WiebeTech ToughTech Mini pocket drives: Functional portability

Gear Diary is independently owned and operated. We receive compensation through advertising and from the companies whose products we review, usually in the form of the reviewed product. We test the products supplied to us, and the opinions expressed are our own.

Gear Diary is also reader-supported. When you buy through links posted on our site, we may earn a commission at no cost to you.

You can learn more by clicking here.

WiebeTech ToughTech Mini pocket drives: Functional portability

For many, portability is a key determiner when considering new technology, and functional portability is an absolute priority. Myself, I chose to ditch the behemoth desktop computing system years ago in favor of a highly capable new generation of laptops. And as has been the case for my workstation at home, I am ladened with many “extensions” in my portable workspace as well.

These days that includes an external hard disk drive. I never thought I would fill the internal drive of my latest laptop when I purchased it but that ship has sailed.

Enter WiebeTech and their new ToughTech mini pocket drives. Accepting fast SATA 2.5-inch drive units, the new ToughTech series offers that all-important functional portability.

Featuring rugged and attractive aluminum housings, the new ToughTech mini series are available with or without drive units and offer triple or quadruple connectivity options for the ultimate in user flexibility.

WiebeTech ToughTech Mini pocket drives: Functional portability

My computer bag now includes the ToughTech XE mini outfitted with a 320GB 5,400 rpm drive. The unit came complete with all of the necessary cables, AC adaptor, data backup software, product manual disc, case tool and handsome black soft grain leatherette case ideal for storing and protecting the unit. WiebeTech even formats the drive for you so it is ready to go to work right out of the box.

While my unit is Firewire 800 compatible, I use it with the Firewire 400 cable with my laptop. I recently put it hard to work while covering a police K-9 competition where I was shooting both digital stills and video. No hiccups whatsoever even when editing the 720p HD video from the event. And of course all the entrants instantly requested DVDs containing the images and footage. Still not a problem burning all those on my laptop from the ToughTech XE mini.

Pricing begins at $80 for the FS mini (Firewire 400 compatible and sans drive). The XE mini with 320GB 5,400 Firewire 800 unit we received runs $218 and arrives formatted for the latest Mac or Windows OS – your choice.
Compact, lightweight, state-of-the-art – that is how I best describe this unit, a neatly-wrapped little bundle of functional portability.

WiebeTech ToughTech Mini pocket drives: Functional portability

On mine, I did modify the leatherette case that came with it. WiebeTech most likely advises against this but I prefer to leave my unit in the case so I had to cut some cable access slits in the end material. The unit does run hotter but so far no glitches.

For more information on this and other WiebeTech products visit www.wiebetech.com.

As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. Thanks for your support!


About the Author

David Goodspeed
David was editor of AutoworldToday at Today Newspapers in the Dallas suburbs until its closing in 2009. He was also webmaster and photographer/videographer. He got started doing photography for the newspaper while working as a firefighter/paramedic in one of his towns, and began working for the newspaper group full-time in 1992. David entered automotive journalism in 1998 and became AutoworldToday editor in 2002. On the average, he drives some 100 new vehicles each year. He enjoys the great outdoors and as an avid fly fisherman, as is his spouse Tish. He especially enjoys nature photography and is inspired by the works of Ansel Adams.

2 Comments on "WiebeTech ToughTech Mini pocket drives: Functional portability"

  1. Thanks for the info on this, I am in need of one of these.

  2. WiebeTech ToughTech Mini pocket drives: Functional portability … http://bit.ly/ayA0LN

Comments are closed.