Over the last few months, there have been several new upgrade hard drives and SSDs that have been announced for notebooks and netbooks. One of the common issues for computer users wanting a larger hard drive is getting the data from their computer over to the new drive.

Apricorn has announced a new upgrade kit called the SATA Wire that is a cable that connects to the SATA SSD or HDD and to your PC USB port. The kit also includes software for Mac and Windows machines to migrate data to the new drive.

Don’t let the small size fool you, the VOT550 mini computer from ViewSonic is a powerful and sleek machine, powered by a 2.2Ghz Intel Core 2 Duo T6600 processor with 4GB of RAM, a 500GB HDD, built-in Blu-Ray drive, and Microsoft Windows 7.

Aside from being small, the ViewSonic VOT550 comes in a piano black casing that’s sure to go well with your other gear. It also provides six USB 2.0 ports and an S/PDIF port for your AV receiver. For added security there’s also a Kensington lock.

Dell’s thinnest laptop ever still isn’t shipping out to consumers, but at least the Windows 7 machine is now configurable over on Dell’s website. The base price is $1,799 and includes a 1.4GHz Core 2 Duo SU9400 CPU, a 128GB solid state drive, 13.4-inch WLED panel, 2 megapixel camera, 4GB of DDR3 RAM, GS45 integrated graphics, WiFi and a USB Ethernet adapter.

Sadly most of the components are not upgradable, but there are a few upgrades available if you have the money. You’re looking at a December 22nd estimated ship date.

If there is one common truth about external storage solutions it is that you always use more capacity than you think you will. This is especially true of you are the type who produces and consumes lots of digital media. Hitachi has announced several new external storage devices boasting 2TB of space.

The external solutions include the SimpleDrive USB 2.0 storage solution selling for $249.99. It works with both Mac and Windows computers. Hitachi also crammed 2TB of storage inside its SimpleTech line of solutions. The SimpleTech Pro Drive has USB, FireWire 400/800, and eSATA connectivity to go along with its 2TB HDD for $299.99.

Here’s yet another super-slim ION-powered nettop from Chinese-based JIEHE, dubbed the Giada Slim N10. If slim is your thing you might want to check this one out. It’s light too weighing less then 1kg.

Some features include a dual core Intel Atom N330 CPU, NVIDIA ION graphics, up to 4GB RAM, a 2.5-inch hard drive bay, 3-in-1 card reader and your choice of either Windows Vista or 7 OS. As far as connectivity ports, it offers 5 USB 2.0, eSATA, VGA, HDMI and Ethernet.

It’s that time of year again and yeah Thanksgiving isn’t even here yet, but it’s time for the crappy Santa USB drives to arrive. Who buys these? Do you buy these? Do you have them given to you by the office dork? This one is from PQI. The limited edition Intelligent Drive-U825 Santa USB flash drive.

It’s water and dust proof so when someone gives you one and you throw it in the street, some other dude can find it and use it. It’s available in capacities from 4GB to 16GB. It can also be used as a dongle decoration. Oh joy.

Your living room still not connected enough for ya? If you answered no, then meet the USB TV Card Player. For $53.99, it allows you to check out all of your favorite digital photos and movies on your TV without the need of any expensive and complicated equipment.

It will read all of your favorite movies from SD, MMC or Memory Stick memory card. Or shove a USB flash drive in it that and you are ready to go. It will do video, plus lots of popular audio formats.

Active Media Products is surely going to need a lawyer over this silly USB flash drive. Sure, it is possible that Sarah Palin agreed to have her image used to market AMP’s new “Wink” USB flash drive, (It wouldn’t be the stupidest thing she’s ever done) but chances are that’s not the case.

In any event, this thing is being touted as the world’s smallest 16GB flash drive and it’s waterproof too. It measures 1.2 x 0.5 x 0.1 inches. It’s available now for $7.95 for 2GB. 16 GB will cost you $37.95. So who wants a face on their flash drive?

We’ve seen our share of Star Wars USB drives, but Etsy seller Alas My Dear has hand made some of the most adorable we have ever seen. These are hand knit Star Wars plush dolls that double as USB flash drives.

You used to fear Vader. Now you’ll want to cuddle up to him on a cold night. The drives cost from $40-45 for 2GB with a $10 4GB upgrade option. There are a few to choose from, like Yoda and slave bikini Princess Leia for example.

I’m not even sure if you can still buy vinyl records today. I am sure there are people out there with huge record collections though that want to listen to the vinyl albums and turn their collection into digital files. Audio-Technica has unveiled its new AT-LP120-USB USB turntable system.

The player connects to a PC via USB and includes Mac and PC software that allows the tracks to be turned into digital format. The turntable supports 33-1/3, 45, and 78 rpm records and has a speed adjustment and speed indicator.

T-Mobile is shipping the webConnect Jet modem and the T-Mobile Tap handset. The webConnect Jet modem will allow you to hook up to T-Mobile’s 3G network and offers access to T-Mobile’s Wi-Fi hotspots when you need it. It can also be used as a flash drive thanks to a handy microSD memory card slot. The Jet USB modem comes with a $30 monthly plan that maxes out at 200MB data. On the other hand, a $50 monthly plan has 5GB worth of data. It will also roam globally on quad-band GSM/EDGE and handles dual-band UMTS/HSDPA access.

The Tap is a 3G touchscreen handset that will hook up to T-Mobile’s web2go service. Some features include a 2-megapixel camera, integrated music player, assisted GPS and stereo Bluetooth audio.

The Harmonica is a tough instrument to master. So it makes sense to combine it with instructions to learn how to play the harmonica right on the harmonica itself. That’s right, this harmonica is also a USB flash drive.

On the flash drive side there’s a 10 minute quicktime video that will teach you everything you need to know. It’s available in 2GB and 4GB varieties. You’ll be working that instrument like a pro in no time. Who’s buying one?

Brinell’s Purestorage line of external HDDs feature and classy exteriors. They’re almost too pretty to carry around and risk scratching that beautiful leather, carbon, wood or stainless steel case. These are probably the sexiest way to carry 160GB to 500GB on your person.

They remind us of old cigarette cases and come equipped with Mini-USB cable connections, a cleaning cloth and backup and synchronizing tool PureSync by Jumping Bytes.

Litl describes their Webbook as “an internet computer that works great with your favorite websites”. The Litle Webbook aims to be versatile and can be used as a standard netbook or, flipped around, as a TV device with an optional remote and “TV style” control knob.

Some features include a 12-inch LCD display with an Intel Atom 1.6GHz processor, a GPU that can playback H.264 in 720p, 1GB of RAM, and 2GB of built in flash storage. What sets it apart is that it has no hard drive. All data is stored on the Internet. You’ll also get built-in WiFi, a headphone jack, HDMI, a USB 2.0 port, and a built-in webcam.

USB 3.0 devices are just now showing up for mass consumption and Super Talent is leading the charge, having just introduced the first USB 3.0 flash drive, which promises transfer rates of up to 320MB/sec.

If you have a USB 3.0 socket, you’ll get speeds up to 200MB/sec. If you use it in a USB 2.0 connector it will slow to USB 2.0 speeds of course. No word on a price or release date, but expect it to ship soon in 32GB, 64GB and 128GB capacities.