We Recommend: XS Drive Centre 6900
Tuesday, April 22, 2008 @ 10:15
This is an excellent device for storing large quantities of digital photographs relatively cheaply. Available in sizes from 40 to 160Gb, the XS Drive Centre, manufactured by Card Media, differs from other storage devices in the market. You have to transfer data by using a separate card reader which attaches to this device with a cable. Transfer speeds are fast (about 6-1/2 minutes for a 2Gb file). What you gain in speed you lose in the inconvenience of having to carry around a separate card reader device. And there is no way around this. There are no card slots on the Drive Centre in which to plug your memory cards.
Some of the nice features of this storage device, not readily available on others, is that it has a very generously sized 3.5 inch screen that makes viewing your photos easy. The viewing quality, on the screen, is pretty good as well.
This device has some other handy capabilities as well, including a built in voice recorder, allowing you to add audio captions to your photographs. Also included are a built in video player, and music player. Image files supported by the XS Drive Centre include JPEG, BMP and GIF files, however, RAW files are not supported. The 6900 is relatively easy to use and is controlled by a small joystick located on the back of the unit.
At a price of about 240 euros for the 60 Gb version, the 6900 is a good value. If only it included slots for memory cards, so that one wouldn't have to carry around an extra card reader, it would be absolutely perfect.
