Buffalo DriveStation HD-HXU3 Hard Drive Packs USB 3.0 Interface

Buffalo's new DriveStation HD-HXU3 external hard drive packs a super-speedy USB 3.0 interface...but you can still use it with USB 2.0 systems.

Peripheral and storage vendor Buffalo has shipped its first USB 3.0 external hard drive in the form of its new DriveStation HD-HXU3. For folks who have a USB 3.0 port—built-in or (more likely these days) via an add-on interface card—the drive supports data transfers at rates up to 130 MB per second, or about three times faster than USB 2.0. And for folks with USB 2.0 ports…the drive will work there too, albeit at normal USB 2.0 speeds.

“The new DriveStation HD-HXU3 combines both USB 3.0 performance, and the latest hard disk technology to give consumers the fastest, and most reliable solution on the market,” said Buffalo Technology’s sales VP Ralph Spagnola, in a statement. “The DriveStation HD-HXU3 delivers on Buffalo’s ongoing commitment in delivering high quality, robust storage solutions to meet the high demands of today’s consumers.”

In theory, USB 3.0 enables data transfers of up to 5 Gb per second—which would work out to about 625 MB/s—but so far USB 3.0 storage products don’t come close to their theoretical maximum. Nonetheless, for folks who push around immense chunks of data—like video files—any speed boost on USB 2.0 may be welcome.

The HD-HXU3 comes with Memeo backup software for Windows and Macintosh; the drives are available in 1, 1.5 and 2 TB capacities at suggested retail prices of $199.99, $249.99, and $399.99, respectively.