Computers

PopDrive makes data protection simple and foolproof

PopDrive makes data protection simple and foolproof
The PopDrive puts a couple of 2.5-inch form factor HDDs in a RAID configuration so that if one fails, it can be replaced without fear of data loss
The PopDrive puts a couple of 2.5-inch form factor HDDs in a RAID configuration so that if one fails, it can be replaced without fear of data loss
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The PopDrive has a couple of 2.5-inch drive bays to help protect from data lost due to hardware failure
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The PopDrive has a couple of 2.5-inch drive bays to help protect from data lost due to hardware failure
The pocket-sized dimensions of the PopDrive
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The pocket-sized dimensions of the PopDrive
Front view of the PopDrive showing both drive bays closed
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Front view of the PopDrive showing both drive bays closed
The rear of the PopDrive showing eSATA and USB connectivity options
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The rear of the PopDrive showing eSATA and USB connectivity options
If one PopDrive HDD fails, it can be replaced without fear of data loss
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If one PopDrive HDD fails, it can be replaced without fear of data loss
The unit comes shipped with Windows/Mac/Linux-compatible SteelVine management software so that you know what the drive is up to
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The unit comes shipped with Windows/Mac/Linux-compatible SteelVine management software so that you know what the drive is up to
The SteelVine management software can be configured to email event notifications such as disk failure to tech support
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The SteelVine management software can be configured to email event notifications such as disk failure to tech support
The PopDrive puts a couple of 2.5-inch form factor HDDs in a RAID configuration so that if one fails, it can be replaced without fear of data loss
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The PopDrive puts a couple of 2.5-inch form factor HDDs in a RAID configuration so that if one fails, it can be replaced without fear of data loss
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Having been responsible for the daily tape backup routines in various office locations in a previous working life, I can tell you it's a royal pain in the behind. The PopDrive system from DHK Storage puts a couple of 2.5-inch form factor HDDs in a RAID configuration so that if one fails, it can be replaced without fear of data loss. The lightweight, pocket-sized unit's drives can be swapped out without the need for tools, and physical connection to a computer system is made possible via 3Gb/s eSATA or USB 2.0.

The PopDrive hasn't been designed to prevent data loss from accidental deletion of files by the user but rather to prevent the loss of data due to hardware failure, making it particularly useful when combined with backup software. In order to keep the price of the unit down, DHK Storage hasn't included any such software – the choice of which software to employ has been left up to the user, although backup software is not necessary to take advantage of the hard drive mirroring functionality.

If one PopDrive HDD fails, it can be replaced without fear of data loss
If one PopDrive HDD fails, it can be replaced without fear of data loss

Within its 6.375 x 4 x 1.125-inch (161.9 x 101.6 x 28.5mm) aluminum case are two laptop-sized hard drives that automatically sync with each other and are configured so that if one drive fails, you'd just pull it out and slot in another one – without losing data. An empty PopDrive weighs just 13 ounces (0.36kg) and 21 ounces (0.59kg) with both drive bays occupied. The system also supports RAID-0 and JBOD configurations. Non-geeks will no doubt appreciate the fact that the PopDrive will appear as a single drive in the file system.

Connection to the computer system is via USB 2.0 (at up to 480Mb/s data transfer) or eSATA (six times faster at up to 3Gb/s) and the unit comes shipped with Windows/Mac/Linux-compatible SteelVine management software, so that you know what the drive is up to. The software can even email event notifications such as disk failure to offsite IT support for prompt action.

The PopDrive is currently being offered in two flavors – the two 500GB unit carries a suggested retail price of US$250 and the double-750GB unit is priced at US$350.

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3 comments
3 comments
Michael Hood
The design is an obvious rip-off of the Nintendo Wii\'s console.
rdinning
I\'ll wait until they come out with a USB 3.0 version which can be used externally but is about the same speed as the eSATA.
Facebook User
Well, most of the vertical disks on stand are obvious rip-off :)))
I hope they will offer later Thunderbolt to connect it to a Mac...