BIOS: Technology Means Business

If you're looking for a small and lightweight external hard disk drive instead of a restrictive flash memory stick, look no further than SmartDisk's FireFly. Measuring just 103x63x13mm (93g) and encased in a robust magnesium alloy housing, the USB 2.0 drive is based on a 1.8in. hard disk (4,200rpm) and offers a practical - although non-upgradable - storage capacity of 20GB. It's even powered by the source computer so you don't have to carry an AC adapter. The FireFly is also recognised as a mass storage device by the latest versions of Windows and Mac OS, so you don't have to worry about drivers. There are more spacious external hard disks, but the FireFly boasts attractive cost and portability advantages.

Pros: Diminutive size; no AC adapter or drivers required
Cons: Mediocre speed; no FireWire port; non-upgradable

Release: SmartDisk Corporation, a company that develops and markets portable storage and digital multimedia products that enable people to capture, organise, use and preserve digital content in easy and enjoyable ways, has begun shipping its tiny FireFly USB2.0 20GB portable hard disk. About the size of a deck of playing cards, FireFly stores up to 20 hours of superior quality video, more than 5000 MP3 songs or more than 15,000 high-quality digital photographs.

FireFly is ideal for a variety of digital video, audio, data backup and multimedia applications used by consumers and professionals. It stores and rapidly transfers large volumes of music, video, photos and data to and from desktops and laptops. FireFly's small, durable magnesium alloy casing - just 2.5x4x0.5in. and weight of 3.3 ounces make it easy to carry in a purse, a briefcase or a pocket. SmartDisk FireFly supports both USB 2.0 and USB 1.1 host systems, which means that users in transition between the two versions can use FireFly on any USB enabled computer.

Because FireFly is powered by the computer itself, it never requires its own power adapter. The drive is also Mass Storage Class compliant-installation of software drivers is not necessary before using FireFly for most Windows or MacOS releases. Its rapid read and write speeds let users work on data and applications - even digital video applications - directly on the drive.

Links:
FireFly Web site