- Capable of storing up to 200,000 digital photos, or 250,000 digital music files, or 380 hours of video.
- Full system backup and recovery (including attached internal/external drives).
- Internal dampening system for shock protection.
- Dual Connectivity: USB and eSATA.
- Password protected backup encryption.
Product Description
Toshiba’s Desktop External Hard Drive offers you both extra storage space, and a comprehensive yet easy-to-use data backup and sync solution. The Toshiba 1.0 TB Drive can handle even the largest digital libraries – it can store up to 200,000 photos, or 250,000 music files, or 380 hours of video. With just a few clicks you can create a digital safety net to help protect files on your computer or other storage devices. Our dual connectivity design lets you choose between the USB interface or the faster eSATA interface for your data transfer needs. A built-in On/Off switch allows you to power down your drive when not in use to save energy. The slim design and small footprint help save your desktop space both at work and at home. The Backup software lets you back up your entire system (including attached storage devices) or specific file types (e.g. music files) on any internal or external drive attached to your system. The powerful Restore feature allows yo… More >>
Toshiba 1 TB USB 2.0/eSATA Desktop External Hard Dive PH3100U-1EXB
If they’re going to pull a creepy stunt like that they should have advertised on the box: Optional eSata connection. Toshiba’s obviously not interested in having customers.
I own both an Asus eee PC and an IBM ThinkPad. The latter is dying, which is why I wanted an external storage device. According to the instructions Toshiba packages with the drive, you plug it into your computer and the installation program starts immediately. That may be true, if the drive works at all. I couldn’t tell you, because mine wouldn’t even power on. So back to Amazon.com this clunker will go.
Pros: On-off power switch, compact size, read/write speed is reasonable, solid construction.
Cons: You can’t tell from glancing at the unit whether it is on or off – a light on the switch or the unit itself would be helpful.
I don’t use backup software to manage my backups so I can’t comment on the backup software. I prefer to do manual backups. This Toshiba drive’s read/write speed is about the same as my current SimpleTech 500GB unit which is about 1GB per minute write speed. I use a several year old HP notebook computer – I’m sure that part of the read/write speed issue also is dependent upon the individual’s computer.
When shopping for an external hard drive there seemed to be complaints about every brand. I went with Toshiba because I had excellent experiences with three Toshiba notebooks in the past, it is compact and the unit has an on-off switch. Most of the current external drives do not have on-off switches – it is annoying to listen to the hard drives cycle while not in use. Although this when, when not in use, is quiet.
I am most disappointed with my Toshiba 1 TB USB 2.0/eSATA Desktop External Hard Dive PH3100U-1EXB (Black/Silver). The drive goes to sleep and doesn’t wake up. When it does wake up, it is sluggish (reminds me of my kids). The drive has slow write speeds and even slower response speeds. When it goes to sleep it frequently looses its connection to the system and is no longer recognized by it. I tried to use the drive for a synchronized dropbox folder but the folder keeps loosing its internet synchronization link making it useless for that purpose.
I must admit, in all fairness, I have not contacted Toshiba tech support on these issues as of this writing, but my initial feeling is that I shouldn’t have to in the first place. Bottom line, keep looking.
I purchased this drive to use on my satellite DVR. But the non-removable proprietary Virtual CD crap partition will not allow this use. The Toshiba website is no help whatsoever. Internet searches on how to remove this crap Virtual CD drive and software are worthless as well. All you will find is many people like me wanting an update to fix this and there are none to be had.
Don’t get me wrong I love Toshiba products. I have 4 TV’s in the house, 3 VCR’s, a home theater system and two notebooks that are all Toshiba’s.
I expected better of any product with their brand name on it but their external hard drives are crap.
Stay far away from these drives until they make an update (don’t hold your breath waiting for one either).