Freecom Technologies officially launched on Thursday a new hard drive for PC and Mac, firstly showcased at CeBIT. The new Freecom hard drive is available with capacities of 80, 160 and 250GB. Rotating at a speed of 7,200 rpm, the pre-formatted Freecom hard drive is supplied with the Freecom Media Suite software, enabling the encryption of data (256 Bit/Advanced Encryption Standard) and synchronization by means of the back-up function.

It also features a USB 2.0 interface, or optionally a USB 1.1. Like all Freecom products, the new hard drive complies fully with the CE standard (to EMC Directive).

Freecom claims it is the first external hard disk to be available in the minimalistic aluminium housing with LED display and a new packaging. This 3.5" data medium is equipped with passive cooling, and therefore dispenses with a fan. German-Dutch storage company says it is very quiet in operation.

Freecom also announced that the company will be introducing in the course of 2006 further products within the identical product design range, such as mobile hard disks, optical drive and an ultra-compact data device with a capacity in the terabyte range.

In parallel, Freecom has re-launched its web site that is now online since March 27th and it is said to offer improved navigation and clarity.

The new Freecom hard drive with an 80GB capacity will sell for €89 , the 160GB model will retail at €119 and the 250GB one at €139.