Digital Trends

Buffalo DriveStation TurboUSB

October 29th, 2007 | by Josh Norem

Features and Design

Like any backup drive, the DriveStation TurboUSB is a 320GB 7200rpm hard drive inside an enclosure (It is also offered in 500GB, 750GB, and 1TB capacities). And, as we’ve said before, when it comes to backup drives, it’s not the drive that makes the product special, but the software that is included. With that stated, let’s take a look at the included software.

Memeo: The main backup program included with the drive is Memeo, which we’ve reviewed before. Instead of running on a pre-determined backup schedule, it instantly backs up any files added to pre-selected backup folders. For example, if you set it to backup your “My Documents,” as soon as you add one file to that folder it will be copied to the backup location on the drive.

TurboUSB: The drive includes a TurboUSB function that is claimed to boost data transfer rates by “up to 37 percent” over standard USB. How this is possible is a mystery, but Buffalo claims the drive can do it proudly on its box.

File Encryption: The drive ships with software named SecureLockWare that allows for 256-bit AES file encryption on any drive (and does not have to be used with the DriveStation, in other words).

Cool and Quiet: All versions of the drive that offer less than 1TB of capacity are fanless and totally silent. The 1TB version has a fan however, but since we did not test this unit we cannot say with any certainty what its sound profile is.

Image Courtesy of Buffalo Technology