London, UK, 4 September 2007 – Buffalo Technology has enhanced its MiniStation and DriveStation portfolio of USB 2.0 hard drives with its exclusive TurboUSB technology, to significantly speed up file transfer and performance.

The TurboUSB MiniStation is a portable, shock-resistant USB 2.0 attached external hard drive, which delivers unrivalled protection for data on the move. This latest advancement boasts file transfer rates up to 64% faster than traditional USB 2.0 hard drives, allowing for speedy, mobile performance. The new version of the MiniStation also comes complete with a wrap-around cable for easy storage and comprises a tough armoured outer case and shock-absorbent internal design – based on a new and improved floating structure. With the ability to draw power from the PC it is connected to, it requires no external power supply providing a lightweight storage solution that is ideal for mobile users.

The device is available from the end of August in capacities of 80GB (HD-PS80U2), 120GB (HD-PS120U2), 160GB (HD-PS160U2) and 250GB (HD-PS250U2), with a 300GB (HD-PS300U2) version to follow shortly.

Buffalo’s DriveStation is designed for home and small business users to easily back up files. The TurboUSB version will boost file transfer speeds by up to 37% and is available in capacities of 250GB (HD-HS250U2), 320GB (HD-HS320U2), 500GB (HD-HS500U2), 750GB (HD-HS750U2) and 1TB (HD-HS1.0TU2/F). The Auto-Setup function allows quick, easy and driverless installation; Auto-Power-On automatically powers the device on or off with the attached computer for simple energy conservation; and the Auto-Backup feature enables customised backup scheduling for ultimate data protection.
With “Plug-n-Play” USB capabilities, the TurboUSB MiniStation and DriveStation devices can connect to any USB 2.0 port on a desktop, laptop or Buffalo network attached storage device where the software is loaded.  Both devices feature Buffalo’s unique Secure Lock Ware (SLW) utility[1], which offers drive and file encryption to protect data through up to 256bit AES Encryption technology. Both products are Windows and Mac compatible.

Gerardine Lynch, Product Marketing Manager at Buffalo Technology, comments: “We have developed the TurboUSB feature in response to consumer demand for faster and better performance from storage devices. The enhanced speed and functionality of the new MiniStation and DriveStation ranges enable users to back-up and retrieve photos, videos and files faster than ever before.”

Backed by a limited two-year warranty, the TurboUSB MiniStation and TurboUSB DriveStation ranges are available from the end of August from Amazon; Dabs; E-Bay and Play.com at an estimated street price of:
 
TurboUSB MiniStation:
HD-PS80U2 - £55.00 (inc. VAT)
HD-PS120U2 - £59.00 (inc. VAT)
HD-PS160U2 - £78.00 (inc. VAT)
HD-PS250U2 - £113.00 (inc. VAT)
HD-PS300U2 - £173.00 (inc. VAT)

TurboUSB DriveStation:
HD-HS250U2 - £67.00 (inc. VAT)
HD-HS320U2 - £73.00 (inc. VAT)
HD-HS500U2 - £93.00 (inc. VAT)
HD-HS750U2 - £161.00 (inc. VAT)
HD-HS1.0TU2/F - £304.00 (inc. VAT)

From October, the TurboUSB software will also be available on the entire range of DriveStation products - including the DriveStation Quattro, Duo and Combo - and all Buffalo USB Flash Drives.