New Technology Reviews!.: speeds

Review: Iomega Mac Companion 2TB

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
 
<img alt="Review: Iomega Mac Companion 2TB" class="aligncenter" data-mce-src="http://www.new-technology-news.net/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/2cf73d3e53470-75.jpg.jpg" src="http://www.new-technology-news.net/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/2cf73d3e53470-75.jpg.jpg" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /> 
The Iomega Mac Companion 2TB is no ordinary desktop hard drive. Along with the brushed aluminium and smoky black casing, designed to sit comfortably (and look great) on the foot of an iMac or Apple Display, Iomega Mac Companion also has a useful charging feature. 
Mac Companion is, of course, Mac formatted out of the box. Connect it to your computer through USB and you also benefit from its two-port hub. If you use FireWire 800 for its faster data transfer speeds, there's a second port for daisy chaining. 
But far more interesting is the high-powered USB port on the side of the drive. It's there for charging iOS devices, and is optimised as a fast-charging port if you're using FireWire, or have the drive powered via the mains but not connected to a computer. 
With the drive connected to your Mac through USB, the charging port delivers 500mA of power and can also sync your iOS device. In our tests, it took just over 13 and a half hours to fully charge a flat iPad 2. 
Connect using FireWire and it can no longer be used for syncing, but it delivers 1000mA of power and charges in under seven and a half hours. You can't connect using both at the same time. We think FireWire makes most sense as it gives you faster data transfer and charging, and you can sync using your Mac's own USB ports. 
Available in 2TB or 3TB versions, Mac Companion uses a fast 7200rpm drive. In testing, it achieved random read/write speeds of 14.5/14.7 MB/s under USB and 21.8/21.2 MB/s using FireWire. 
Given the feature set that's included as standard, it's good value for money too. 
</div>

Review: Iomega Mac Companion 2TB

The Iomega Mac Companion 2TB is no ordinary desktop hard drive. Along with the brushed aluminium and smoky black casing, designed to sit ...

Satisfaction with UK broadband speeds is falling

<img src="http://cdn.mos.techradar.com//classifications/computing/internet-and-broadband/images/broadband-exchange-200-200.jpg"> Ofcom's latest research has shown that people's satisfaction with their broadband speeds is declining, with a five per cent shift in the past year. Ofcom suggests that, although the majority of people remain happy with their broadband speeds, those expressing dissatisfaction has risen significantly. "Ofcom's consumer research shows that, broadly, consumers remain satisfied with their communications services and providers (ranging from 80 per cent satisfaction with broadband providers to 92 per cent satisfaction with mobile providers)," said Ofcom. "However, there has been a increase in consumer dissatisfaction with broadband speeds (from 14 per cent 2009 in to 19 per cent in 2010)." Code of conduct Ofcom also reiterated that it is expecting a voluntary code of conduct to be adopted by internet service providers, which will allow people to leave their broadband contracts if the service is not up to scratch. "Ofcom recently published a revised voluntary code of practice which aims to ensure that consumers are given an estimated speed range that they can achieve on their broadband line," added Ofcom. "The new code also allows consumers to leave their contracts should they achieve speeds significantly below what they were advised at point of sale, if steps taken by providers to improve speeds are unsuccessful."

Satisfaction with UK broadband speeds is falling

Ofcom's latest research has shown that people's satisfaction with their broadband speeds is declining, with a five per cent shift in...