seagate ext. hard drives - which of these 2?

ih8stress

I'm after a seagate external hard drive and seen these two at Argos (not necessarily where I will be buying them from):

http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/6758617/Trail/searchtext%3ESEAGATE+EXTERNAL+DRIVE.htm

http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/6756987/Trail/searchtext%3ESEAGATE+EXTERNAL+DRIVE.htm

Can someone please explain, simply:), what/if there is any difference in them, apart from how they stand?

(I know I can get a 1tb one for an extra £5, I am just comparing like for like).

Many thanks:D

el_gringo_3

Well the second one looks as if it will be a lot quieter - the standing design means the heat will dissapate easier and thus require a smaller/slower fan than the cheaper one.

It'll also as a result be slightly cheaper in running costs.

Although the biggest thing about the price difference is that, if you check the disclaimer, your actually buying a Generic non branded item for the first one - It might not neccesarily be the one pictured. The more expensive one will be exactly as advertised and you'll definately qualify for the manufacturers 5 year guarentee (not sure if Seagate include their gaurentee with the OEM stuff)

Oscar_The_Grouch

They both seem to be working at the same speed (as is the 1Tb one - found that out on Play.com), so that's not the problem. The more expensive one has a 5 year warranty where the other one is 2 years on Play.com, so that could be it.

Buy the cheap one, see what you think and take it back if you don't like it!!

ih8stress

Thanks for the replies.

el gringo: I hadn't spotted the disclaimer, thank you for pointing this out to me.

oscar the grouch: thank you for checking the speeds and guarantees. So, technically they are the same?
I can get the second one for just £56.61 (without a free flash pen). It's just a question as
to how good the extra 3 years guarantee really is?

siskyline

Not to throw a spanner in the works xD

I own 4 of the first seagate drive (also they do not have fans, noise level is only of the disk)
each in differant disk sizes, I have 2x 500gb, 1x 1tb and 1x 1.5tb. I shopped at Maplin for mine as they had a offer on the 500gb ones for £50.00, liked it and thought the others where good value too.

I was told by a random Maplin employee that these like to break the solder joints when being moved around alot and tryed to sell me a carry case, I don't belive it to be a problem and if it is I doubt the carry case would help much. Plus the break is on the case and not the disk inside so you could still take it apart and not lose your information.

Hope I have helped a little

ih8stress

Anyone know much about the pre-installed windows software on the second (freeagent) model, please?

For example does it do image back-ups so I can do a full system back-up? Would any restore done work in DOS mode (don't fully understand this part but was recommended to ask this on another thread).

Finally, I understand that Maxblast and Seagate DiscWizard (cut down versions of True Image software?) are available as free downloads and will work if I have a Maxtor or Seagate drive external drive. So would I be just as well to get the first (cheaper) drive and download the maxblast or discwizard?

Many thanks.

closed

maxblast will work with any seagate drive, but see the unusual caveat on the argos website, that if you order this, you could get anything. (it's cheaper elsewhere anyway).

spike7451

I have the first one you posted & it's brilliant!Very quick with the software already built it.Handy for me as when I go away with the TA,I have loads of music,movies & TV shows saved onto it.
Also got a free Belkin carry case with it from Argos!

ih8stress

closed wrote: »

maxblast will work with any seagate drive, but see the unusual caveat on the argos website, that if you order this, you could get anything. (it's cheaper elsewhere anyway).

closed: I did say in my first post that I may not necessarily get it from Argos. (I wanted to ascertain which of the two models to go for before shopping round:D)
El Gringo also pointed out the Argos disclaimer.

Thank you for confirming that it is cheaper elsewhere.:)

I have seen them at PCWorld for:

First one £48.90
Second one £56.61

Of course these don't include the 'free flash pens' that Argos are doing but the reviews for these aren't great anyway.

Anyone know of any better deals about currently?

It looks like the first one is winning in the popularity stakes at present from all the replies. Thanks to everyone who has taken the time to respond:)

Basil1234

just to throw a spanner in the works if comparing like for like e.g. 500gb for 46.99 computer company has own brand here

you first on cheapest at comet believe or not is 49.99 here but in checkout they have code you can add for 5% off all harddrives which is 5HD which takes another £2.50 off making it £47.49

the second in your list appears to be new model out now in silver in dixons at £56.40 here

cybergibbons

el_gringo wrote: »

Well the second one looks as if it will be a lot quieter - the standing design means the heat will dissapate easier and thus require a smaller/slower fan than the cheaper one.

You can't even tell if they have fans from the pictures. Nearly every external HD I have ever bought can be stood in both orientations - none require that they are stood up on end.