Ahhh, this is very 24. I can see Jack Bauer pulling nuclear secrets off it after choking a terrorist to death with the USB cable. I don’t think that’s the image Lenovo is going for, though. In fact, its appearance is plain practically to the point of invisibility, looking more like a credit card reader than anything else. The passcode system allows for an administrator and up to 10 other IDs, although I don’t think there is a system for encrypting each user’s data individually. It’ll come in two flavors in “mid November”: 160GB for $180, and 320GB for $219. I don’t have to tell you which is the better deal.
The interface has no display, which says to me that configuration and administration of the device is done by some paired software; I would rather it wasn’t but it’s probably only really necessary for the initial setup. What would you put on your secure, keypad-protected hard drive? Actually, on second thought, don’t tell me.
In electronics, the golden ratio is considered to be a bad thing. Approaching this could be a disaster, it’s as simple as that.
320GB/$219 = 1.46
160GB/$180 = .88888888 (repeating)
Golden ratio = 1.618
In the game of The Price is Right, the person who guesses the number closest to the actual retail price is the winner. Because the golden ratio is bad, you need to avoid winning.
Therefore, after a lengthy discussion and lots of analysis, the clear choice is the 160GB model.
Devin, when you say “I don’t have to tell you which is the better deal.”, I think you were overestimating the mental capacity of the readers. The Golden Ratio is probably a bit too complicated.
I hope this clears up any confusion for people, I’m hoping that my effort helps at least one person, that’ll make my effort worth every moment.
One note: I highly recommend the gold plated gremlin-killing USB 2.0 Monster Cables at Best Buy, they’re oxygen free and the best for high speed data transfers. Plus, they look cool, and I think some might even light up when they’re plugged in!
huh… I would probebly use a diferent keypad hard drive… put on their a compleate backup of my computer, and some more… Personal items (i.e. Finances, “Private” data, ect.)
Looks cool. Pricing is a bit on the high end though.
Best,
Mike
http://www.wannadevelop.com/
That’s a really neat feature, having keypad security with an external hard drive. I agree too, that the price point at the anticipated release time, is a bit pricey. If, the innovation takes hold in the consumer psyche, it would be just a matter of time before HP, Iomega, Memorex, Seagate, Simple Tech, Toshiba, Verbatim and Western Digital, follow with their own versions of keypad external hard drives. The consumer will certainly benefit from the resultant competitive pricing that follows.
Yeah, I agree with you and Mike up there ^. It’s pricey for sure, but of course you wouldn’t be using this as primary storage. Its not competing against plain 500GB externals with better $/GB ratios. I think it’s a reasonable price for a sort of “pilot” product like this.
very good