Conveniently, quiet and easy to handle

+ Compatibility: Windows PC, Panasonic TV
+ Very quiet
+ USB 3.0 and 2.0
+ Reasonable price
o Speed
? Compatibility: Mac

== Introduction: Made in China
The first thing entgegenprangte me on the original packaging, was a small sticker "Made in China". Oh, oh, I thought, but was pleasantly surprised by the "Verbatim Store 'n' Go 500GB USB 3.0". So positive that I have next to the hard drive (silver) ordered for backup me a second hard drive (black) for the TV as an external storage medium. In the test I agree to both versions (silver / black), the differences are marginal.

== Compatibility: sociable
For my concept of the most important points that compatibility with the connected computers, and here the same good news: The external hard drive running at me without any problems on all devices.
1. Dell Dimension E521 computer (USB 2.0, Windows XP)
2. Samsung Netbook NP-NC20 (USB 2.0, Windows XP)
3. Panasonic TV TX-L32GN23 (USB for recording and playback)
For compatibility with Macs, I can not say anything.

== Speed: USB 2.0: USB 3.0: Medium (?)
Under USB 2.0 copying proceeds rapidly, the tool h2testw determined for writing as reading about 30 Mbyte / s. Limitation is certainly the USB2.0 port with a maximum of 35 Mbyte / s. Only under USB 3.0, it will probably be really fast and the speed of the hard drive play a role, and I have no opportunity to test. In tests, we read that the built-in Samsung hard drive is the speed in midfield.

== Noise level: Very quiet
The hard drive is barely audible during operation, only the arrival and departure you can hear the hard drive significantly. When operating on the desk next to you can hear the Netbook Samsung Netbook, but not the Verbatim Hard Drive. When we remove the hard drive to something, then it is loud and audible, in practice, this is likely but not play a role.

== Formatting: FAT32 or NTFS
The hard drive comes standard with FAT32 formatted. If you want to operate the hard drive work on Mac computers, you should leave this formatting. Otherwise the formatting to NTFS, which also supports files larger 4 GB is recommended. Start the included software before formatting and will help secure the software that is included on the hard drive. Only after securing the supplied software (which you can import by copying again after formatting), one should perform the formatting.

== Hardware: Samsung HM500JI or Samsung HN-M500MBB or ...
I have written above me successively appointed two disks within 2 weeks. In the silver version is installed a Samsung HM500JI 500GB hard drive, in the black body houses a Samsung HNM-M500MBB. As written in other reviews, in addition to Samsung and Toshiba hard drives are used, which are similar in terms of speed and noise.

== Heat: Ok
After three hours under load (I had recorded three episodes "Rome" on ARTE TV and time-shifted watched), the hard drive was warm, but not hot. The heat generation is likely to represent the intended operating as an external hard drive no problem.

== Cable: rather long
Stick the black USB 3.0 cable is 60cm long, the plug to the hard disk is as far as known to me not a standard. The hard disk is up to me beside the computer or below the television, the cable length is sufficient as thick or rather a bit too long (compared to my external LiteOn DVD drive has a 20cm long cable). EDIT: On a USB extension cable is out of the question due to the power supply (see comment).

== LED and USB port: Rear
The blue LED indicator for power and disk access and the USB port are behind the housing. I think that's okay, because by LED flickering I would like to be distracted while working at the computer not even watch TV. But everyone must know yourself ...

== Painted silver or black
The Verbatim Store 'n' Go is available in various color versions, the middle part is always black, silver, the lower and upper case, black or colored (best look at the pictures). The 500GB USB 3.0 version to my knowledge is only available in silver and black. The 1 terabyte version USB 3.0 version is also available in other colors.
The black version ("piano lacquer black") is very sensitive to fingerprints and scratches, because I have not suggest. The design in silver is significantly less sensitive.

Supplement 01/2015:
The two disks are functioning now over 3.5 years without any problems. (The one plate takes every day on TV, which is second only sporadically for backups in use.)

The 500 GB version is here also in different color combinations (silver / orange, silver / green, ...) available.