# Slim Storage Systems The Drobo Mini is Compact and Practical for Digital Use By Sarah Moore | Published 2012-06-23 | Tech Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/drobo-mini References: [coolhunting](http://www.coolhunting.com/tech/drobo-mini.php) & [drobo](http://www.drobo.com/products/professionals/drobo-mini/index.php) The Drobo Mini is a small box that houses big storage capacity. The storage array offers photo nerds or tech wizards the ability to operate all of their digital devices on-the-go as well as providing them a safe and secure device to store their work until they can transfer it to where it is needed. The device can also be used to expand the storage capacity on one's laptop or personal desktop computer. It operates using both combined disk and [solid-state technologies](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/crucial-x9-pro-2tb-ssd) which allows for mixing and matching its components to personalize the device to meet individual storage needs. It includes both [Thunderbolt](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/storage-hub-expansions) and USB 3.0, two firsts for a device of its kind, as well as an integrated SSD drive and it operates at a lighting fast speed. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 1.4/10 - Popularity: 12% | Activity: 23% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Gen Z, Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, Asia ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Tech](https://www.trendhunter.com/tech) > [Gadgets](https://www.trendhunter.com/gadgets) ## Key Themes ### Key Themes Behind This Trend - **Compact-storage-devices:** Opportunity for creating innovative and compact storage solutions for digital devices on-the-go. - **Combined-disk-and-solid-state-technologies:** Opportunity for developing personalized storage devices that allow mixing and matching components for different storage needs. - **Thunderbolt-and-usb-3.0-integration:** Opportunity for integrating fast data transfer technologies into storage devices for improved performance. ### Where This Applies - **Consumer-electronics:** Opportunity for consumer electronics companies to develop and market compact storage solutions for digital devices. - **Information-technology:** Opportunity for IT companies to create personalized and adaptable storage devices using combined disk and solid-state technologies. - **Data-storage-and-management:** Opportunity for companies in the data storage and management industry to incorporate Thunderbolt and USB 3.0 technologies for faster and more efficient data handling. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Compact Portable Storage Drives](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/portable-storage-drives.md) - [Budget-Friendly Portable Storage Systems](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/portable-nas.md) - [High-Performance Data Storage Drives](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/owc-envoy-pro-mini.md) - [High-Speed Wire-Free SSDs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/wireless-ssd.md) - [Portable SSD Storage Devices](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/ssd-storage-device.md) - [Unlimited Network Storage Systems](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/external-storage-solution.md) - [Thunderbolt Storage Hub Expansions](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/storage-hub-expansions.md) - [Mini Self-Cooling SSDs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/speekeys.md) - [Ultra-Compact Portable SSDs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/ultra-compact-ssd.md)