Freecom ToughDrive Sport

Formatted to FAT32, this drive features software for Mac and PC. On either platform the ToughDrive Sport mounts two volumes: Password - which appears as a CD image - and Freecom HDD. When attached to a PC for the first time, it automatically prompts you to password protect the drive. On the Mac, you need to run the Password application from within the CD image.

Your data should be safe if the drive falls off

Both platforms feature Start applications that introduce the drive’s features, and offer easy ways to install and backup the supplied software – the latter being useful if you’re keen to reformat the drive, though the Password software is not backed up.

The Password volume actually exists on an additional chip and delivers 256-bit encryption to the main volume, regardless of format. Once set up with a password, when plugged in again, the PC immediately runs the Password application for you to unlock it.

On the Mac, plugging in the protected ToughDrive Sport produces an unreadable drive warning. The options of Initialise, Ignore or Eject may appear somewhat disturbing for the novice, but attempts to erase the drive do not succeed. Simply choose Ignore and run Password from its mounted volume and all is well.

Compact

Actually, that’s a lie. Tests with two Macs equipped with USB 1.1 ports failed to access the password protected drive. Each time, Password would report: "No Supported Freecom hard drive detected." Even a PowerBook with USB 2.0 PC card failed to get it mounted. Powering the drive separately was tried but to no avail. In short, if this drive is password protected it won’t work on a Mac with USB 1.1 ports. That’s not something you’re going to know about until it matters, and what a way to find out. For the record, a PC with USB 1.1 ports did mount the protected drive without a hitch.