Dave Bresnick, senior product manager of the Kanguru e-Flash drive, said the drive would realistically offer read speeds of 75MB/sec compared to USB 2.0's 30MB/sec. -- and write speeds of 25MB/sec., up from USB's 20MB /sec.

Kanguru's e-Flash drive comes in a 16GB version for US$84.95, with the 32GB model selling for $119.95. The company expects to release a 64GB model in the next three months.

Bresnick, said the company is targeting customers that have large storage capacity needs combined with higher-speed data transfer requirements, such as digital video and music.

The Kanguru e-Flash uses a powered eSATA connection, which alleviates the need for external power cords, but the drive also comes packaged with an eSATA power bracket and an eSATA power cable for easy computer hookups, Bresnick said. The USB connectivity keeps the drive mobile, allowing it to be plugged into any PC with a USB port.

"We found a lot of the notebooks and a lot of computers are actually starting to come out with eSATA connections now. I know a lot of Dells, HPs and a couple of other manufacturers are releasing laptops that have eSATA/USB connection, which is actually a powered eSATA connection, which is what our drive has," Bresnick said.