Guardian MAXimus provides 300 GB, 10,000 RPM external storage

While things are slow on the new camera front in anticipation of Photokina later in the year, the same can't be said of new hard drive releases. In the latest high-profile HDD announcement this week, Newer Technology (a.k.a. NewerTech) has launched an external storage solution sporting mirrored 300 GB, 10,000 RPM drives – the Guardian MAXimus 300 GB.

We were idly wondering how long it would take a manufacturer to stuff the 10,000 RPM WD VelociRaptor drive that our friends over at DesktopReview.com recently had a chance to take a look at, and the answer, clearly, is "not long."

Although Guardian advertises the drive as a 300 GB model, it actually contains two VelociRaptor 300 GB drives configured in a mirrored RAID 1 setup – meaning a separate backup copy of all data stored to the drive is actually housed within the device itself.

Of course, with 10,000 RPM spindle speed (the "fastest SATA drive on the market" according to WD) and the MAXimus's "triple interface" (with FireWire 800, FireWire 400, and USB 2.0 connections) the dual-drive enclosure has the speed and the flexibility to serve as an external file source for photo and video editing.

Given that 300 GB VelociRaptor drives are currently running over $300 per unit, the MAXimus's rather dear $899 suggested price is hardly surprising. Look for the storage system to begin hitting retail outlets in coming days.

More info and specs on the drive can be found at www.newertech.com.