Seagate ships mini storage device for Macs

Hard-drive maker Seagate launched Tuesday a portable consumer storage device which, it claims, can be used to store, protect and manage digital content between multiple computing devices, including those running on Apple's operating system.

Seagate's new Maxtor OneTouch III Mini Edition

Targeted at consumers and small and midsize businesses (SMBs), the newly-launched Maxtor OneTouch III Mini Edition weighs 226 grams and contains a hard-disk drive with capacities of 80GB, 120GB and 160GB. The storage product ships with a software suite to manage and encrypt files that reside on Mac systems.

Like previous Maxtor OneTouch models, the new device is equipped with a hardware backup function that allows local content to be automatically backed up with the touch of a button.

It can also archive files on a set schedule via Seagate's automated backup software, and business travelers can use the bundled file management utility to keep files in their office and home computers in sync.

For data security, Seagate has embedded the Maxtor OneTouch III Mini Edition with its DriveLock firmware that restricts data access if the drive is ever lost or stolen--even if the internal hard drive is removed and attached to another computer.

According to Seagate's press release, the company is pricing the 80GB and 120GB models at US$129 and US$169, respectively, while the 160GB version will set buyers back for US$229.

The announcement rounds off what has been a busy week for the Calif-based company.

At last week's Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, Seagate showed off its new line of pocket-sized portable storage devices--dubbed FreeAgent--designed to allow consumers to take the entire contents of their computers with them.

And on separate announcement Tuesday, the company also unveiled a new, faster class of 2.5-inch hard drives it intends to promote in the server market.