systems is beneficial to mobile workers. Beyond the means of transferring large files from one computer to another, the Migo provides the added functionality of using your Outlook data, IE favourites and desktop settings on other computers. It's ease of use and compact size make it a great tool for mobile workers who need to have access to their important data when using multiple computers. The Verbatim Store 'n' Go Pro drives are available in capacities ranging from 256MB to 2GB. These are an ideal compact storage device for any mobile professional especially those who are involved with storing, sharing and transporting large data files, presentations, photos and video. Using a FireWire interface this 80GB portable hard drive is certain to provide mobile professionals with plenty of additional storage space. It has a durable exterior - built for mobile professionals and it is compatible with both Windows and Mac systems. This pocket-sized drive weighs only 7 ounces. Share your experiences and thoughts with other mobile professionals on external storage solutions. What do you like best about the method you are using and what do you look for in future products? | 
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