Final Thoughts

Having thoroughly tested the 500GB Hitachi SimpleTough nosotros are struggling to find a mistake with this portable hard drive. It would accept been nice to get eSATA back up, as this interface provides significant performance improvements over USB 2.0. Because most competing products likewise lack it, we cannot give Hitachi too much grief for overlooking the technology, but it would take certainly given them an edge.

The only other fault we could find was that the drive can but be connected using the standard "type A" USB cable which comes attached to it. The A-Data SH93, for example, could also connect using a Mini-B USB cable.

Although for many this won't be a bargain breaker, having the option means I could plug the SH93 using my photographic camera cable, which is e'er hooked upwards to my PC and sitting on my desk where it is piece of cake to admission. Having a fixed USB cable on the SimpleTough could bring a trouble down the road should it become damaged somehow, although our durability test showed it is more than than capable of resisting several twists and bends.

The Hitachi SimpleTough proved to be one of the strongest portable hard drives we accept ever tested. It'due south meant to be considerably tougher than the A-Information SH93, beingness able to endure drops more than two times college, while withal offer some resistance to water. It can't handle submersions like the SH93, though.

While on that topic, in spite of the fact the SimpleTough volition survive plenty of hard knocks and bumps with no trouble, it cannot withstand fire. This is something that a few of you were disappointed to learn about with the A-DATA drive, yet keep in mind that no other portable hard drive tin can claim such a feature and we don't expect any volition in the near time to come at this toll point -- though we'd beloved to be proven wrong.

Outstanding product: Hitachi SimpleTough 500GB Portable Hard Drive

With a price tag of roughly $120, the 500GB Hitachi SimpleTough is an incredibly practiced value merely similar the A-Information drive was. The hard drive itself costs ~$90, which means you lot are getting this nearly indestructible case for $thirty.

Overall we experience the 500GB Hitachi SimpleTough is a better production compared to the recently reviewed SH93. While A-Information's device was impressive in its ain right, the SimpleTough looks better, is even more durable, and offers a more than practical cablevision blueprint for the aforementioned toll. We highly recommend it to anyone looking for a big portable storage device that tin take more than just a hit.