Lenovo ThinkPad Portable Secure Hard Drive Comments

Looks like a quality piece of kit but I can't help thinking the profit margin might be less if I was able to supply my own hard disk.

Would be nice to know what alternatives there are in this area. I noticed that Icy Box make an AES 128bit encrypted 2.5" SATA enclosure that uses an RFID fob as the key (model IB-220RFID-WH) but can't find any detailed reviews.

"unless you happen to work for MI6, and then you'll keep your data unencrypted on your notebook and probably leave it on a train."

So TR have deciphered the Quantum Of Solace what else do they know? Spooky.

Is there no easy way to put a password on an external hard drive? Or is there any software you can recommend? I do not need military grade encrypting, just basic security incase i ever lose it. I remember checking this a while ago and i did not just many options, so would be keen to hear any suggestions.

True crypt is a great free alternative that i would recommend anyone worried about security should check out. Rob

I bought this to back up files from my main system (iMac) and use on my XP netbook when travelling abroad. However, the drive will not allow me to write files from the Mac, although I can read files when connected to the Mac. It reads and writes when connected to an XP. This has defeated the purpose I purchased it for.I cannot see anywhere reference to a Windows only environment for full useability. Any ideas?

Following my grouch above regarding Mac read-only problem, I found one article that suggests a solution - reformatting the unit as FAT32 and reloading the security software - something I'm not sure I want to risk without a little more detail (e.g. I cannot even "see" the security software files on the disk, let alone copy them).

http://www.mobilemag.com/content/100/362/C16897/

The unit works so nicely in a Windows only environment, and for some being read-only by a Mac is sufficient. But for a Mac user, this falls short

Given that I am not a hard core geek, it took me 3.5 hrs to set three passwords - it is a very cumbersome process. Then, a reference is made to some backup software, but I found none and couldn't tell what to do. I called IBM/Lenovo technical support and they refused to talk with me because, although this is a new device and I had the serial number, part number etc, and the warranty says free phone support for X # of dys, IBM/Lenovo did not have a product registered by me. IBM/Lenovo (two calls totally 1.5 hrx) also said one cannot register the product online nor over the telephone. I resent having my time wasted so I packed up the device and am waiting to get rma authorization. These drives should be plug and play.

@kaj
Obviously I'm no fan of this drive because it will not work in a Mac environment, but i found on an XP it was easy to use and did what it says it will. It took me minutes to set up user passwords (not an intuitive process so you have to follow the manual carefully), so I cannot agree with kaj about this.