GADGET WATCH: Seagate FreeAgent Desk

Portable storage is a must-have these days, especially as the size of everyday files gets bigger and internal storage doesn’t always accommodate your needs. And with limited ability to send large files over the internet, using a portable hard drive eliminates quite a lot of problems.

Seagate is one of the best known brands in the digital storage world, and the FreeAgent series has a number of proponents. But is it the best option?

Hardware and features

The FreeAgent drive weighs about one kilogram, and is shaped with a tapered body, grey panels and a rounded edge on the front. The device features the Seagate logo on the front, with a backlight indicating when the drive is busy and active.

The hard drive measures about 6.9 inches high and 6.8 inches deep, but can be set on a stand vertically to save space. It can be set on top of a computer horizontally as well.

The device features a USB cord (no FireWire or SATA capability) and a power pack as well.

Each drive also comes included with the Seagate management software, which allows users to backup files automatically, sync them and manage security. You can set up encrypted folders if you choose.

What’s the consensus?

With any portable hard drive, the biggest issue facing users is speed. You need to be able to copy over your files as quickly as possible, especially if you’re only using the drive to bring files over to a colleague or friend’s computer.

Thankfully reviewers indicate the drive is as speedy as any of its competitors, with PC World in particular praising a test which required copying 20GB worth of files.

“The Desk managed to average 30.6 megabytes per second in our read test, 27.19MBps in our write test and reached 15.14MBps in our copy/transfer benchmark. These excellent speeds can be attributed to the unit’s drive, which spins at 7200rpm.”

PC Magazine also tested out the included software and found it to be extremely helpful, saying it was intuitive and easy to manage. It praised the various options available, including a simple sync which allows users to just sync up their My Documents folder, or a more complex option which lets you choose all the files you want.

“One of the things I look for in an external drive is whether I can hook it up to a desktop and start using it within 10 minutes, and the Desk passed this test with flying colours,” it states.

ThinkComputers also praised the included software, but noted the lack of any other connections other than USB was a disappointment. “For people who want a little more speed the new FreeAgent XTreme has USB, Firewire and eSATA,” it says.

Reviewers have also criticised the need for a power pack, indicating that other portable hard drives don’t require one at all. Being quite bulky, it also makes it harder to carry the drive around easily.

Who’s it for?

The FreeAgent drive, which is available in sizes up to 1TB, is a worthy addition to a desktop computer. The drive is fast, and the sleek design will make sure it doesn’t stick out on a professional desk environment.

However, due to the need for a power pack it isn’t extremely portable. While the Desk is a good addition to a computer that needs extra space, entrepreneurs who are looking for something more portable should like for something smaller and lighter.