Toshiba Canvio 500 GB USB 3.0 Portable Hard Drive - HDTC605XK3A1 (Black)

by Toshiba

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 3.1 x 4.7 x 0.6 inches ; 8.8 ounces
• Shipping Weight: 9.9 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S.
• ASIN: B005J7YA64
• Item model number: HDTC605XK3A1
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (66 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank:
  • #35 in Electronics > Computers & Add-Ons > External Data Storage > External Hard Drives
• Date first available at Amazon.com: September 19, 2011

Product Description

Size: 500 GB | Color: Black

Amazon.com Product Description

If you want a smarter way to preserve your most precious digital files and memories, Toshiba's "brainy" Canvio 3.0 portable hard drive offers a complete system backup solution in a box. It requires no external AC adapter and it's Plug & Play compatible. Just connect it into the USB port of your PC and you're good to go (learn more about backups below).

The Canvio 3.0 in black (view larger).

 

 

Easily portable.

 

USB 3.0 port.

 

Future-proofed with USB 3.0 technology, the Canvio 3.0 hard drive significantly improves file transfer speed for large media files and dramatically minimizes the wait time for backup and recovery processes. Plus, it's backwards compatible with USB 2.0 devices. Additionally, each Canvio 3.0 portable hard drive includes an internal shock sensor and ramp loading technology to help keep your drive safe.

This version of the Canvio 3.0 portable hard drive has a 500 GB storage capacity, and it comes in black.

Toshiba Canvio 3.0 portable hard drives are compatible with Windows XP, Windows Vista, and Windows 7.

Key Features

	Portable Peace of Mind Toshiba's Canvio 3.0 portable hard drives deliver one of the easiest ways to add storage to your computer. One of the simplest storage solutions in a box, they offer plug-and-play, drag-and-drop convenience.
	Cloud Backup Capabilities Put your backups on the cloud and your concerns on hold. Toshiba's latest Canvio 3.0 portable hard drives come with integrated cloud backup capabilities that simplify taking advantage of this latest innovation (free 30-day trial of cloud backup included).
	Extra Hard Drive Protection Offering a built-in internal shock sensor and ramp-loading technology, Canvio 3.0 portable hard drives help safeguard your data against accidents, drops and unfortunate real-life scenarios.
	Faster Transfer Speeds Powered by new USB 3.0 technology, Canvio 3.0 portable hard drives are far faster than--but still compatible with--USB 2.0 technology. Just plug them in, load the software and start protecting your data.
	Three-Year Limited Warranty Canvio 3.0 portable hard drives are packed with famous Toshiba innovation, tested thoroughly for reliability, and backed by a three-year limited warranty.

 

Computer Backup Made Fast and Simple

The included NTI Backup Now EZ software scans your system and recommends the best coverage for your computer. Choose from three backup strategy options:

 

Easy backups with NTI Backup Now EZ software.

Back up your files to the cloud. Back up your files and folders to your Canvio 3.0 portable hard drive. Back up everything saved on your computer. Or, choose all three for the most comprehensive coverage.

Click the restore button and you can recover a file or folder. Boot to your Canvio 3.0 portable hard drive and it will restore all the files saved on your computer. Toshiba even includes a utility to burn a boot CD/DVD to make the process even simpler.

Secure your backup files with password-protected data encryption, (up to 256-bit), to help keep your backup safe and prevent unauthorized access. The Drive Space Alert monitor will keep an eye on your drive and let you know when it is getting full.

For advanced users, Toshiba's added the ability to customize your backup routine. Options include the ability to select only the most common file types, (like work documents, pictures, movies, music, etc.), change how often your backup takes place (hourly, daily, weekly, etc.), and change the threshold settings on the Drive Space Alert.

Specifications Color: Black Capacity: 500 GB Disk Speed: 5400 RPM Interface: USB 3.0 Transfer Rate: Up to 5 Gb/s Average Seek Time: 12 ms Buffer: 8 MB cache Dimensions: 3.1 x 0.53 x 4.7 inches (WxHxD)

What's in the Box Toshiba Canvio 3.0 portable hard drive, pre-loaded backup software, USB 3.0 cable, quick install guide, warranty card

Product Description

Canvio 3.0 products have been designed and manufactured in accordance with Toshiba's high quality product standards, incorporating the latest technology and user-interface, while ensuring best-in-class performance, quality and workmanship. With Toshiba's Canvio 3.0 Portable Hard Drives, you'll enjoy portable storage space for even the largest digital libraries. Our 500GB Drive is capable of storing up to: 142,000 digital photos, or 131,000 digital music files, or 410 downloaded digital movies. Each Canvio 3.0 Portable Hard Drive includes an internal shock sensor and ramp loading technology to help keep your drive safe. Computer backup made fast and simple. Canvio 3.0 Portable Hard Drives are preloaded with software to make backup fast and simple. The included NTI Backup Now EZ software scans your system and recommends the best coverage for your computer. Choose between backing up your files to the cloud, backing up your files and folders to your Canvio 3.0 portable hard drive, backing up everything saved on your computer, or choose all three for the most comprehensive coverage. Click the restore button and you can recover a file or folder. Boot to your Canvio 3.0 Portable Hard Drive and it will restore all the files saved on your computer. We've even included a utility to burn a boot CD/DVD to make the process even simpler. Secure your backup files with password-protected data encryption, (up to 256-bit), to help keep your backup safe and prevent unauthorized access. Options include the ability to select only the most common file types, (like work documents, pictures, movies, music, etc.), change how often your backup takes place (hourly, daily, weekly, etc.) and change the threshold settings on the Drive Space Alert. Toshiba Canvio 3.0 Portable Drives are compatible with Windows 7, Windows Vista and Windows XP. For over 20 years Toshiba has been developing and manufacturing hard drives used by every major brand of notebook computer.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

80 of 86 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Awesome Drive, Be Aware of USB 3.0 Requirements, November 15, 2011

By 

Prime Meridian (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Toshiba Canvio 1.0 TB USB 3.0 Portable Hard Drive - HDTC610XK3B1 (Black) (Personal Computers)

We got this drive for backing up AVCHD movies from our new camcorder (1080HD takes up a lot more room than 720SD). The drive works like a charm and does everything it's supposed to - it's fast, quiet, and has plenty of space. Works fine with USB 3.0 and 2.0 ports.

Some things to consider:

* This is a USB 3.0 device. You can use it on USB 2.0 ports, but USB 3.0 devices are less tolerant of out-of-spec components. Some older USB ports cannot handle the signal and power requirements of a USB 3.0 device. For example, I can plug this drive directly into my HP laptop docking station (USB 2.0) and it works like gold. I plug it into the USB ports on the front of one of my desktop PCs (USB 2.0, connected to the USB header on the motherboard) and all the drive will do is come on, make a clicking sound, and report an error in Windows (not enough power going to the drive). I plug it into a rear USB port on the same desktop with an extension cable and it works like gold again. I suspect this low tolerance for older, out-of-spec USB components is causing the problems other reviewers seem to be having with the drive.

* As others have mentioned, the USB 3.0 cable included with the drive is rather short (~18in). I suspect the short length may have something to do with Toshiba's attempt at mitigating potential problems with older/out-of-spec USB components. I had luck using a USB extension cable, but that was on a USB 2.0 port. Your mileage may vary.

So, two caveats: (1) If you use it with older and/or out-of-spec components you may have some troubleshooting to do; and, (2) the included cable is shorter than others. Neither of those things is worth taking off a whole star.

29 of 30 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Tiny & Well Built Peace of Mind, November 25, 2011

By 

Alan Houston "alanhouston-texas" (Houston, Texas, United States) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Toshiba Canvio 500 GB USB 3.0 Portable Hard Drive - HDTC605XK3A1 (Black) (Personal Computers)

The primary use for tiny (cell phone size) backup drives is to get "peace of mind"...to have a place to keep backups of important documents, photographs, etc.

Last year, I bought a Canvio 2.0 that is now almost full. The Canvio 500GB is identical to my old drive, but packs in 50% more storage capacity and is 300% faster, when used with a computer that supports USB 3.0 data transfers.

I am using the Canvio 3.0 with a 64 bit Windows 7 computer. The Canvio is designed for high speed USB 3.0 ports, but works fine (but more slowly) with the USB 2.0 ports on my computer. Because it uses the USB cord for both data transfer and for power, it does not have a power cord or a power pack. (One of my older backup drives came witha power "brick" that actually weighed as much as a REAL brick).

The Canvio works quickly and quietly. It is light, but it is made with high quality materials and workmanship, and looks like a $300 cell phone (it is a tad larger and a tad heavier than the Android phones with 4.5 inch screens). It has no cooling fan or cooling vents. My older Canvio got very warm to the touch when I did an hour long data transfer in a 75 degree room.

In a 70 degree room, the new Canvio feels cool to the touch. Because the Canvio does not have any cooling mechanism, I plan to make sure any data transfers that will last more than ten minutes or so are done in a 70 degree room. (Here in Texas, 70 degrees qualifies as Winter).

The Canvio came with NTI Backup software. I do NOT trust any third party software to do a backup of the operating system or software. My computer came with a "factory restore" feature that I will use if my hard drive ever completely crashes. But, a factory restore will delete the contents of the "My Documents" folder, which is where NTI becomes useful.

The NTI Backup can be setup for daily "auto" backups of the "My Documents" folder. The first 3gb backup took about five minutes, but the daily backups take less than a minute, as the NTI software only backs up files that have been added or altered.

NTI does the auto backup each morning when I start the computer. To be extra safe, I also use the Windows 7 "Drag and Drop" feature to create a second backup of "My Documents" each week.

The most important thing to know about hard drives is that ALL of them will fail eventually. Your most valuable documents and photos should be backed up to a Canvio, and also placed on DVD's that can be stored in a cool, dry location.

I am setting up a system of backing up my most important files to Canvio "Number One" every week, and to Canvio "Number Two" once each month. That way, I have a copy of essential files on my computer, and on both of my Canvio drives. I am sure one of my hard drives will fail in the next year or two...but all three drives fail the same month? Not likely.

14 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Solid, reliable hard drive, great price, November 23, 2011

By 

Adam "Adam" (Chicago, IL) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Toshiba Canvio 1.0 TB USB 3.0 Portable Hard Drive - HDTC610XK3B1 (Black) (Personal Computers)

Bought this for $90 and it works right out of the box. I had owned another red Canvio 1 TB Toshiba portable hard drive and wanted another one. This is not as stylish as the red one and has no pattern just plain black but who cares about that. You get 937GB of storage, USB 2.0 backwards compatible, that's how I am using it with a Win7 netbook. Software is great, I would recommend this for $90 as all other 1TB portable hard drives are over $120 at least. Transfer speed with USB 2.0 is much slower than 3.0.

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