Our take
Choose the MiniStation Slim when its 500GB capacity is enough and the practical priority is a thin portable drive that can draw power from the computer's USB connection. The official page identifies the silver HD-PUS500U3-S, an 8.8mm aluminum body, about 140g weight and bus-powered operation. Those details make the carry and desk setup unusually clear for this batch. Its capacity is smaller than the 750GB and multi-terabyte options, and old Buffalo software descriptions should not be treated as current support. Confirm the exact model and seller unit before ordering.
A buyer who values a very thin, light portable HDD and documented USB bus power more than a multi-terabyte capacity.
It is not a fit for a buyer who needs more than 500GB, a documented rugged rating, active bundled backup software, or a current exact Amazon offer.
Pros & cons
What could work for you, and what to consider before buying.
What works in its favor
- The official product page maps the exact silver model HD-PUS500U3-S to a 500GB portable HDD.
- The 8.8mm aluminum body and approximately 140g listed weight help explain its slim carry profile.
- USB bus power and a USB 3.0 cable that supports USB 2.0 connections reduce the need to plan around a separate drive adapter.
What to weigh up
- 500GB provides less room than the 1TB and multi-terabyte choices in this comparison.
- The official page's TurboPC and security-software descriptions are product-era details, not evidence of present downloads or support.
- Current seller package, individual-unit condition and the historical Amazon ASIN mapping remain unknown.
Specifications and exact model details
The key details
| Model covered | HD-PUS500U3-S |
|---|---|
| Advertised capacity | 500GB nominal capacity |
| Drive configuration | Portable HDD; 8.8mm aluminum body; about 140g |
| Host connection | USB 3.0 with USB 2.0 cable compatibility; USB bus-powered |
Performance figures are manufacturer claims. Source checked October 14, 2026. Regional models and included accessories can differ.
Full review: how the features affect your choice
What the features mean for you
A genuinely slim portable shape
Buffalo identifies the MiniStation Slim as an 8.8mm portable HDD with an aluminum body. The listed body dimensions are 79 by 8.8 by 115mm and its weight is about 140g without the cable. That makes the physical tradeoff easy to understand: it is designed to take little bag space, while still using a mechanical drive and offering 500GB nominal capacity. Do not transfer features from the thicker MiniStation Plus; the Plus is a different product line and model number. The Slim's contribution is its narrow, light construction, not a claimed shock rating. ([Buffalo product page](https://www.buffalo.jp/product/detail/hd-pus500u3-s.html), checked 2026-10-14.)
USB power changes what you pack
Buffalo says this configuration draws power from a computer's USB port and does not need a separate AC adapter for that use. The official page lists a 50cm USB 3.0 cable and says it can connect through USB 2.0. That can simplify a portable setup: one data-and-power cable is the documented arrangement, rather than a separate supply. It does not guarantee that every hub, low-power port or cable will behave the same, so test the actual host and unit before depending on it. A no-outlet answer is justified by the model page's bus-power statement, not by the drive's portable shape alone. ([Buffalo product page](https://www.buffalo.jp/product/detail/hd-pus500u3-s.html), checked 2026-10-14.)
A 500GB ceiling is still a real tradeoff
The listed 500GB is nominal capacity; formatting and files already on a used drive reduce the room available to the buyer. That may be enough for a modest work archive or a travel copy, but it is below the 750GB and 1TB choices in the shortlist and far below the desktop 4TB drives. The Slim is therefore best compared against other small portable drives, not as a substitute for an archive that needs several terabytes. Its thin body changes how it fits in a bag; it does not expand the space available for multiple backup generations.
USB version and software-era claims
The page identifies a USB 3.0 model and a cable compatible with USB 2.0. It also advertises TurboPC EX2 and other utilities, but these are dated product-era features, including descriptions tied to older Windows releases. Do not assume that an old software bundle can be downloaded or used on a current operating system. The interface listing is a connection fact, not a measured transfer benchmark. Choose it because the host path and bus-power arrangement match the task, and check current operating-system formatting and support independently.
Who should shortlist it
The MiniStation Slim is a reasonable shortlist option for someone who wants a light, silver USB drive with a documented one-cable power arrangement and can stay within 500GB. Choose a larger reviewed drive if the archive has grown beyond that limit; choose a differently documented rugged model if a specific protection claim is required. Buffalo's page describes television and recorder use, but this profile does not treat that as direct local-media playback by the drive itself. The exact historical Amazon offer and condition of any individual unit remain unverified, so use the tagged model search and inspect seller details.
Compare for your needs
Find the external drive that fits you.
Tell us what matters. We’ll help you weigh the options.
Before you buy
Does the MiniStation Slim need an AC adapter?
Buffalo documents USB bus-powered operation for computer use and says a USB cable is enough in that setup. A particular host, hub or used unit may still need checking.
Is this the same model as MiniStation Plus?
No. The Slim is HD-PUS500U3-S. MiniStation Plus HD-PNT500U3S is a separate product whose features should not be copied to this model.
Does the old TurboPC software establish current support?
No. The product page describes a product-era utility. It does not show that current downloads or operating-system support remain available.
Where can I check the current price?
Use the Amazon link for current offers. Check the exact model, seller, product condition, delivery, and return terms. This page does not display a live price or confirm stock.
Sources and review basis
Sources & review basis
We use the linked product documentation for the features above. Our suitability notes and buying advice are editorial judgments based on those features, not measured performance results.
- Buffalo official MiniStation Slim HD-PUS500U3-S product page ↗ — checked October 14, 2026.
- Buffalo official product page; lines 381–390 identify model, finish and capacity; lines 425–439 describe the 8.8mm aluminum body; lines 499–503 state USB bus power; lines 520–539 list weight, dimensions and cable ↗ — checked October 14, 2026.
Is it the right fit?
Check the exact model and today’s offers on Amazon.