PogoPlug has been making appearances in a number of products for a few years now. The premise is simple: take a low-power ARM computer, give it a NAS optimized Linux build, add storage and network access and you have what's been termed the "personal cloud." Access your files anywhere from your PC, phone or tablet; and never beholden to a data center. PogoPlug's particular hardware has been integrated into branded docks and also to OEM branded storage solutions. PogoPlug recently improved its service to include 5 GB of cloud storage available free to anyone interested.
Today, PogoPlug introduces their Series 4 device, an update that adds one key addition. Like the original Seagate DeskStar dock, the Series 4 acts as a dock for Seagate GoFlex mobile hard drives and includes an SD card reader, Gigabit ethernet, single USB 2.0 port and two USB 3.0 ports. The USB 3.0 addition is new, and while the added throughput might be wasted to slow broadband and cellular access, the performance should help with local streaming.
We can expect more personal cloud devices coming our way. While the convenience of storing all your data in a massive redundant data center is great, having to contend with network difficulties and service fees can be less than ideal, particularly the high costs of expanding storage. Personal cloud devices remove the fees and storage barriers, and leave users with the task of optimization and network upkeep. If you're up to the task and interested in expandable cloud storage, this may be one of the best options around.The Series 4 is available now at your favorite e-tailer for $99.
2) Unknown working condition - You don't want to buy a flaky system
3) Warranty - even if you bought it for 20 bucks, if you have to spend money 2 weeks later to fix, then the investment was not worth it
4) Time to set up and configure - too many people don't have that kind of time
5) Older units tend to be noisier
It's admirable to try to re-purpose a used system, but it's far more worthwhile to have the materials in that older system be recycled.
I'm not really sure how 3 USB ports, 1 SATA port and an SD card slot allow for the advertised "infinite storage expansion", unless you consider connecting it to the internet via Ethernet the same as connecting it to the "infinite" resources of "the cloud".
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