The Transcend StoreJet 25M3 is a robust portable hard drive built to withstand far more than just minor bumps and drops; a military-grade, triple-layer casing and anti-shock protection make the drive nearly indestructible. Its rugged design coupled with notable performance effortlessly earn this Transcend drive the TopTenREVIEWS Bronze Award.
Equipped with a USB 3.0 interface, the StoreJet 25M3 supplies rapid, cutting-edge data transfer speeds that – under optimal conditions – can reach up to 5 gigabytes per second (Gbps). The 3.0 interface is currently the fastest USB connection available and is said to be ten times faster than the preceding 2.0 interface (though under most circumstances it will realistically be closer to two or three times the speed). Since USB 3.0 is backwards compatible with USB 2.0, the Transcend external hard disk drive (HDD) will work on virtually any computer with a USB connection.
The 500 gigabyte (GB) model of the StoreJet 25M3 is actually the smallest capacity model of the drive; both 640GB and 750GB storage capacities are available in the same compact chassis as the 500GB model. We're a little disappointed the drive doesn't come in smaller capacities for casual users with less-demanding storage needs (though Transcend does offer comparable models available in smaller capacities).
One of the best qualities of this portable hard drive is its design and subsequent durability. The drive's impressive drop protection is unparalleled, with an outer casing that's comprised of three separate layers and conforms to U.S. military-grade compliance standards. The built-in shock resistance of the rubber casing material ensures the drive can survive 5-foot drops without risking any internal damage. While most users will likely never realize the full extent of the drive's durability (and we wouldn't recommend testing its claims), it's nice to know the device is built extra-rugged just in case.
A direct result of the drive's drop protection is its weight; the drive is heavier (in terms of ounces) than most external HDDs. But in our opinion, the portable hard drive's sturdiness negates the nominal extra weight it bears.
Like most portable hard drives, this one is bus-powered, meaning it uses a single USB cable to deliver power and transfer data. The drive also has a status LED indicator to signify when data transferring is taking place. But this one differs from other drives in the fact that it illuminates a different color according to the USB interface currently in use: blue for USB 3.0 and red for USB 2.0.
The drive comes with StoreJet Elite backup and security software. Once it's installed, the software allows users to customize data backups on the drive. For instance, users can adjust preferences to schedule incremental backups of certain folders or compress larger files on the drive. The software isn't quite as flexible or customizable as some we've seen on comparable portable hard drives, but it still allows for effective, easy backup. The drive does have plug-and-play capability in the sense a user can simply plug in the drive and transfer and store data without installing the included software.
The software also has encryption capability. While some encryption on an external HDD is better than none, we don't love software-based encryption; it's typically not as secure as hardware-based encryption and it requires more processing power, which can slow down your system.
A unique feature on the portable hard drive is its one-touch backup button; when pressed (and when the drive is connected to the computer, of course), the drive will automatically backup files and folders that it has been set to "remember." However, the feature seems more novelty than necessity simply because it isn't really any more convenient than the single mouse click that could essentially accomplish the same thing.
Transcend offers a respectable three-year warranty on the StoreJet 25M3. This covers parts and labor as long as the damage is due to manufacturing or workmanship defects and not through user abuse, modification or accidental misuse.
When it comes to customer service, Transcend is fairly mediocre. The manufacturer's site doesn't have many technical resources, though users will find a few frequently asked questions. There's also a download center that contains user manuals, drivers and software for all Transcend products. To contact the company directly, the site has an online contact form. We were pleasantly surprised to receive a response to an inquiry we sent within just a few hours.
There's no question the Transcend StoreJet 25M3 is one of the most durable portable hard drives in our lineup. The anti-shock protection built into the three-layer casing ensures the physical integrity of the drive can withstand the abuse incurred through daily transport and use. The one thing we would have liked to have seen on the drive is hardware-based encryption; the inclusion of such a feature would definitely make the portable hard drive one of the best on the market.
