Seagate Free Agent: Portable and Desktop External Hard Drives
Seagate Free Agent GoFlex Desk
If you’re considering one of the Seagate Free Agent external hard drives, you’re in good company.
Click Here to Get a Great Deal on a Seagate Free Agent Drive
The FreeAgent series offers both portable and desktop versions in capacities ranging from 320 GB to 4 TB. The drives are “customizable” which means you can add higher speeds and other features by purchasing the appropriate upgrades.
The newer models available as of this writing are shown in the table below:
| Seagate FreeAgent Models | ||||
| Drive | Capacity | Interface | Dimensions | Weight |
| GoFlex Ultra-Portable | 320 GB 500 GB | USB 2.0/3.0 | 3.27”W x 4.33”H x 0.59”D | 0.33 Pounds |
| 750 GB – 1.5 TB | USB 2.0/3.0 | 3.51”W x 4.71”H x 0.87″D | 0.62 Pounds | |
| GoFlex Pro | 500 GB – 750 GB | USB 2.0/3.0 | 3.23”W x 4.14”H x 0.55”D | 0.34 Pounds |
| GoFlex Desk | 1 TB | USB 2.0/3.0 | 4.88”W x 6.22”H x 1.73”D | 2.38 Pounds |
All the drives are virtually plug-n-play. A simple and easy wizard guides you through the installation process. They also have an energy-saving feature that powers the drive down automatically when not in use, although you can disable it if it powers down too quickly.
The ultra-portable drives come with 18” USB cables, while the desktop version comes with 4’ (USB 2.0) and 5’ (USB 3.0) cables.
Exploring the Seagate Free Agent Models
GoFlex Ultra-Portable
The GoFlex Ultra-Portable is, as the name says, a portable drive that allows you to take your files with you when you’re “on the go”. It’s available in a variety of colors and capacities and comes with its own backup software. It features automatic continuous backup and encryption, both of which are managed with the Seagate Dashboard tool.
An upgrade kit is required if you want to use the drive with FireWire 800 or eSATA. Other add-ons include the GoFlex Media Sharing Device (which allows you to remotely access your files over the Internet) and the GoFlex TV HD media player (which allows you to view digital pictures and movies on your TV).
The drive is compatible with Windows or Mac PCs. To use with a Mac, you need to install an NTFS driver on your computer. This allows you to read and write files to the drive in a PC compatible format.
You also have the option of buying the drive standalone, without cables. You still get the backup and encryption software and the NTFS driver.
The drive comes with a 2-year limited warranty.
Model #s:
Kits
Seagate FreeAgent GoFlex 320 GB USB 2.0 Ultra-Portable External Hard Drive
- STAA320100 – Black
- STAA320101 – Silver
Seagate FreeAgent GoFlex 500 GB USB 2.0 Ultra-Portable External Hard Drive
- STAA500100 – Black
- STAA500101 – Silver
- STAA500102 – Blue
- STAA500103 – Red
Seagate FreeAgent GoFlex 750 GB USB 2.0 Ultra-Portable External Hard Drive
- STAA750100 – Black
Seagate FreeAgent GoFlex 1 TB USB 2.0 Portable External Hard Drive
- STAA1000100 – Black
Seagate FreeAgent GoFlex 500 GB USB 3.0 Ultra-Portable External Hard Drive
- STAA500105 – Black
- STAA500106 – Silver
- STAA500107 – Blue
- STAA500108 – Red
Seagate FreeAgent GoFlex 750 GB USB 3.0 Ultra-Portable External Hard Drive
- STAA750101 – Black
Seagate FreeAgent GoFlex 1 TB USB 3.0 Ultra-Portable External Hard Drive
- STAA1000101 – Black
- STAA1000104 – Silver
- STAA1000102 – Blue
Seagate FreeAgent GoFlex 1.5 TB USB 3.0 Ultra-Portable External Hard Drive
- STAA1500100 – Black
Standalone Drive Only
Seagate 320GB FreeAgent GoFlex*
- STAB320500
500GB Black Freeagent Goflex Ultra-portable Drive – Drive Only
- STAB500500
Seagate 750GB FreeAgent GoFlex*
- STAB750500
Seagate 1.0TB FreeAgent GoFlex
- STAB1000500
*Not available by model number at Amazon
GoFlex Pro Ultra-Portable
The GoFlex Pro Ultra-Portable shares the baseline features of the standard GoFlex Ultra-Portable, but has some added benefits:
- Intelligent Dock
- Folder Sync Software
- Premium Backup Software
- 3 year warranty
It runs at 7200 RPM, making it faster than the standard GoFlex, given you have the proper cable upgrade. The drive comes in black only.
Kits
Seagate FreeAgent GoFlex Pro 500 GB USB 2.0 Ultra-Portable External Hard Drive
- STAD500101
Seagate FreeAgent GoFlex Pro 750 GB USB 2.0 Ultra-Portable External Hard Drive
- STAD750101
Seagate FreeAgent GoFlex Pro 750 GB USB 3.0 Ultra-Portable External Hard Drive
- STAD750102
Seagate FreeAgent GoFlex Pro 750 GB USB 3.0 Ultra-Portable External Hard Drive
- STAD750102
Standalone Drive Only
Seagate FreeAgent GoFlex Pro 500 GB USB 2.0 Portable External Hard Drive with Module
- STAD500400
Seagate FreeAgent GoFlex Pro 750 GB USB 2.0 Portable External Hard Drive with Module
- STAD750400
GoFlex Desk
The GoFlex Desk external hard drive has the highest capacity of the 3 drives profiled here (up to 4 TB). It’s not as upgradable as the portable drives, but if capacity is what you’re looking for, the GoFlex certainly delivers.
This drive supports USB 2.0/3.0 and offers automatic continuous backup, encryption, and the Seagate Dashboard software. The base has an LED capacity gauge on the base dock that tells you how much room is left on the drive (in 25% increments). You can position the drive either horizontally or vertically, depending on how much room you have on your desktop.
Some people complain that the drive’s hum is a bit noisy when operational.
This drive also comes with a 2-year limited warranty and in black only.
Kits
Seagate 500 GB USB 2.0 External Hard Drive
- STAC500100
Seagate FreeAgent GoFlex Desk 1 TB USB 2.0 External Hard Drive
- STAC1000100
Seagate FreeAgent GoFlex Desk 2 TB USB 2.0 External Hard Drive
- STAC2000100
Seagate FreeAgent GoFlex Desk 3 TB USB 2.0 External Hard Drive
- STAC3000100
Seagate FreeAgent GoFlex Desk 1 TB USB 3.0 External Hard Drive
- STAC1000101
Seagate FreeAgent GoFlex Desk 2 TB USB 3.0 External Hard Drive
- STAC2000103
Seagate FreeAgent GoFlex Desk 3 TB USB 3.0 External Hard Drive
- STAC3000102
Standalone Drive Only
Seagate FreeAgent GoFlex Desk 1 TB USB 3.0 External Hard Drive
- STAC1000103
Seagate FreeAgent GoFlex Desk 2 TB USB 3.0 External Hard Drive
- STAC2000106
Seagate FreeAgent GoFlex Desk 3 TB USB 3.0 External Hard Drive
- STAC3000102
Seagate FreeAgent GoFlex Desk 4 TB USB 3.0 External Hard Drive
- STAC4000100
Knowledge Base
If you’re looking for even more information about Seagate Free Agent external drives, you can visit their Knowledge Base here:
Seagate Free Agent Knowledge Base
Conclusion
The Seagate Free Agent external hard drives are a great buy for anyone looking for additional storage.