The geeky Das Keyboard is reaching out to Mac and Linux enthusiasts with a new set of replacement keycaps featuring Mac and Linux symbols.
(Credit:
Metadot)
The set comes with all the keys pictured (two Mac command keys, two Mac alt/option keys, and two Linux keys featuring Tux the penguin). The keys go for $14.95 and will work only with the Das Keyboard Ultimate, which sports 100 percent blank keys, and the Das Keyboard Professional, which comes with traditional key markings.
Also part of the replacement set--a keycap puller that can be used to easily remove the old keys (Windows, if you happen to have the Professional device).
Das Keyboards were designed by programmer Daniel Guermeur, who's also the founder of open-source software company Metadot. They've gotten attention for the blank keys on some models (which are supposed to make you a better typist), and for their classic, "clicky" IBM model M-style gold-plated mechanical key switches, which give each keystroke a distinct click. They also have "N-key rollover," which lets users press up to 12 keys simultaneously (nice for gamers).
The keyboards are compatible with Windows, Linux, or Mac OS X and do not require the installation of software or drivers.
The new DroboPro storage device from Data Robotics.
(Credit: Data Robotics)I reviewed the Drobo awhile ago and was very impressed with Data Robotics' proprietary BeyondRAID technology used in the device.
Basically, it lets you mix hard drives of any capacity together into a volume that's well-balanced between the largest possible amount of storage and maximum data redundancy. While the Drobo's performance didn't meet our expectations, its technology offers a lot of potential.
Data Robotics on Tuesday expanded that potential into an all new product for the business environment, the DroboPro.
This is the company's first foray into the business sector, and it calls the DroboPro the "business class storage array that manages itself."
Much like the Drobo, the DroboPro also allows for mixing hard drives of different capacities, and you can hot-swap any of them without having to restart or interrupt the data access. This translates into no-downtime expansion of the storage volume. Moreover, unlike the Drobo, the DroboPro now includes protection against multiple concurrent drive failures.
While the Drobo is a pure external direct attach storage (DAS) device with USB 2.0 and FireWire 800 connections, the DroboPro also includes the iSCSI interface (via a Gigabit Ethernet connection). This makes the DroboPro one of a few hybrid devices that support both network attached storage and DAS. As you need to buy the DroboShare to make the Drobo work with a network, personally, I think the addition of the network port is the most welcome feature of the DroboPro.
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The MiniStation Shinobi is merely .2 inches thick and weighs only 2 ounces.
With a name that recalls the famed Japanese ninja movie, the MiniStation Shinobi is arguably the thinnest and lightest external hard drive to date--merely .2 inches thick and weighing only 2 ounces.
Buffalo announced the drive on Monday. Unlike other pocket-size external hard drives that use the 2.5-inch drives found in most laptops, this one uses the 1.8-inch laptop hard drive that's more often associated with smaller devices such as portable media players. For this reason, the external hard drive is significantly more compact and lighter, but it also features limited capacity: up to only 60GB. This is because while regular 2.5-inch internal hard drives hit the 500GB mark a long time ago, the 1.8-inch version just very recently reached 240GB.
The USB 2.0-only MiniStation Shinobi comes with Buffalo's SecureLockMobile software that prevents unauthorized access in the event the drive is lost or stolen. Like the DriveStation FlexNet, the Shinobi also comes with Turbo USB technology to boost the throughput performance, plus Memeo's AutoBackup and Auto Sync software.
The MiniStation Shinobi will be available in October in 30GB and 60GB versions for an estimated street price of $120 and $170, respectively.
The DriveStation FlexNet
It can be a hard choice between a direct attached (DAS) and a network attached (NAS) external storage device. The former offers high-speed data throughput but requires a computer, while the latter can work by itself with a throughput speed that's limited by the network connection. How about not having to pick one over the other?
Buffalo Technology is offering that option on Monday with its new DriveStation FlexNet storage device. The device comes with both 10/100 Ethernet network storage functionality for it to be an NAS and a USB 2.0 connection for it to work as a regular external hard drive. However, it can only work as either at a time and has a button that quickly toggles between the two modes.
Other than that, the DriveStation FlexNet is a single hard-drive storage device (hence, no RAID configuration) with a compact and sleek design. It ships with Memeo AutoBackup, has a one-year warranty, and features the useful TurboUSB technology. TurboUSB can boost the USB 2.0 speed up to 20 percent faster than other standard USB drives. I personally witnessed this in SimpleTech's re-drive, the only device I've reviewed so far that features this technology.
The new DriveStation Flexnet will be available in late September with an estimated price of $250 for the 1TB version. There are also 640GB and 500GB versions that cost $170 and $150, respectively.
In 2005, keyboard maker Das earned much geek-cred with its all-black Das keyboard. The unique design featured no key markings, forcing you to remember where the keys are. It also came with the classic, "clacky" IBM model M-style mechanical key switches that few keyboard makers use anymore, but that many old-school computer users prefer for its satisfying feel. Come late July, Das will update its old design with two new models.
The new Das Professional keyboard comes with key markings. For the weak.
(Credit: Das)Both the Professional and the Ultimate keyboards will sell for $129 ($99 if you preorder here). Each comes with the same mechanical key switches, as well what's called "N-key roll-over" which allows you to press up to 12 keys simultaneously. Both models also have a 6-foot USB 2.0 cable and a pair of USB 2.0 ports built-in. The only difference between the two is that the Professional model comes with traditional key markings. The Ultimate version, like the original Das keyboard, has none.
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