Seagate FreeAgent GoFlex Desk (2TB, USB 2.0)

Pros: The Replica software works well and totally in the background. It's quiet and shuts down properly. Will back up multiple computers without paying extra.

Cons: Doesn't back up network drives. I don't know if it will back up a mapped drive or not. I plan to test that later.

Replica software installs automatically (it can be uninstalled but it really SHOULD ask first.)

Summary: The actual product I bought is the STAC2000101. This comes with the Replica backup software. That program doesn't bug you about upgrades. If you buy this drive, in any size or configuration, make sure you get it with Replica, not Memeo. The Replica program will allow you to back up multiple computers. You can even browse another computer's back up and copy files from it. It's an alternate and slightly more secure (but slower) method of transferring files vs. sharing files and folders on your network. The backup sets can also be password protected so the device can be shared but your files would still be private (need the password to browse or restore.)

The drive is quiet, and shuts down properly when the computer is powered down. I tested it on Vista 64 bit and Windows 7 64 bit computers. It also runs cool. I wonder if the reviewer who complained about the heat (the one that actually HAS the device) forgot to remove the plastic film that protects the drive's finish.

The software installs silently and starts backing up on its own. You can opt to not use the Replica software by uninstalling it after it installs and removing the program's folders from the drive. ANY drive you install on your computer will not show 2 TB of space unless the drive is MORE than 2 TB, because of the way Windows reports disk space. However you can recover some of that 200 MB by removing the Software and drivers.

You can also use the drive as a normal drive by storing files on it. Just make a separate folder from Windows Explorer (or Finder.) Keep in mind that files you store directly on the drive are NOT replicated. The best way to protect files is to keep them in more than one place.

In general, I found none of the negative issues reported here. If I had, the drive would have gone right back. Perhaps it's because I got a slightly different model (STAC2000101 vs STAC2000100.) If there were firmware issues, they are definitely fixed.

After reading back this review I realize that some may think I am affiliated with Seagate in some way. I assure you that is NOT the case. I started using this product fully expecting to encounter some if not all of the reported issues, and prepared to return it if necessary. However that has not happened to date.