Hardly two months ago, we tested the StoreJet 18M. Now we have the larger StoreJet 25M, a 2.5-inch external hard drive. The version tested has a 500 GB capacity but also exists as a 320 GB version.

The 25M’s casing, like the 18M, has a rubber coating, avoiding the glossy look. It’ll also be less susceptible to finger marks than certain other casings. In terms of connectivity, all you get is a USB 2.0. Still the same refrain then: it’s a shame that manufacturers ignore eSATA so often as it gives the fastest speeds, or at least it will until USB 3.0 becomes more common.

Great for the clods among you

One of the StorJet 25M’s strengths is its resistance to knocks. According to Transcend, the product has passed military standard MIL-STD-810F 516.5 - Transit Drop. This means it undergoes 26 falls of a foot and a half (1m22) on each side and on the end. No need to pray that it restarts if it falls out of your pocket or off your desk. It should be fine.

Average speeds

Transcend StorJet 25M 500 GB Samsung S2 Portable 500 GB

USB in MB/s

There have recently been a lot of efforts on the part of manufacturers to increase transfer speeds. The 25M is comparable to others. It takes 41 seconds to write 1 GB to the drive and 33 seconds to retrieve it.