Seagate FreeAgent Go portable hard drive

Cool Yule Rating: 4 stars

To continue reading, register here and become an Insider. You'll get free access to premium content from CIO, Computerworld, CSO, InfoWorld, and Network World. See more Insider content or sign in.

Cool Yule Rating: 4 stars

Price: $199.99 (for 500 GB model)

Product Web site

Description: Like most of the portable drives we saw this year submitted for the gift guide, the FreeAgent Go is small, extremely portable, has a nice design and style, and operates via USB without the need for an additional power supply (in most cases). The drive comes in four available colors (silver, black, blue and red), although color options may vary depending on capacity (500GB is only available in silver and black at the moment).

Automatic backup software is included, as well as encryption software to protect any sensitive data files for when you're mobile. The drive also supports the FreeAgent Go Dock (about $25, sold separately, pictured), a USB-powered docking station. Users can plug the Dock into a desktop at work, for example, and then undock the FreeAgent Go drive to use on a second computer at home, etc. Even notebook users who connect to a docking station at work (for monitor, keyboard and network connectivity) will appreciate not having to fumble with cables and looking for an open port to connect the drive to – it's just easier to pop the drive into the Go Dock.

View complete list of storage, big and small products | View slideshow

Read more about wireless & mobile in Network World's Wireless & Mobile section.