Looking at a device like Seagate’s FreeAgent Go 160 GB makes the average user yawn. Storage? 160GB? Feh. Boring.
But Seagate has some tricks up its sleeve. In affect, the FreeAgent Go is your computer’s environment and personality in the palm of your hand. It’s a storage product that’s focused on always traveling, location-moving, iPod-toting, digital-camera-snapping, video-taping folks. Generally, it’s a device made just for us geeks.
But really it’s a just portable storage unit, right? Yes, busted, but it’s a storage device with major props. The idea here is to take your PC with you. That’s it, the whole computing environment including web favorites, online passwords, settings, software programs, your IM, email contacts, digital music and picture files, any type of data on your PC. Think about this; everywhere we go there is usually a computer so why carry yours around? Bring it half way around the world or across the street to your friend’s house and plug the fully synchronized FreeAgent Go into any Windows USB 2.0 and voila you have your PC. You heard me, the entire contents of your computer, on the drive. .
Understood, you say. And I would do that because…? This not an application to access your PC through the web — this is your PC. So instead of carrying around your laptop you carry the Free Agent Go. Which, becomes in effect your laptop (or desktop) and then you can use any computer and Internet connection as your own, securely. It’s small and weighs only 6 ounces.
So what do you get in the box? You get the nice looking FreeAgent GO mover drive with software and electronic documentation pre-loaded. It even comes with a proprietary USB cable, and the quick start guide (just pictures, really). System requirements are Windows XP Home or Professional edition, or Windows 2000 Pro and you need two open USB ports. It supports OS X, but none of the FreeAgent software works on Macs.
This product has a five year limited warranty which is outstanding and online tech support.
So now, lets test drive this puppy. I unpacked the FreeAgent Go data mover (the main unit) and the USB plug. Note that the USB is a Y type of plug with 2 USB plugs for the computer’s side and one out to the FreeAgent Go data mover. OK, I make that connection and the data mover indicator light goes on, telling me that the handshake is complete. The next thing that happens is the FreeAgent GO page pops up on the computer screen. Very intuitive, in a moment I install the FreeAgent tools and at that point I’m good to go it’s as easy as using an iPod. Now, can I please use your computer?
A few minutes later I am a data carrying data moving free agent. Desk bound no more; I am free to roam the world annoying other people by constantly asking to use their computer. The good news for me is that it’s a big world, leaving me plenty of people to annoy err… ask. By the way, does anyone out there want to buy my laptop?
Good review. I’m glad to hear that Seagate is stepping up their game in the portable hard drive competition.
hey i lost all softwares in FreeAgent Go. i dont know how it happened. i need that FreeAgent Go software and ceedo software too which came with my FreeAgent Go . so how can i get that please any budy help me.
i like this review coz i like seagate and they are coming up with new things thats a good sign for busy lifes any way i gald to be with seagate
Simplistic bare review for this new line of external hard drives.
No time ? People, do GOOGLE search and find a complete reveiew.
Was this a review, or an advertisement? Three quarters of the “review” was marketing speak about how this device will turn you into a mobile warrior, and by the end we get almost no details of the actual device or how it compares to others…
Did the reviewer try the hardware on another computer or just assume it worked?
Does the reviewer work for Seagate by any chance?
Here is a real review: http://gizmodo.com/gadgets/should-you-sign-this-freeagent%3F/seagate-freeagent-pro-portable-hard-drive-review-and-gallery-258350.php
It’s small, lightweight and quiet but feels surprisingly sturdy. It looks great and the yellow glow is nice, but if it’s not for you, you can always turn it off. The read/write speed is average, so there’s nothing to complain about there (you can scope out the benchmarks in the gallery). Apps run from the drive generally lag-free.
If you want to run a program from the drive not on Ceedo’s list, it requires the Argo add-on, which is $20. This is made more frustrating by the fact that their site contains out-of-date applications—I want to run Thunderbird 2.0, not 1.5. Installing programs could be more elegant and intuitive. Also, virtualization doesn’t work for Macs. Plus, we’d like (but admittedly don’t need) a Firewire port.
Bottom line: If you’re want a portable, external hard drive that’ll turn heads and run reliably to cart stuff around and don’t might paying a little bit extra, in terms of $ to GB, this isn’t a bad a way to go. Running programs from the drive also works well for the most part, though it could (and should) be improved.
– Matt Buchanan
This is review contains nothing but advertising nonsense. I hope you didn’t waste yout time by reading it all the way through (like I did).
Read a real review here:
http://crunchgear.com/2007/04/03/seagate-freeagent-go-160gb-hands-on/
The previous comment contains nothing but ridiculous nonsense. I hope you didn’t waste yout time by reading it all the way through (like I did).
Read a real comment here:
http://crunchgear.com/2007/04/03/seagate-freeagent-go-160gb-hands-on/#comment-225119
Just the review I was looking for. Well, it answered my main questions.
And now for the details… speed relative to a desk top; why the Go over the FreeAgent 250 GB which holds more, costs less and has the added firewire option…
Anybody?
This drive totally sucks!
Don’t delete the ceedo crap that comes with it or you are in deep dodo!