Today Toshiba announced they are updating their STOR.E External drive lineup to include the newer and faster USB 3.0 interface. While not Thunderbolt, it is a step in the right direction, with more laptops offering USB 3.0 as standard, even on lower configurations. Backwards compatibility is also strong with USB 3.0, working with older interfaces, albeit at a slower 30MB/s connection speed. The updates cover the 2.5-inch STOR.E STEEL S and the 2.5-inch and 3.5-inch STOR.E ALU 2S.
Today Toshiba announced they are updating their STOR.E External drive lineup to include the newer and faster USB 3.0 interface. While not Thunderbolt, it is a step in the right direction, with more laptops offering USB 3.0 as standard, even on lower configurations. Backwards compatibility is also strong with USB 3.0, working with older interfaces, albeit at a slower 30MB/s connection speed. The updates cover the 2.5-inch STOR.E STEEL S and the 2.5-inch and 3.5-inch STOR.E ALU 2S.
The 3.5-inch STORE.E ALU 2S shown below offers capacities ranging from 1TB up to 2TB, although no mention is made on if the internal drives are 5400 or 7200RPM. This series is also offered with smaller 2.5-inch models with capacities spanning 500GB to 1TB. Users opting for the smaller version will get AC-Adapter-less operation, with the drives being powered directly from the USB-bus, while the 3.5-inch models require a power adapter.
STOR.E ALU 2S Specifications:
- Capacity: 2.5”: 500GB / 640GB / 750GB / 1TB 3.5”: 1TB / 1.5TB / 2TB
- Interface: USB 3.0
- Dimension (L x W x H):
- 2.5” (≤640GB): 120.3 x 77.0 x 11.7mm
- 2.5” (≥750GB): 120.3 x 77.0 x 14.5 mm
- 3.5”: 189.7 x 112.0 x 32,3mm
- Weight: 2.5”: approx. 175g 3.5”: approx. 1170g
- Power supply: 2.5’’: via USB cable 3.5’’: via power cable
- Colours: silver, black
STOR.E STEEL S Specifications:
- Capacity: 2,5”: 500GB / 640GB / 750GB / 1TB
- Interface: USB 3.0
- Dimension (L x W x H): ≤640GB: 121.5 x 75.8 x 11.0 mm ≥750GB: 121.5 x 75.8 x 13.8 mm
- Weight: <750GB: 120g ≥750GB: 190g
- Power supply: via USB cable
- Colours: silver, black, titanium
