Super-fast USB3 hard disks finally arrive

Posted on 29 Sep 2009 at 17:30

Freecom's Hard Drive XS 3.0 and Buffalo's DriveStation HD-HXU3 are the first external desktop hard disks to come with USB3 ports - a faster version of the more common USB2 interface currently used on external hard disks.

USB3 has a maximum theoretical speed of 4.8Gbit/s (or approximately 600MB/s) compared to USB2's 480Mbit/s (or approximately 60MB/s).

However, just as current USB2 disks can't reach their maximum theoretical speeds, we don't expect these new USB3 disks to achieve anywhere near their on-paper speeds either.

Freecom claims a speed of 130Mb/s for the Hard Drive XS 3.0, while Buffalo states that the DriveStation can reach speeds of 125MB/s - both of which should be four times as fast as current USB2 disks.

Until PCs and laptops come with USB3 ports built-in, you'll need an adaptor to take advantage of these new hard disks. Freecom has announced a PCI controller card for desktop PCs, which will cost £23, and a £26 ExpressCard adaptor for laptops. Buffalo has also announced a PCI adaptor, but has yet to confirm pricing.

Freecom's Hard Drive XS 3.0 will come with 1TB, 1.5TB and 2TB versions and will be available in mid-November. The 1TB version will cost £100 - around £30 more expensive than 1TB USB 2 disks - but pricing for the larger capacities has yet to be confirmed. The DriveStation will be available in the same capacities but Buffalo was unable to confirm either the pricing or the availability dates for any of them.

Author: Alan Lu

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