Seagate FreeAgent Pro USB/eSATA/FireWire external hard drive user reviews (500GB)

Pros Esata is 5x faster than USB- Quiet HeatSink

Cons Cant turn off light or use utilities for Vista 64bit

Summary I purchased 2 of these 750GB Esata drives at Best Buy for $199 each. I have had drives in the past, but these have a 5 year warrenty, and are quiet as thye use a heat sink. In addition I am getting a 182mb p/s with esata vs a 20mb p/s burst rate via USB. So backups and Media copies are FAST!

The bad news is that I have contacted Seagate and they have no way to use the Drive Utilities for 64bit OS's. I cant disable the lights, or adjust the sleep state unless I hook the drive up to a non 64 bit OS. But once the power is lost, the settings revert back. This is the only downside.

Pros Looks nice

Cons This unit failed to back up all my files. After restoring my PC to original factory state (all my files were wiped out); Seagate restore failed to backup my pictures. Thank god for DVD backup I had.

Summary This unit's first problem was that it would not turn off. It is supposed to turn off and on when the computer does, however, my Seagate turned itself back on immediately after the computer was shut down. Seagate support had all sorts of different reasons for this, including instructions to rub the underside of the unit. Main problem was that the full backup did not work. I did a spot check of my files in the Seagate after a full backup and everything appeared to be there, however, when I actually did re format my computer, I could not find the picture files anywhere on the Seagate backup. Thank God I had a 2nd backup on DVD. This unit is unreliable and does not power down with the computer as stated in the minimal user instructions. Also, Seagate support was not good as everytime I told an agent that I could not find the pictures, they hung up on me. I am returning this unit to the store and buying another brand.

Pros I don't have any except maybe that it looks cool when it is working.

Cons 1) Very quirky 2) Unreliable 3) Backup software included but only a trial version 4) Seagate's customer service

Summary Let me start by saying I sell enterprise storage and backup solutions for a living...i.e NetApp,EMC, HDS, etc.

I purchased this to provide backup and additional storage for my home system. The backup software is included but it's only a trial version...something Seagate does not clearly state ANYWHERE! So, if you plan on using it to run backups you better budget another $30 into the cost.

The drive has been quirky from the beginning. It would be on but would stop showing to my computer so I had to constantly restart it by powering off and back on...1-3 times monthly. Finally, within the first year it completely failed and will not power up. While it is under warranty, it is exchange only. Seagate, in their infinite wisdom states (a true response from Seagate!):
- It may be returned for exchange. You will not receive your original drive in return.
- Please back up all data before returning the drive

Are you kidding? If I need the warranty isn't there a better than average chance the drive is broken and not responding? How do you propose I backup my broken backup drive? You would think Seagate is new to the disk industry with a stupid request like that!!

I would take a look at Hitachi or Western Digital before EVER buying a Seagate for home use again! If I buy a disk for backup I do not need it to fail like these seem to be doing all over the country.

Pros lightweight and easy to throw

Cons it overheats!

Summary I bought this external hard drive less than a year ago and the other day when I plugged it in I came to the cold realization that it had overheated. There is a known problem with the design of the product and Seagate refuses to acknowledge it or take responsability. This is a serious issue and I need help finding resolve.