This price difference is likely due to the extra chips required to translate the drive's native SATA connection to FireWire 800. The powered eSATA cable is the least expensive, while the FireWire 800 cable is the most expensive on its own. The FreeAgent GoFlex Ultra-Portable we received from Seagate came as a bundle with a USB 2.0 adapter cable, but the other adapter cables are available for $15 to $25 each.
The indent for the connector is deeper than a standard SATA cable could reach. The GoFlex connector essentially seems to be a SATA connector, with the same plugs for power and data as on an internal hard drive, though I wouldn't recommend connecting a FreeAgent GoFlex Ultra-Portable directly to your motherboard. Other adapters (like the USB 2.0 adapter) use standard detachable mini-USB to USB cables. Some of the adapters (like the one for FireWire 800) have their respective cables permanently attached. You may plug in different adapter cables for the different external interfaces out there: USB 2.0, USB 3.0, FireWire 800, and eSATA are all options. The drive comes with the USB 2.0 adapter cable standard, but once you pull that adapter off, the drive's GoFlex connector is exposed. These optional adapter cables make the FreeAgent GoFlex one of the most versatile hard drives on the market, and its innovative GoFlex connector system makes it one of the most innovative-If you're a power user, all signs point to buy for this new Editors' Choice.Īt approximately 0.75 by 3.25 by 4.5 inches (HWD), the GoFlex Drive looks like a standard pocket-sized hard drive, and comes in four different colors (silver, black, red, and blue).
The drive can even be equipped with, auto-backup functionality. With optional adapter cables, the hard drive can be connected to USB 2.0, FireWire 800, USB 3.0, or eSATA ports.
Are you a power user who needs to back up several systems with varying interfaces? Then the Seagate FreeAgent GoFlex Ultra-Portable Drive ($99.99 list) is just the hard drive to get the job done.