External Hard Drives

The Bottom Line: The Synology Disk Station DS409slim makes an excellent NAS server for both home and small business applications, and it fits especially well in offices with limited space.

Specs: Synology Disk Station DS409slim - NAS server, 0 GB, PC, Mac, 4 pin USB Type A, RJ-45, Standard, Gigabit Ethernet

The Bottom Line: The Iomega StorCenter ix2-200 NAS server makes a good, affordable backup and storage center for home and small office environments where only simple file sharing and data backup are needed. Keep looking for alternatives if you want more-advanced NAS features.

Specs: Iomega StorCenter Ix2-200 Network Storage - NAS server, 2 TB, PC, Mac, RJ-45, 4 pin USB Type A, Removable, Ethernet, Hi-Speed USB, Fast Ethernet, Gigabit Ethernet

The Bottom Line: The Iomega StorCenter ix2-200 NAS server makes a good, affordable backup and storage center for home and small office environments where only simple file sharing and data backup are needed. Keep looking for alternatives if you want more-advanced NAS features.

Specs: Iomega StorCenter Ix2-200 Network Storage - NAS server, 4 TB, PC, Mac, RJ-45, 4 pin USB Type A, Removable, Ethernet, Hi-Speed USB, Fast Ethernet, Gigabit Ethernet

The Bottom Line: The Iomega StorCenter ix2-200 NAS server makes a good, affordable backup and storage center for home and small office environments where only simple file sharing and data backup are needed. Keep looking for alternatives if you want more-advanced NAS features.

Specs: Iomega StorCenter Ix2-200 Network Storage - NAS server, 1 TB, PC, Mac, RJ-45, 4 pin USB Type A, Removable, Ethernet, Hi-Speed USB, Fast Ethernet, Gigabit Ethernet

The Bottom Line: LaCie clearly spent a lot of time designing the look and feel of the Starck Mobile Hard Drive, but it trips up on the basic essentials like weight, ease of use, cost per gigabyte, and transfer speed. Hard-core design geeks will get a kick out of its funky case, but everyone else should check out the Fujitsu HandyDrive, which offers more storage space for less.

Specs: 500 GB, External

The Bottom Line: LaCie clearly spent a lot of time designing the look and feel of the Starck Mobile Hard Drive, but it trips up on the basic essentials like weight, ease of use, cost per gigabyte, and transfer speed. Hard-core design geeks will get a kick out of its funky case, but everyone else should check out the Fujitsu HandyDrive, which offers more storage space for less.

Specs: 320 GB, External

The Bottom Line: The Seagate BlackArmor 220 is a good entry-level NAS server for small business and advanced users.

Specs: Seagate BlackArmor NAS 220 - NAS server, 2 TB, PC, Mac, RJ-45, 4 pin USB Type A, Standard, Ethernet, Fast Ethernet, Gigabit Ethernet

The Bottom Line: The Seagate BlackArmor 220 is a good entry-level NAS server for small business and advanced users.

Specs: Seagate BlackArmor NAS 220 - NAS server, 4 TB, PC, Mac, RJ-45, 4 pin USB Type A, Standard, Ethernet, Fast Ethernet, Gigabit Ethernet

The Bottom Line: The Hitachi SimpleTough is by far the most indestructible external hard drive we've tested, capable of surviving drops of up to 10 feet and up to one ton of pressure. With a built-in USB cable, two-tiered data security package, and an impressive three-year warranty, we have no issue recommending this external hard drive to shoppers looking for space and security.

Specs: 500 GB, External

The Bottom Line: The Hitachi SimpleTough is by far the most indestructible external hard drive we've tested, capable of surviving drops of up to 10 feet and up to one ton of pressure. With a built-in USB cable, two-tiered data security package, and an impressive three-year warranty, we have no issue recommending this external hard drive to shoppers looking for space and security.

Specs: 320 GB, External, 2.5 in