Lexar Media (http://www.lexar.com) has announced the Echo MX and ZX backup drives, designed to automatically protect essential files for on-the-go netbook and notebook users.

Jyh Chau, senior product marketing manager, Lexar Media, says the drives offer high-performance read/write speeds and no-touch backup software. Additionally, the Echo ZX offers a low-profile design and sports an always-on capacity meter.

The Echo MX back-up drive provides 128-bit AES encryption with built-in Lexar Echo backup software. It’s available in capacities of 8GB, 16GB, 32GB, 64GB, and 128GB, provides multiple levels of storage, and offers speeds up to 28MB/second read and 10MB/s write on lower capacities and speeds up to 30MB/s read and 17MB/s write for the 128GB capacity.

The Echo ZX provides all the benefits of a larger backup device in a tiny, plug-and-stay USB form factor, says Chau. This always-ready, low-profile drive can plug into a notebook or netbook and remain there for ongoing, automatic backup of essential files when both stationary and on-the-go.

It offers 128-bit AES encryption, speeds up to 28MB/s read and 10MB/s write on the 8GB capacity drive, and up to 28MB/s read and 15MB/s write speeds on the 16GB and 32GB capacities. The Echo ZX drive comes in 8GB, 16GB, and 32GB capacities.

The Lexar Echo MX is scheduled to be available in the first quarter of 2011; the Echo ZX is due in the spring. Manufacturer’s suggested retail prices for the products range from US$44.99 to $499.99 for the Echo MX and $44.99 to $139.99 for the Echo ZX.