iStorage diskAshur2 500GB
Review by Paul Fiander
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There are some items where function is a lot more valuable than form. However although this is generally the case with External Hard Drives in that we need them to do their job it is handy to not have a bulky brick attached to your device. This is especially true when you look at gaming consoles which are generally in the living room and as such form really is a factor. Thankfully the iStorage diskAshur2 500GB has a large dose of function without compromising on its stylistic aspirations. The real reason to own this rather tasty piece of kit is however the way it has taken security to a whole new level a factor we look at among others within this review.
So first up is the security of the iStorage diskAshur2 500GB, now there are parts of this that I personally do not know how to test. So when the company state the drive has a military security level of encryption (AES 256-bit XTS hardware encryption) I have to take it this is very hard to crack. Obviously from the research I have done this is the truth but unlike some devices the iStorage creators have added a visible show of security to the front of the drive. When it comes to phones Keypads are very old fashioned. However within the context of this product I can not help but think it was something of a masterstroke. Being able to input a code to unlock the device gives the user an extra sense of security that probably has something to do with physical objects like safes. I know it sounds old fashioned but having the lock built into the device instead of just a screen helps to make it feel more secure not only from invasion but also from accidental damage. Allied to this is the satisfying robust nature of the actual keys, you get a nice confirming click on input which means even though you have to input a rather long code (from 7 to 15 digits) you know when you have inputted each reducing the chances of error. |
So what does all this mean? In a nutshell this is great place to hold sensitive files for transportation. In a previous life I worked with confidential files that had to be secured. This meant having a physical PC at home to type up notes on. However with this drive I could easily have transported the files to different computers without the fear of having them lost. It’s also great for storing sensitive files at home or work as the device has a tamper proof design ideal for securing sensitive files.
I tested the iStorage diskAshur2 500GB on a PC and PS4 and it worked with both without any issues. You don't need any additional software it's a simple plug and play set-up (although for the PS4 you do have to use the system to Format the Drive) and in this regard the drive has a very handy built in USB cord. This did worry me a little as having an integrated lead could cause problems if it were to break. However the drives come with a pretty good warranty of 2 years. The connection is of the very sprightly USB 3.1 but it is compatible with the older grade connections.
There are more factors that give this product a air of quality, however the question is would I buy it? In my previous job I would have bought it in a heartbeat. The extra security would have made carrying patient notes feel more comfortable and high works have made my life easier. Now though, security is an issue but these drives are a premium product and this is reflected in their price. The drive I tested which was the 500gb version is priced at £159 on the iStorage website. For a portable drive this is on the steeper side when compared to basic competitors. So it comes down in the end to your value of security, I like to feel that my important documents are safe so this drive certainly appeals to me and my cautious nature. So I would have no qualms in recommending the iStorage diskAshur2 500GB. Except to say I would go note for the 1tb skew as 500gb gets eaten up far too quickly in this day and age.
The real question is do you think you could use in your life?
I tested the iStorage diskAshur2 500GB on a PC and PS4 and it worked with both without any issues. You don't need any additional software it's a simple plug and play set-up (although for the PS4 you do have to use the system to Format the Drive) and in this regard the drive has a very handy built in USB cord. This did worry me a little as having an integrated lead could cause problems if it were to break. However the drives come with a pretty good warranty of 2 years. The connection is of the very sprightly USB 3.1 but it is compatible with the older grade connections.
There are more factors that give this product a air of quality, however the question is would I buy it? In my previous job I would have bought it in a heartbeat. The extra security would have made carrying patient notes feel more comfortable and high works have made my life easier. Now though, security is an issue but these drives are a premium product and this is reflected in their price. The drive I tested which was the 500gb version is priced at £159 on the iStorage website. For a portable drive this is on the steeper side when compared to basic competitors. So it comes down in the end to your value of security, I like to feel that my important documents are safe so this drive certainly appeals to me and my cautious nature. So I would have no qualms in recommending the iStorage diskAshur2 500GB. Except to say I would go note for the 1tb skew as 500gb gets eaten up far too quickly in this day and age.
The real question is do you think you could use in your life?
On the looks front as you can see from above they do stand out. My sample was the fiery Red version which did look great but I am more a British Racing Green man myself and the gold type on the buttons are very cool.
My one regret with this drive is not being able to adequately test the brute force self destruct feature which sounds very James Bondy. Again I take it on faith this will work and I'm almost positive it will just be a wiping of the drive and not an explosion like you see in the movies.
Sample for review and Images supplied by iStorage.
All Prices correct at time of going to press.
All Prices correct at time of going to press.
