Seagate FreeAgent Pro

The Seagate FreeAgent Pro is an external hard drive. It is sold in 320 GB, 500 GB, 750 GB and 1000 GB sizes. It can be connected to a computer using a USB, FireWire or eSATA cable (non-FireWire-compatible versions are also available).

Pros

The best thing about the Seagate FreeAgent Pro external hard drive is its compatibility. The drive is compatible with both PC and Macs and there are three possible interfaces: IEEE 1394 (FireWire), high-speed USB and eSATA-300. The fastest data transfer speeds can be achieved by using eSATA, but this isn’t an option for many users so it’s nice to be about to “downgrade” to FireWire or USB (both of which is still relatively quick). The 500 GB FreeAgent Pro offers great GB-per-dollar value, selling for as low as $160 at some online retailers.

Cons

The FreeAgent Pro comes with a software bundle, but this is only available for PC users, as the software isn’t compatible with Macs. Additionally, the software installation is slow. However, it’s still worth it to install the software as it allows for the possibility of uploading your files to Seagates’s Internet Drive (the online storage system offered by the company) so that they can be accessed anywhere. The downside to storing files on the Internet Drive is that you may be required to buy more storage space from Seagate (and it may be difficult for computer novices, since it requires fiddling with your router’s ports).

The Gist

The Seagate FreeAgent pro is an excellent option for computer users whose internal hard drives are rapidly filling up with photos, music and movies. It’s also a valuable tool for businesses looking to back up vital files in a save place.