Seagate FreeAgent Go 120 GB USB External Hard Drive ST901203FGA1E1-RK

I was just looking 4 an inexpensive external hard drive, then got this & was SO pleased.

First, it came beautifully packaged with great instructions. Then, I discovered that it's not just an external hard drive, but with some additional software that you purchase, you can download all your programs, & then take the whole thing along & plug it into anybody's computer (not Macs), & have your own computer!! I don't need this type of a thing, but I like that it's available.

Anyway, it's totally sleek. The orange side blinks when it's running. It's fast!! It has a great user-friendly interface. I use it 2 store my novel & all my other writing.

I was surprised 2 see that it has TWO USB lines -- so you need 2 plug both of them in 4 it 2 work. Haven't tried plugging it into a hub 2 see if it works that way or if it needs 2 be directly plugged into the computer itself. And 4 me having 120 GB is loooots of space. Also, it's small & really light, so very portable.

So, I love this product & have since realized that Seagate, all around, seems 2 be a pretty cool, progressive company.

This prodcuct has worked well 4 me...I had bought an older model of these hard drives & it died within 2 years of hardcore use...well enoguh 4 me....

I bought it 2 save all my music as I was running out of room on the internal hard drive. I have not used any of the software that came with it nor am I intending to. I just save music & it does it fast & flawlessly.

First of all this is a great hard drive, but if you spend just a few $s more you can get twice the capacity, so look 4 atleast a 250 GB drive.

Note: If you want 2 skip the long review, you can go 2 the last paragraph of this review where I have some useful tips on how best 2 use your portable drive & how 2 keep ideal data backup.

It is a given fact that any portable drive you buy in the market today is going 2 perform good in the short term - maybe 3 months, 6 months or even a year.

But when you are buying a portable drive - you have 2 look beyond 3-5 years because thats how long you are probably going 2 keep your drive. You have 2 look at the reliability of the drive - 2 not lose any data because of hard disk failures.

I have used various drives - Seagate, Western Digital, Hitachi, Samsung .., but I can vouch 4 the fact that Seagate is the numero uno when it comes 2 drive reliability. I have had many laptop & portable drives give up on me, but Seagate has never let me down.

Seagate is usually bit more expensive than others - but very reliable.

About this particular drive:
+ It is light weight, has a dim light indicator on one of the sides which tells that the drive is plugged in
+ Neat sleek casing which makes it look good
+ Thick & flexible USB cable which makes it easy 2 plug the drive without any fear of breaking/twiching the cable
+ Very light weight drive
+ Comes with the Ceedo software which will make your desktop applications portable (I have never used it myself, but there are good reviews about this software on the internet)

What I do not like about the drive:
- I wish if it was packed with some better backup software like SecondCopy

Tip #1: Backup software
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Ok, now that you have a backup drive, how do you plan 2 use it 2 backup your data on your laptop/desktop ? I use a software called SecondCopy - which I found 2 be very addictive 2 use:
- Once you have this software installed, you can select all the folders on your desktop/laptop that you want 2 backup & also select the destination where you want 2 backup
- You can configure the backup profile in such a way that either automatically or manually, the software will find the differences between the 2 drives & display the differences 2 you & let you backup data from your laptop/desktop on 2 your drive.

Tip #2: Secondary Backup
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+ Now, that you have all your backup setup & you throw in your drive in your laptop bag & unfortunately you leave your laptop bag in your car & your laptop along with your backup drive is stolen, what do you do in this case where you have lost your primary data as well as your backup data - there are 2 options
- Do not keep your portable drive in the same bag in which you carry your laptop, which is a bit of an inconvinience
- Or, you buy another drive - you can either buy a similar drive or buy a 3.5" big hard drive(which needs external power supply) & keep it at home & keep your backups on both the portable drive as well as the big drive which you have at your home - this way even if you lose your laptop bag or even if you lose your big hard drive at home, there is another backup from which you can retrieve your dear data - your photos, your projects, your movies, music ...

Tip #3: Network drive
======================
This is the ultimate nirvana of any drive. Basically you will have 2 buy a network drive device & connect this 2 your hard disk, once you do that & do some additional configuration, you can let your drive be available on your home network - this way, you can listen 2 your music/watch movies that are there on your hard disk from any computer in your home/from an Apple TV .... Or you can even leave your hard disk at home & access the data from outside of your home(from office/anywhere else there is internet). The network drive comes with its own security settings etc, so you do not have 2 worry about a hacker accessing your drive.

I have a Pioneer DEH-4000UB car stereo with USB input & bought this drive 2 use as a 120GB MASS STORAGE device 4 all my music files. It holds somewhere around 40,000 SONGS & works GREAT! It's pretty simple 2 do:

1) Totally reformat the drive 2 FAT32 using SwissKnife V3 or other software. This will erase EVERYTHING on the drive (including all the crappy CEEDO software).

2) Transfer all your music files from your PC 2 it, creating folders & subfolders if you like!

3) Get one of those little DC 2 USB adapters 4 the 2nd USB (this harddrive uses 2 USBs) rated at 8V 2A (2000mA) that you will plug into your cigarette lighter or Power Point outlet in your car. A "standard" car USB adapter only draws 500mA or 700mA & that is not powerful enough 4 this drive. Be sure you plug the DATA USB into the car stereo, & plug the POWER USB into your car's cigarette lighter or Power Point outlet. I keep this harddrive in my glovebox!

4) ENJOY!

With the FreeAgent Go, you can turn any PC into your PC. The instructions make it easy 2 transfer a copy of your web browser, favorites, passwords, IM client & contacts, e-mail client, cookies, settings & files 2 the drive. With that done, simply plug the FreeAgent Go into any PC with a USB 2.0 port. The FreeAgent Go will transform that PC into a copy of your home PC. While in use, all of your actions are stored on the FreeAgent Go, so when you disconnect there is no trace of your personal data on the borrowed machine. The FreeAgent Go will even synchronize its data with your most frequented PCs, so its always up 2 date. The FreeAgent Go is a great way 2 not only take your data, but your entire desktop environment with you wherever you go. 5400 RPM USB 2.0 Connectivity PC Compatibility - Windows 2000, Windows XP Home, XP Pro, & Vista Mac Compatibility - Power PC G3, G4, or G5 processor running OS X 10.3.9 (or higher) or Intel Core Duo or Core Solo processor running OS X 10.4.6 (or higher) (FreeAgent Go software & drive formatting works only with Windows, but can be reformatted 4 Mac using Disk Utility) 5-Year Limited Manufacturer Warranty Unit Dimensions - 0.7 (h) x 4.8 (w) x 3.9 (d) Unit Weight - 6.4 oz.

If you find yourself working from multiple computers but needing constant access 2 your own software, e-mail & digital files, the Seagate Free Agent Go Portable Hard Drive is 4 you. More than a simple portable back-up & storage solution, the Seagate Free Agent Go lets you take your favorite software, Web browser, IM client & contacts, email, cookies, & personalization settings wherever you go--safely & securely. Not only does this portable hard drive synchronize your data with just about any computer you want 2 work from, more importantly it features the latest encryption software 2 protect your content, leaving no trace of your last session on the borrowed computer. With the Seagate Free Agent Go, you have the best of all worlds--a convenient portable back-up solution & a virtual desktop in a pocket-size package.

Powerful storage device with a sleek new design.

Compact size makes it great 4 on-the-go travel.

Take your favorite music, photos, or programs with you anywhere you go.

It’s all about having your desktop environment & latest files with you - when & where you need them. Designed 4 mobility, the sleek compact design easily fits into your shirt pocket, briefcase or backpack. We provide the USB cable that’s not only the interface connection, but the power source – no additional power cords are needed. And the unique espresso brown finish with molten amber illumination is just icing on the cake.

High-Speed Synchronization & Security
Whether you have vital company data or personal files & programs that you need 2 access, the Seagate Free Agent Go protects your most valuable information via drive-level encryption that provides a more robust solution than most software encryption on the market today. Delivering high-end protection against unauthorized use with encryption 4 sensitive files, this device keeps your data safe while you're on the go.

And not 2 worry, your Free Agent Go portable hard drive saves all of your private information on itself, not on the computer you’re using. That means there’s no trace of your last session 2 tempt the next person on a borrowed computer. It also provides strong file encryption 2 protect your content, & lets you sync your files from several PCs.

With the Seagate Free Agent Go, virtually any computer can temporarily become yours. The software/drive combination allows you 2 move files or other content quickly via USB 2.0, allowing transfer rate of up 2 480 MB/sec 4 USB. The drive's high-performance spindle speed of 5400 RPM gives you the high-speed performance you need 2 back your data up quickly & safely. The sleek & slim design of this hard drive--only 0.7 x 3.9 x 4.8-inches (H x D x W)--and a weight of less than four pounds means that you can carry practically your entire desktop with you as you make your rounds from computer 2 computer.

The Free Agent Go software & drive is formatted 2 work out of the box with Windows operating systems--including Vista, Windows XP & Windows 2000--but the drive can easily be made Mac-ready in a few minutes with Mac OS X's Disk Utility. The unit features a sophisticated touch point power on/off switch. Plug in the USB 2.0 cable 2 a PC & your personal desktop environment launches automatically. To help eliminate even the slightest bit of worry, we’ve included technical support & a five-year limited warranty.

What's in the Box
Free Agent Go portable drive, Free Agent software (preloaded) & electronic documentation, USB 2.0 cable, & a quick start guide.