28.11.2011

Review: The Iomega Mac Companion

This very useful device functions as an external hard drive, a charger for a range of Apple devices, and also as a USB hub.

The Mac Companion as an External Hard Drive

There are currently two versions on the market; a 2TB model and one offering 3TB of capacity.

Both versions are USB2 configured and include the FireWire 800 interface. The 2TB version retails from around £185 while the 3TB Iomega Mac Companion would set you back around the £280 mark.

Whatever version used, the drive provides a substantial boost to data capacity, and impressive transfer speeds mean very speedy data storage and retreival. 

Via USB 2.0 it is reported the Iomega Mac Companion can write 2GB of various data types at speeds of just over 30MBps. However, we really see the speeds the drive is capable of when using the FireWire 800; read speeds in excess of 79MBps and up to 87MBps when recieving and transferring data to other devices.

Another nice feature is an activity light/capacity gauge located on the front of the device allowing a user to get an idea of how much space is currently available on the drive at a glance. The application to make use of this feature is available from Iomega's website, as is encryption software.

The Mac Companion as a Device Charger

Another important feature of the Iomega Mac Companion is its ability to act as a charger for a range of Apple Devices including the iPad, iPod and iPhone. It possesses both USB 2.0 and 2.1 amp ports. All iPhones, iPads and iPods can be charged when attached to the USB port located on the right side of the Companion, but only when the drive is either unattached to any other device or in sleep mode.

The Mac Companion as a USB Hub

Once the Mac Companion is connected to a Mac via USB it functions as a USB hub with the capacity to hold a range of devices including keyboards, mice, flash drives, printers and other external drives. Syncing can also be achieved with iOS devices connected through a USB port, but this feature will not work when connecting a Mac to the Companion via FireWire.

Speaking of ports, the Iomega Mac Companion is certainly well equipped with these. On the rear of the case we have three USB 2.0 and two FireWire 800 ports. The Companion comes with a selection of cables; a FireWire 800 to FireWire 400, FireWire 800 and a USB 2.0, as well as a power adaptor.

A Complete Package

Well made to fit with other Mac products (it can be mounted on the stands for the Apple Thunderbolt Display, Apple LED Cinema Display and iMac), the extra features the Iomega Mac Companion offers make it a worthwhile consideration, despite the fact that it is more expensive than many other external drives on the market. It could prove to be a very useful addition to a Mac system setup.

back to Servers & Storage