Verbatim has launched a new line of SmartDisk 2.5" Portable Hard Drives (HDs) at CES in Las Vegas.

The new palm-sized external drives will come in 120, 160, 250, or 320GB sizes and be available for both Windows and Mac users.

Verbatim will offer users the choice of a USB interface or a Combo USB/FireWire interface. With the Combo USB/FireWire interface, the device also becomes interoperable and files can be transferred between a Mac and a PC. The bus-powered, 5400 RPM drives deliver transfer speeds of up to 480MB per second (MB/sec.) when connected with USB 2.0 and up to 400MB/sec. for FireWire connections without requiring an AC power adapter.

Verbatim 2.5" SmartDisk Portable HDs support the "Time Machine" backup feature in Mac OS X Leopard.

Included in the USB-only models is CMS' BounceBack Express backup software.

The Verbatim 120, 160, 250 and 320GB 2.5" SmartDisk Portable HDs will be available in January 2008 in the US. Prices will start at US$99.00 for the 120GB USB version. No UK pricing has been given as yet.

We will keep you posted.