Toshiba Unveils 500GB Portable External Hard Drive

Toshiba is the latest portable external hard drive maker to join the 500GB club. The new 500GB Toshiba USB 2.0 Portable External Hard Drive, announced today, joins models already available from several other portable external hard drive makers. Toshiba's $180 model, available now in a glossy black and white design, becomes Toshiba's new high-water mark.

What's notable about Toshiba's external drives is that they are more able to withstand inadvertent impacts, thanks to such integrated features as an internal shock sensor, drive head ramp-loading technology, and anti-slip footpads to help anchor the drive in place. The drive ships with NTI Shadow real-time backup software preinstalled.