By Alan J. Pierce EdD

Imation Pro WX – World’s first Secure Wireless External Hard Drive

Do you find computer accessory wires a trip hazard? If you do the title of this review says it all. The Imation Pro WX is a wireless external hard drive that provides secure read/write communication to and from your computer without a wired connection. See photo 1.

The connection between the Pro WX and your computer is completely separate from any other wireless network that might already exist in your home, school, or place of business. It is packaged with a pre-matched USB host adapter that you plug into one of the USB ports on your computer. The Pro WX establishes secure 1:1 wireless communication with your computer through this adapter.

The Pro WX has a 1.5 TB capacity and a wireless transfer rate 15MBs per second. It is preloaded with Memeo backup software. Imation designed the unit so you can make choices on how it will be used. It can be setup in a wired or wireless mode, operate in a vertical or horizontal position, and be used as a backup drive or giant auxiliary drive for extra computer storage.

Getting Stated

You need to plug the Imation Pro WX into an electrical outlet, push out its feet if you are intending to use it in a vertical orientation, and turn up its antenna. To setup your computer you need to plug in the host adaptor into a USB port. Your computer will quickly inform you that it has found new hardware and after a few moments it will inform you that your hardware is installed and ready for use.

When you press the power button on the Pro WX it signals its factory matched host adaptor and they both establish a 1:1 secure link. If you want to use the drive as a backup drive you just need to follow simple instructions to start using the pre-installed Memeo software.

Now when this hardware is on you can automatically backup your computer or perform other linked functions

L

The world’s first wireless external hard drive isn’t perfect. I expected the Pro WX to be the perfect supplement for a Netbook or Notebook computer. I expected that you would be able to share files and perform backups within a 50 foot range of the main unit. I tried a number of locations and found that I needed to stay in the same room for the system to work. It was also bothersome having the host adaptor hanging off a USB port.

The Memeo software backs up only your files. It does not backup your Operating System and other software you have installed on your computer. If Imation pre-installed a backup program such as Rebit (read my review at http://www.techknow-vision.com/Rebit.htm), increased the wireless range, and decreased the host adaptor’s size, they would have a fantastic product.

Alan is Co-Author of Introduction to Technology 2010, Glencoe McGraw-Hill, Magazine Columnist, and a Tech Ed consultant. Visit www.techtoday.us for past columns and other resources.