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Nov 16, 2006 10:55 pm US/Eastern
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Smart Drives Lighten The Load For Laptop Users
(KDKA)
Laptop users who are tired of lugging their computers everywhere can now lighten their load.
The new USB Smart Drive promises to let you leave the laptop at home. You can now access your personal computer files by using the smart drives cutting edge technology called U3C.
"You can store the programs you use most often, and you can store your settings on them, so it's like having your whole PC right there," says Tom Merritt from C-Net.
Merritt says older USB drivers made it difficult to store anything other than documents or data files.
But with U3, users can easily store software like web browsers, email programs, instant messenger, personal preferences and games.
"If I can have everything that I need on this small device, then I can use literally anyone's computer to access what I need," said Nancy Glover, who says she's tired of carrying her laptop.
Once users install the programs they want, they can plug the device in the USB and click on the icon that pops up.
Experts say the U3C will automatically synch with whatever computer it's started on.
Merritt says a major concern with the device is the potential to lose private information.
"If you're storing your settings on here like your email or passwords, if you lose this device, it's possible anyone else could get a hold of that information," he said.
However, Merritt says most of the devices come with security software so users can protect their private information.
Prices range from as low as $30 to more than $100 depending on how much storage space consumers want.
Most smart drives come preloaded with some programs but people can download others from the web.
(© MMVI, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)