Shop for storage

• CNET Editor rating:
  4.0 stars Excellent

  Overall score: 8.5 (4.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 2.5 stars out of 14 reviews

The Bottom Line: The Seagate FreeAgent Go is our favorite portable hard drive to date and takes our award for Editors' Choice. The drive is well designed and fast, and you won't find a better value for the price. Read review

Specs: 320 GB, Hi-Speed USB, External, 2.5", 5400 rpm

• CNET Editor rating:
  4.0 stars Excellent

  Overall score: 8.1 (4.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 4.0 stars out of 1 review

The Bottom Line: A sexy slim design and backup software set make a compelling argument for the Maxtor BlackArmor PS 110 external hard drive. We like the unique "Try and Decide" feature preloaded on the drive, and the throughput speed scores stomp the competition. Shoppers on a strict budget should look into the Fujitsu Handydrive for the best cost per gigabyte, but the BlackArmor PS 110 offers many extra features for just a few more dollars more. Read review

Specs: 500 GB, Hi-Speed USB, 2.5", 5400 rpm

• CNET Editor rating:
  4.0 stars Excellent

  Overall score: 8.5 (4.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 3.0 stars out of 1 review

The Bottom Line: Mac and PC users alike will appreciate the Iomega eGo Portable's triple interface connectivity that lets you choose from USB 2.0, FireWire 400, and FireWire 800. Combined with a rugged enclosure, free data protection software, and a robust three-year warranty, this drive is a great example of well-rounded hardware. We thoroughly recommend it both for average consumer as well as data-hounds on a budget. Read review

Specs: 500 GB, IEEE 1394b (FireWire 800) / IEEE1394 (FireWire) / Hi-Speed USB

• CNET Editor rating:
  4.0 stars Excellent

  Overall score: 8.5 (4.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 0 stars No reviews, write one!

The Bottom Line: Mac and PC users alike will appreciate the Iomega eGo Portable's triple interface connectivity that lets you choose from USB 2.0, FireWire 400, and FireWire 800. Combined with a rugged enclosure, free data protection software, and a robust three-year warranty, this drive is a great example of well-rounded hardware. We thoroughly recommend it both for average consumer as well as data-hounds on a budget. Read review

Specs: 250 GB, IEEE 1394b (FireWire 800) / IEEE1394 (FireWire) / Hi-Speed USB

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.5 stars Very good

  Overall score: 7.3 (3.5 stars)
• Average user rating: 1.0 stars out of 10 reviews

The Bottom Line: The Seagate FreeAgent Xtreme offers three interface options, a useful software bundle, and a lengthy warranty for a fair price. We like this direct-attach external drive. Read review

Specs: 1 TB, IEEE 1394 (FireWire) / Hi-Speed USB / eSATA-300, External, 3.5", 7200 rpm

• CNET Editor rating:
  4.0 stars Excellent

  Overall score: 8.3 (4.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 4.5 stars out of 2 reviews

The Bottom Line: Although expensive and difficult to use for networking novices, the Synology DS209+ offers awesome throughput speed and nearly all the features you could ever need in a NAS server. Read review

Specs: Synology Disk Station DS209 - NAS server, 0 GB, PC, Mac, 4 pin USB Type A, RJ-45, Standard, Ethernet, Fast Ethernet, Gigabit Ethernet

• CNET Editor rating:
  4.0 stars Excellent

  Overall score: 8.0 (4.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 4.5 stars out of 3 reviews

The Bottom Line: While other external hard drives offer built-in backup software, automatic data encryption, or rugged casing protection, the Transcend StoreJet 25F only promises, and delivers, the fastest data transfers at the lowest price. The missing FireWire prevents us from giving this Transcend an Editors' Choice award, but we still highly recommend this drive to storage hounds who don't mind USB 2.0. Read review

Specs: 500 GB, Hi-Speed USB, 2.5"

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.5 stars Very good

  Overall score: 7.5 (3.5 stars)
• Average user rating: 1.5 stars out of 83 reviews

The Bottom Line: The Western Digital MyBook World Edition is a simple-to-use NAS drive that makes remote access and file sharing easy for even beginners. Only its slow data transfer speed gives us pause. Read review

Specs: My Book World Edition NAS server, 500 GB, PC, Mac, 4 pin USB Type A, RJ-45, Standard, Ethernet, Fast Ethernet, Gigabit Ethernet

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.0 stars Good

  Overall score: 6.9 (3.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 3.0 stars out of 24 reviews

The Bottom Line: Apple's hybrid 802.11n wireless router/networked hard drive offers some powerful data backup features for Mac owners, as well as Apple's typical pleasing design. Windows users and anyone who demands speed from their 802.11n network will be disappointed. Read review

Specs: Apple Time Capsule NAS server, 500 GB, PC, Mac, RJ-45, 4 pin USB Type A, Standard, Ethernet, IEEE 802.11a, IEEE 802.11b, IEEE 802.11g, Fast Ethernet, Gigabit Ethernet, IEEE 802.11n (draft)

• CNET Editor rating:
  4.0 stars Excellent

  Overall score: 8.8 (4.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 2.5 stars out of 36 reviews

The Bottom Line: Drobo takes the pain and confusion out of data protection and lets you tailor and expand the drive according to your needs. This so-called storage robot works exactly as promised and is the most innovative storage device we've seen in a long time. We want one. Read review

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.5 stars Very good

  Overall score: 7.1 (3.5 stars)
• Average user rating: 2.5 stars out of 17 reviews

The Bottom Line: The D-Link DNS-323 2-Bay Network Storage Enclosure is a comprehensive solution to extend your network storage and functionality. It offers great performance and, despite its long list of features, remains very easy to use. Read review

Specs: D-Link DNS 323 2-Bay Network Storage Enclosure - NAS server, PC, RJ-45, Standard, Ethernet, Fast Ethernet, Gigabit Ethernet

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.5 stars Very good

  Overall score: 7.0 (3.5 stars)
• Average user rating: 1.5 stars out of 78 reviews

The Bottom Line: If write speed isn't a top priority, the Western Digital MyBook is a good deal at around $300 for a 500GB drive. It'll look good on your desk or bookshelf, too. Read review

Specs: 500 GB, IEEE 1394 (FireWire) / Hi-Speed USB, 16 MB, 8.9 ms, 7200 rpm

• CNET Editor rating:
  4.0 stars Excellent

  Overall score: 8.5 (4.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 0 stars No reviews, write one!

The Bottom Line: The eGo Portable continues Iomega's tradition of slim, feature-rich external hard drives, this time sporting a sleek new design and an extended warranty. The bundle also includes a suite of three different software solutions that back up your data and protects your computer, and at an affordable 30 cents per gigabyte, we're happy to endorse the Iomega eGo Portable once again. Read review

Specs: 500 GB, Hi-Speed USB, 2.5"

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.5 stars Very good

  Overall score: 7.1 (3.5 stars)
• Average user rating: 2.5 stars out of 7 reviews

The Bottom Line: The Iomega Home Media Network Drive, a single-volume NAS server, is easy to set up and use for even the most novice user; however, its lack of advanced features might lessen its appeal to savvy users. Read review

Specs: Iomega Home Media Network Hard Drive NAS server, 1 TB, PC, Mac, RJ-45, Standard, Ethernet, Fast Ethernet, Gigabit Ethernet

• CNET Editor rating:
  4.0 stars Excellent

  Overall score: 8.0 (4.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 1.5 stars out of 4 reviews

The Bottom Line: The Western Digital My Book Mirror Edition is a compelling choice for an external drive, delivering excellent value, good performance, and two hard drives for added data security. For anyone looking for an external USB 2.0 drive, the My Book Mirror belongs on your shortlist. Read review

Specs: 1 TB, Internal

• CNET Editor rating:
  Not yet rated
• Average user rating: 3.5 stars out of 6 reviews

Manufacturer description: Are you running out of hard drive capacity? Do you need to archive some important digital documents, photos, or music? This elegant external hard drive, reminiscent of a book, is ... Read more

Specs: 1 TB, Hi-Speed USB, 16 MB

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.5 stars Very good

  Overall score: 7.3 (3.5 stars)
• Average user rating: 1.5 stars out of 10 reviews

The Bottom Line: The Seagate FreeAgent Xtreme offers three interface options, a useful software bundle, and a lengthy warranty for a fair price. We like this direct-attach external drive. Read review

Specs: 1.5 TB, IEEE 1394 (FireWire) / Hi-Speed USB / eSATA-300, External, 3.5", 7200 rpm

• CNET Editor rating:
  4.0 stars Excellent

  Overall score: 8.0 (4.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 1.5 stars out of 3 reviews

The Bottom Line: Made from bamboo and recycled aluminum, the SimpleTech (Re)Drive is the most environmentally friendly external hard drive we've tested. It works well as a USB 2.0-only storage device and offers a unique ownership experience. Read review

Specs: 500 GB, Hi-Speed USB

• CNET Editor rating:
  4.0 stars Excellent

  Overall score: 8.0 (4.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 0 stars No reviews, write one!

The Bottom Line: The Transcend StoreJet 25 Mobile stomps the competition and lives to fight another day, thanks to its rugged military-grade exterior. It also delivers chart topping transfer speeds and offers the cheapest cost per gigabyte on the market today. We fully recommend this tough little drive. Read review

Specs: 500 GB, Hi-Speed USB, 2.5"

• CNET Editor rating:
  Not yet rated
• Average user rating: 4.0 stars out of 11 reviews

Manufacturer description: EZ Upgrade Universal kit makes upgrading your notebook your PATA/IDE or SATA hard drive as easy at 1-2-3. This innovative notebook hard drive upgrade kit includes universal USB 2.... Read more

Specs: Storage enclosure - External, Hi-Speed USB, None, None

• CNET Editor rating:
  4.0 stars Excellent

  Overall score: 8.5 (4.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 0 stars No reviews, write one!

The Bottom Line: The eGo Portable continues Iomega's tradition of slim, feature-rich external hard drives, this time sporting a sleek new design and an extended warranty. The bundle also includes a suite of three different software solutions that back up your data and protects your computer, and at an affordable 30 cents per gigabyte, we're happy to endorse the Iomega eGo Portable once again. Read review

Specs: 320 GB, Hi-Speed USB, 2.5", 8 MB, 5400 rpm

• CNET Editor rating:
  2.5 stars Average

  Overall score: 5.9 (2.5 stars)
• Average user rating: 0 stars No reviews, write one!

The Bottom Line: Apple Time Capsule is a convenient and simple wireless router and NAS server combo for your home. Unfortunately, especially in the case of the 1TB version, you can find better deals on devices that offer greater storage space and many more features for the price. Read review

Specs: Apple Time Capsule NAS server, 1 TB, PC, Mac, RJ-45, 4 pin USB Type A, Standard, Ethernet, IEEE 802.11a, IEEE 802.11b, IEEE 802.11g, Fast Ethernet, Gigabit Ethernet, IEEE 802.11n (draft)

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.0 stars Good

  Overall score: 6.9 (3.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 2.0 stars out of 13 reviews

The Bottom Line: Apple's hybrid 802.11n wireless router/networked hard drive offers some powerful data backup features for Mac owners, as well as Apple's typical pleasing design. Windows users and anyone who demands speed from their 802.11n network will be disappointed. Read review

Specs: Apple Time Capsule NAS server, 1 TB, PC, Mac, RJ-45, 4 pin USB Type A, Standard, Ethernet, IEEE 802.11a, IEEE 802.11b, IEEE 802.11g, Fast Ethernet, Gigabit Ethernet, IEEE 802.11n (draft)

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.0 stars Good

  Overall score: 6.5 (3.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 2.5 stars out of 5 reviews

The Bottom Line: The Sony BWU-100A Blu-ray burner is still priced out of range for most users, but if you have $700 to spare, it's a good choice for its range of media support and acceptable task speeds. Read review

Specs: BD-RE, 32x (CD) / 8x (DVD) / 2x (BD), 24x (CD) / 8x (DVD±R) / 4x (DVD±R DL) / 2x (BD-R), 16x (CD) / 6x (DVD-RW) / 8x (DVD+RW) / 5x (DVD-RAM) / 2x (BD-RE)

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.5 stars Very good

  Overall score: 7.3 (3.5 stars)
• Average user rating: 2.0 stars out of 17 reviews

The Bottom Line: The Hitachi Easy Hard Drive packs a lot of capacity and fast performance into an easy-to-use external drive. We recommend it. Read review