Seagate FreeAgent Go

Discontinued

Reviewed

October 2009

Pros

Reputation for reliability
Versions for both Mac and Windows
Low cost per gigabyte
Small and light

Cons

Slower than most desktop drives

Where to Buy

for $89.99

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The Seagate FreeAgent Go is a portable hard drive that doesn't need an external power source; it's powered through your computer's USB port. Professional reviewers recommend the FreeAgent Go more often than any other external hard drive, and user reviews say this drive performs reliably over the long haul.

The Seagate FreeAgent Go comes in separate versions for Windows and Mac. The USB-only Windows version includes good backup software, reviews say, and it comes in 250 GB (*Est. $70), 320 GB, 500 GB and 640 GB capacities. A USB version for Mac comes in the same sizes -- 250 GB, 320 GB, 500 GB and 640 GB. The Mac version lacks backup software, although it's compatible with Apple's Time Machine backup software. A Seagate FreeAgent Go Pro for Mac version is offered only in the 500 GB size, but it adds FireWire 400 and 800 ports, as well as a dock that's optional with the USB-only models. Experts say the dock makes it easy to connect your FreeAgent Go to your computer, without having to fiddle with cords.

The Seagate FreeAgent Go has been on the market for a few years, and many review sources pick it as a top product. However, most of those sources tested the FreeAgent Go a couple of years ago. Experts at TomsHardware.com and ConsumerReports.org test the most current model of the FreeAgent Go, and we found plenty of recent owner reviews at Amazon.com. There are fewer reviews at Newegg.com, but the pattern of satisfaction is similar.

Where To Buy

Seagate FreeAgent Go 250 GB USB 2.0 Portable External Hard Drive ST902503FGA2E1-RK (Silver)

(921 reviews)
Buy new: $74.99 8 Used & new from $57.79

In Stock.

Our Sources

1. TomsHardware.com

The Seagate FreeAgent Go ranks as one of the best portable hard drives in this six-drive test. The reviewers particularly like the optional dock.

Review: Roundup: Hand-Held Hard Drives With Up To 500 GB, Patrick Schmid and Achim Roos, May 15, 2009

2. ConsumerReports.orgDetails/Subscribe

ConsumerReports.org tests a few portable hard drives, including then Seagate FreeAgent Go. Testers concentrate on the drives' ease of use.

Review: Computer Backup Systems, Editors of ConsumerReports.org

3. Amazon.com

In more than 800 user reviews, the average rating for the FreeAgent Go is 4 stars out of 5. The vast majority of owners say that the drive does its job reliably.

Review: Seagate FreeAgent Go 250 GB USB 2.0 Portable External Hard Drive ST902503FGA2E1-RK (Silver), Contributors to Amazon.com

4. NewEgg.com

Newegg.com offers reviews of the Seagate FreeAgent Go in multiple capacities and versions. Some receive no (or only a few) ratings, while others pull in scores. In most cases, a pattern of satisfaction emerges, with all but a handful garnering a 4- or 5-star rating.

Review: Seagate FreeAgent Go Reviews, Contributors to Newegg.com

Iomega eGo Desktop USB 3.0 *Est. $110 for 1TB

6 picks by top review sites.

Western Digital My Book Studio II *Est. $180 (2 TB)

4 picks including: Amazon.com, Anandtech.com…

Seagate GoFlex Slim *Est. $80 for 320GB

4 picks by top review sites.

Clickfree C2 *Est. $95 for 1 TB

4 picks by top review sites.

Seagate FreeAgent GoFlex Desk *Est. $70 for 1TB

3 picks by top review sites.