Lenovo pitches passcode-protected external hard drive

Lenovo has launched a portable hard drive with an integrated numerical security pad, designed to divert would-be data thieves.

Lenovo's HDD is passcode protected

Image courtesy of Wired

Once you’ve set a six- to twelve-digit combination on the ThinkPad USB Portable Secure Hard Drive, you’ll be required to enter the number sequence each time you want access to your precious data.

Lenovo said the drive meets the 128-bit AES (Advanced Encryption Security) standard, and stressed that the HDD’s “real-time encryption” ensures that there’s no lag time between you entering the code and data access being granted. Up to ten separate user IDs can be stored.

A retractable USB cord’s built into the drive’s body, meaning you won’t have to carry a separate cable around with you to power the drive or access its data. The drive’s also less than an inch thick and small enough to fit in a shirt pocket.

Lenovo’s ThinkPad USB Portable Secure Hard Drive will be available Stateside later this month. A 160GB model will cost $190 (£128/€149) and the 320GB version will set you back $220 (£148/€173). We’ve been unable to crack the code to get a UK launch date... yet.