What is this?
Micro Solutions' Hi-Speed USB 80GB hard drive comes with a built-in biometric fingerprint authentication allowing you to authorize access of up to eight persons to a maximum of seven logical partitions.
Pros: Ease of use; well ventilated and quiet; very effective biometric security; compact.
Cons: Proprietary USB cable.
Verdict: The Micro Solutions LockBox is a very good product for anyone seeking a USB hard drive, and it's not just for security-minded users.
The Micro Solutions LockBox is a USB 2.0 external hard drive built from the famous Backback series that has been offered for some time. We are testing the 80GB version. The difference between this offering and other Backpack drives is a biometric fingerprint security system for hiding partitions and securing one's data. Once set up, a user only needs to use a touch to unlock hidden partitions on this drive rather than entering a username and password.
Package Content - Micro Solutions LockBox 80GB
- Instructions
- Software CD
- USB cable
- 2-piece laptop-style AC adapter
What's it all about? As with many USB devices these days, the maker recommends installing the software first before connecting the device. This reviewer didn't follow instructions, but he had Windows XP and a broadband connection to save him! Windows found the correct fingerprint manager on the Internet and even warned me that I must now install the CD software. How about that Windows XP works pretty well with this plug and play stuff!
Once the software was installed, the wizard walked us through the setup process. It first asks for a username and password for the first user. The unit allows 8 users full security in total. One can also create 8 total partitions, but one remains a public or open partition. The rest can be assigned and even shared among users. The software asks for a primary and secondary fingerprint sample. The software makes allowance for misplacement and will ask for at least 4 samples of each finger. You can actually see a graphic of your print. It's all quite remarkable.
Note that user number 2 only has security access to partitions Public and Private_2. For user 2 to log out, all he needs to do is engage the fingerprint reader.
One of these two rather large icons will pop up on screen. As you can see, the drive is unlocked for billyd2 in the first and unlocked in the second. Easy!
The software also partitions the drive for you very quickly and easily. There's no need to mess around in Disk Management. Once set up, the drive is seen as a Lockbox Micro Solutions drive in Device Manager. It gives no indication of the actual drive brand. MicroSolutions claims that it's a 7200RPM drive and we have no reason to doubt that. Each time a user logs on, Windows XP makes the plug and play "ding" sound as it adds (makes visible) the extra hidden partition (logical drive).
Using the LockBox couldn't be easier once it has been set up. You log on and off with your fingerprint as needed and copy/move data as usual in My Computer. The simplicity of use is a testimony to the effectiveness of the technology. Too many technologies these days require the user to be tech-savvy. Here is one device that asks very little of the user. It really is a "no-brainer".
How Fast? How Reliable? The LockBox hard drive performed pretty much as one would expect for a 7200RPM drive over a USB 2.0 bus. It's plenty fast for normal usage, but will not break any speed records.
Benchmark Results
Combined Index : 9727 operation(s)/min
Endurance Factor : 3.2
512B Files Test : 14408 operation(s)/min
32kB Files Test : 9110 operation(s)/min
256kB Files Test : 2929 operation(s)/min
2MB Files Test : 442 operation(s)/min
64MB Files Test : 15 operation(s)/min
Buffered Read : 12 MB/s
Sequential Read : 13 MB/s
Random Read : 12 MB/s
Buffered Write : 19 MB/s
Sequential Write : 19 MB/s
Random Write : 19 MB/s
Average Access Time : 8 ms (estimated)
Suffice it to say that the LockBox is a solid storage solution. We had no issues running the drive on multiple PCs and different USB host controllers. It was utterly reliable. If we have one concern, it's the USB cable that comes with the drive. Although the mini-B connection to the drive is not unusual, the depth is. A standard mini-B cable cannot reach the connector inside the drive enclosure. If the user lost the cable, he would have to buy a replacement from MicroSolutions. The drive has a small, quiet ventilation fan. Heat buildup should not be an issue.
Wrap Up The MicroSolutions LockBox is a very good product for anyone seeking a USB hard drive. It's not just for security-minded users, but it will suit those users perfectly and simply. It's a very easy product to use and performs well. Highly recommended.
- William DeVercelly, Contributing Editor
Where to buy Micro Solutions LockBox 80GB?
User Review(s)
We're currently upgrading our user review system; so we won't be accepting new reviews for now. LockBox 80GB Specs
Windows 98, Windows 98 SE, Windows ME, Windows 2000, Windows XP
Capacity
80GB
Rotation speed
7200 rpm
Average transfer rate
25MB/s
Seek time
9ms
Buffer size
2MB
Software
Emergency website utility
Internal drive type
3.5"
Integrated battery
No
Extra?
Fingerprint authentication
Dimensions
6.9" x 4.8" x 1.4"
Weight
1.8 lb.
Power source
Self-powered
Warranty
One year
Extras Turn on and off this self-powered device automatically with your PC.
Lost a USB cable? Get a replacement USB cable.
Running out of USB ports? Get an extra USB hub.
You may need a new USB card to achieve Hi-Speed USB speeds.
Confirm with our USB 2.0 FAQ if you have Hi-Speed USB on your PC.
