Seagate FreeAgent Pro 750GB Review

Seagate Technology refers to its FreeAgent Pro as not just a desktop hard drive, but a "data mover" capable of giving you both local and remote access to your documents and multimedia files. That implies the functionality of a full-fledged network-attached storage (NAS) device, which is a stretch: The FreeAgent is merely one among today's multitude of external hard disks. But neither is it just another generic entry, thanks to multiple interface choices and bundled software that lets you both back up data and copy it to an online storage account.

With 320GB, 500GB, and 750GB models available, the FreeAgent Pro is the largest and highest-capacity unit in a family of Seagate solutions, including smaller FreeAgent Desktop, coat-pocket FreeAgent Go, and shirt-pocket FreeAgent Go Small USB drives. We tested the top-of-the-line 750GB model, which lists for $339 (though Seagate's Web site links to online merchants selling it for $250 to $290).

If you're looking for a RAID storage setup, you can stop reading, as the FreeAgent Pro holds a single, 7,200-rpm hard disk, with no room for a second drive or later expansion. That said, the vertical-standing drive sports a handsome brushed-metal chassis with tapered ends; its base houses the unit's power connector and -- a neat idea -- modular interface ports. You get both the familiar USB 2.0 (with cable included) and a cutting-edge eSATA connection. Some slightly more expensive models include a 400Mbps FireWire module.

Like practically all existing PCs, our test systems lacked eSATA ports; it would be nice if Seagate supplied an eSATA expansion card and cable, but we admit that most external-drive buyers aren't very interested in getting under the hoods of their machines. If you can take advantage of the eSATA interface, however, don't hesitate -- its theoretical maximum throughput is more than six times that of USB 2.0 (3Gb/sec versus 480Mb/sec).

Setup and Sync

Looking for the FreeAgent Pro's power switch proved challenging until we realized that it comes in the form of a touch-sensitive base. In any event, the device comes to life on its own, powering up automatically once it's connected to a PC. Instead of the typical itsy-bitsy power light, the entire top and front edge of the case glows orange -- it's a nice effect, but you can turn it off if you find it distracting.

Getting the FreeAgent Pro up and running on our Win XP system was a snap. The software isn't included on CD but preloaded on the drive; you're prompted to install it once Windows' plug-and-play function has recognized the drive. The Seagate doesn't come with any documentation save for a concise quick start guide, but that should be more than enough for most people (the curious can download more detailed PDF docs from the company's Web site). Although you can use the FreeAgent Pro with a Mac, the bundled software is Windows-only.

The drive comes with FreeAgent Tools, a utility that performs basic diagnostics and lets you configure a few settings such as a power-saving mode. FreeAgent Tools also provides a System Rollback feature that can take regular snapshots of your configuration, to which you can revert in case your system goes haywire. Windows' built-in System Restore does the same thing, but Seagate's software gives you the option of creating automatic snapshots more frequently; getting System Restore to do that requires editing the Windows Registry.

Most people who purchase external hard drives do so at least in part for storing data backups. For this job, the FreeAgent Pro includes a full (albeit Seagate-branded) version of Memeo's AutoBackup software. The latter is quite easy to work with, thanks to a simple interface that lets you set up step-by-step backups with minimum grief. AutoBackup lets you quickly select common types of critical data (such as photos, music, Outlook data, or the My Documents folder) for backup. You can also add your own custom folders and include or exclude certain locations and file types.

Once a backup is complete, AutoBackup automatically keeps it up to date or in sync as the original files are changed; the program can be configured to retain multiple versions of files for more restoration flexibility. A one-click restore feature lets you initiate recovery directly from the backup folder even if AutoBackup isn't installed on the system. There's also an option to perform password-protected, encrypted backups, but these can't be restored without AutoBackup.

On the minus side, although you can use AutoBackup to back up a PC's entire hard drive, you can only do a complete restore after reinstalling the operating system; there's no option to boot from a CD to restore a blank drive. AutoBackup lets you store backups on devices other than the FreeAgent Pro, such as other hard drives, flash memory drives, or even an iPod (but the software's only licensed for use on a single system).

Send in the Cloud

Since the FreeAgent isn't an NAS device, it doesn't offer direct remote access, but for the times you want to fetch files from a distance, you can upload them to an online, password-protected Seagate Internet Disk storage account (also run by Memeo) provided with the drive. The Internet Disk site offers an easy-to-use, drag-and-drop interface, but it only works with Internet Explorer, not with Firefox. You can also configure AutoBackup to save backups to your Seagate Internet Disk account.

Entering your product key when you sign up gets you a free account with 500MB of virtual storage, but it lasts only six months -- to maintain the account after that costs $2.95 monthly or $29.95 annually. If you want more online storage, you can get 1GB for $49.95 or 5GB for $119.95 per year. The FreeAgent Pro's software will also let you upload digital photos to Shutterfly, but those using Flickr or other services are out of luck.

We'd have preferred that the Seagate come with a permanently free online account, even if it had lower capacity. Nevertheless, with acres of storage room, multiple interface choices including eSATA, and an affordable price, the FreeAgent Pro should keep most backer-uppers satisfied.

Adapted from SmallBusinessComputing.com.