Seagate FreeAgent GoFlex 500GB USB 2.0 review

The FreeAgent GoFlex, Seagate’s latest portable hard disk, comes with a removable USB2 adapter instead of a fixed USB2 port. This external hard drive can be unplugged and replaced with a range of faster interface adapters – namely eSATA, FireWire 800 or USB3.

We tested the GoFlex over USB2 and USB3 – the USB3 adapter costs an extra £22 from More Computers. Its file transfer speeds over both interfaces were in line with what we’d expect, so it is fast. Interestingly, the adapter port is a modified version of the SATA connector used by internal hard disks.

The FreeAgent GoFlex’s is no more expensive than most standard USB2 hard disks and the removable interface adapters are neat and well implemented. Although the GoFlex is theoretically future-proof, when you want a hard disk with a newer, faster interface you’ll probably want more storage capacity too.

USB3 portable disks, which are backwards compatible with USB2 ports, are available at the same price as the GoFlex and don’t have the added expense of an adapter. Though nicely thought out, this leaves the GoFlex as a bit of an oddity that will only appeal to those who use multiple high-speed interfaces.