Freecom ToughDrive Pro 250Gb

The Freecom ToughDrive Pro isn't like most other portable hard drives. Well, it is in that it's got a 250Gb laptop hard disk inside it and it's portable. But where other hard drives require a bit of care and attention if they're to last any time at all, the Freecom is ready for a bit of rough and tumble.

The Toughdrive's primary defences are its thick plastic shell and silky rubber sleeve, and the hard drive itself is cocooned in-between rubber cushions. We particularly like the captive USB cable, which thankfully, is impossible to lose and is strong enough to let you hang the drive from a USB port.

It's no bulkier than other portable drives such as Western Digital's Passport V2, but while we'd hesitate to drop WD's model off a desk, the Freecom withstood falls from 2m onto a flat surface, and without injury too. It's also just as fast as most USB 2.0 drives, managing average transfer speeds of 33Mb/s.

You do pay a hefty premium for the ruggedised shell and nifty design, but if you need more storage than a USB flash drive can muster, and it's got to survive a life on the road, then it's a premium worth paying.

Specifications

250GB 5400rpm portable hard disk, USB 2.0 connection Size 140 x 80 x 19mm Weight 175g