A networkable backup solution with plenty of storage space

Score

• 4 / 5

For

• Large storage capacity
• Can be networked
• Versatile security options

Against

• Not particularly good looking

Verdict

Whether you take your laptop out on the road or not, you need a reliable back-up source to hand and the Buffalo LinkStation Live (£220 inc. VAT) offers this and more. It's not the best looking solution, but you can easily hide it away.

Being a consumer NAS (Network Attached Storage) device with 500GB of storage - up to four times what you'll find on most laptops - it can be configured to run with a single machine or, more interestingly, connected to a network and shared among a number of users. Security can be set up to limit the access of shared users, so you don't have to merely use it as one large back-up drive.

The control software comes on a CD and is split into two parts, one for single-user use and the second for adding to a network. If you install to a single machine, you'll find simple Share file options and, while the software in our pre-release unit wasn't the most robust or easy to use, once we'd overcome this, the device proved invaluable. Bundled with Memeo AutoBackup software, you can run back-up routines with ease, either to the device itself or to external media for archiving.

The unit has been designed to DLNA (Digital Living Network Alliance) specifications, so sharing images and media files with other DLNA media playback kit, such as Buffalo's LinkTheatre, is guaranteed. If you use iTunes, you'll find the drive works with version 7, so you can host your music on the drive and play it through any iTunes player without infringing the copyright controls.

There is a Direct Copy function, so you can plug in your digital camera or USB memory key and have the files automatically transferred, saving time and the need to have your laptop connected.

While this isn't a mobile device, laptop users need a good back-up source in their office/home and the LinkStation is one of the best solutions currently on the market. Highly recommended.

Specification