Maxtor Black Armor (160GB)
As shown: $119.99
See manufacturer site for availability
CNET Editors' Review
CNET Editors' Rating
- Reviewed by: Justin Yu
- Released on:
- Reviewed on:
- Updated on:
The good: Hardware encrypted storage protection, convenient host and traveler modes.
The bad: Expensive; sluggish transfer speeds; lacks FireWire; boring design.
The bottom line: The impenetrable Maxtor Black Armor is the Fort Knox of external hard drives, but the added security comes at a hefty price tag. This device might appeal to those who need the most protection possible, but the competition offers more space for less money.
Editors' note: The final rating of this review has been updated to reflect a discrepancy in calculation. None of the individual scores have changed.
We're not surprised to see the Maxtor Black Armor emerge in a time when so much confidential data is transported by external hard drives. The 160GB Black Armor drive ($150) is a portable storage device with built-in Advanced Encryption Standard hardware-based encryption to prevent digital theft. Unfortunately, this added security comes at a significantly higher cost per gigabyte. Unless you need an external storage device with the highest level of data protection, we recommend looking ... Expand full review
Editors' note: The final rating of this review has been updated to reflect a discrepancy in calculation. None of the individual scores have changed.
We're not surprised to see the Maxtor Black Armor emerge in a time when so much confidential data is transported by external hard drives. The 160GB Black Armor drive ($150) is a portable storage device with built-in Advanced Encryption Standard hardware-based encryption to prevent digital theft. Unfortunately, this added security comes at a significantly higher cost per gigabyte. Unless you need an external storage device with the highest level of data protection, we recommend looking to a more wallet-friendly drive.
| Drive type | External Hard Drive |
| Connector options | USB 2.0 |
| Available capacities | 160GB |
| Capacity of test unit | 160GB |
| Drive size | 2.5-inch |
| Drive speed | 5400rpm |
| Cache | 8MB |
| Dimensions (LWH) | 0.67x3.32x5.17 inches |
| OSes supported | Microsoft Windows Vista Home Basic, Home Premium, Ultimate, Business or Microsoft Windows XP Home, Professional, Media Center Edition |
| Software included | Maxtor Manager software |
Design and features
The Black Armor drive isn't going to win any design contests; it's just a 5.17 inch by 3.32 inch black rectangle with a few silver accents and a small reflective strip on the front. The top of the drive has a single exposed USB 2.0 port for connecting to your computer, but, sadly, there's no FireWire.
It might not be the flashiest drive out there, but the Black Armor is all about internal security. Once you set a password, all your data is secured by Maxtor's government grade 128-bit encryption certified by the National Institute of Standards and Technology. The encryption itself is built directly into the hardware, as opposed to other external hard drives that use software to protect data.
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Compare selected Justin Yu covers headphones and peripherals for CNET. When he's not scouring eBay for useless ephemera or eating hot dogs for breakfast, he spends his time making fun of Internet culture every morning on The 404 podcast.
User Reviews
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Most recent user reviews
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"This is a great secured drive" By Reggie1911
Pros: This is a VERY secure drive that can let you relax if you lose it during travel. The brilliant thing is that it prevents a "brute force attack" by preventing too many attempts at the password before needing to re-seat the USB connection.
Cons: It does get rather hot when it is in use for a long period of time. I had it plugged in at work, and right after lunch, the drive was noticeably warmer. This is not a deal breaker, but it bears addressing.
Summary: This is a great drive that does in fact fulfill its purpose of making information safe for those who travel. The software is only Windows compatible, and as a tech guy, I prefer alternate OS compatibility whenever possible. That being said, I am not going to deduct any points for ... Expand full review
"Best drive out there if encryption is what you need" By gordonrd
Pros: Hardware based encryption. Although the drive is slower than comparable non-encrypted drives, it's faster than software encryption.
Cons: Speed. Some instability in connecting under Windows 7. No case provided.
Summary: This is a compact, efficient drive for use with WinXP or Vista for those needing seamless, highly secure encryption. Seems not as stable on my machines upgraded to Windows 7. If encryption is not a major need, there is no need to purchase this drive since faster unencrpyted drives will ... Expand full review
Specifications
See full specsQuick Specs
- Hard drive size: 160 GB
- Storage Hard Drive / Hard Drive Type: External hard drive
- Interface type: Hi-Speed USB
