Let me start by saying this little gadget has become my digital bodyguard. The first time I held the Apricorn Aegis Secure Key, its weighty, rubberized exterior screamed 'I mean business' – no flimsy plastic here. Setting up my PIN felt like programming a missile launch code (but way simpler).

The hardware encryption is what sold me. Watching that keypad light up as I type my combo gives me Jason Bourne-level confidence. I once left it in a coffee shop (oops), but knowing my client contracts were locked behind military-grade encryption let me breathe easy until retrieval.

Speed surprised me – transferring 10GB of marketing footage via USB 3.0 took less time than brewing my pour-over coffee. Though fair warning: this thing doubles as a hand warmer after prolonged use. I've made it a habit to unplug during lunch breaks when working from cafes.

Cross-platform compatibility has been flawless switching between my MacBook Pro and Windows work PC. The tactile buttons are satisfying to press – there's something oddly reassuring about physical security in our touchscreen world.

After six months of daily use (including surviving three drops from my backpack), the Aegis shows zero wear beyond some scuffs on the metal keyring loop. At this point, I trust it more than some cloud services with sensitive documents.