Plextor have been known to produce some of the best CD/DVD burning drives on the market for as long as they've been around, but now they expand their horizons and enter the portable hard drive market with the release of two new "shock-proof" portable 2.5" units.

Dubbed the PX-SP line, they come with a silicone casing which helps protect the drive from knocks and scratches etc. - So far there is an 80GB and 120GB offering set to hit shelves.

For further details, have a read of the official announcement on Plextor's website.

FREMONT, Calif. - April 17, 2006 - Plextor® Corp., a leading developer and manufacturer of high-performance digital media equipment, today announced the immediate availability of the PX-SP family of shock proof, portable hard disk drives (HDD). The external drives are available in two capacities - 80 GB (PX-SP08U) and 120 GB (PX-SP12U). Measuring just 3.33 x 0.74 x 5.51 inches (W/H/D) and weighing less than 8 ounces, these highly portable drive enable users to carry their data with them anywhere, anytime.

PX-SP Series come with a specially designed silicon jacket bumper that helps prevent the unit from crashing if it is accidentally dropped. Compatible with both Microsoft® Windows® and Apple® Macintosh® personal computers, the PX-SP features a Hi-Speed USB 2.0 port interface for a maximum data transmission speed of 480 Mbps. Plextor's retail package comes with everything a user needs to get started, including a portable external hard drive, silicon jacket bumper, Hi-Speed USB 2.0 cable, and quick start guide.