11 best seagate desktop hard drives

Product description

Store more, compute faster, and do it confidently with the proven reliability of BarraCuda internal hard drives. Perfect for designers, musicians, photographers, and video editors using multiple applications at once, these solutions offer uninterrupted performance, optimized read/write caching technology, and a variety of capacities and form factors to choose from. The result is a seamless experience backed by a two-year limited warranty and 20 years of hard drive laminate finish.

• Store more, compute faster, and do it confidently with the proven reliability of BarraCuda internal hard drives
• Build a powerhouse gaming computer or desktop setup with a variety of capacities and form factors
• The go to SATA hard drive solution for nearly every PC application from music to video to photo editing to PC gaming
• Confidently rely on internal hard drive technology backed by 20 years of innovation; Max sustained transfer rate OD(MB/s): 190 MB/s
• Enjoy long term peace of mind with the included 2 year limited warranty

User questions & answers

Question:	Is the 2tb (st2000dm008) internal hard drive cmr or smr
Answer:	I got the ST4000DM004 which claims 7200 rpm on amazon and my computer is reporting it has a media rotation rate of 5425 rpm
Question:	Is this really 7200rpm? the model number suggests otherwise
Answer:	Cables not included. You can buy a SATA data cable and likely the appropriate power cable for your computer right here on Amazon. Depending on your power supply, the power cable may already be connected to it in your computer -- some have that and some do not.
Question:	Is a sata cable included in the package
Answer:	Only the 1 TB (#ST1000DM010) and 2 TB (#ST2000DM008) models are 7200, all the larger models are 5400. Both the llisted speed and model number change in the product description as you pick different disk size options. This is consistent with Seagate's website -- From the home page, drill down through (or search for) Internal / Hard Drives / BarraCuda - Learn More, and then click the 3.5 inch models tab (NOT the 3.5 inch PRO models tab). Then click on the data sheet next to any model to get a PDF with a table containing all of the models along with their drive speeds and other specs..
Question:	Is this 7200 or 5400rpm
Answer:	6 PCB layers

Product features

BarraCuda Hard Drives

Upgrading with the reliable family of cost-effective Barracuda drives will improve the efficiency of data processing and retrieval. Improved efficiency provides instant access to data, which means faster game load times, quicker open rates for applications, and speedy file transfers.

Product description

Ideal for the home, office, or dorm, Seagate Expansion Desktop offers enormous desktop storage for photos, movies, music, and more. Backing up and transferring content is incredibly easy—just drag and drop To get set up, connect the USB hard drive to a Windows computer for automatic recognition—no software required. For Mac computers, simply reformat. Included is an 18-inch USB 3.0 cable and 18W power adapter.

• Enjoy enormous desktop storage space for years to come for photos, movies, music, and more
• Designed to work with Windows computers, this external USB drive makes backup easy with a simple drag-and-drop
• Setup is easy! Just connect the external hard drive to your Windows computer for automatic recognition—no software required
• Includes an 18-inch USB 3.0 cable and 18W power adapter
• Enjoy long-term peace of mind with the included one-year limited warranty

User questions & answers

Question:	Can I take the hard drive out and use it as a regular desktop hard drive
Answer:	I’ve done this with about 30+ 2tb, 4tb, and 8tb drives over the years- converting an external to an internal- and they are all still running fine to this day. Usually $30-40 cheaper than the internal and you get a free usb cable to boot. Just make sure you don’t hurt your hands while doing it. Twisting a flathead screw driver in the seams seemed like the way to go if I recall. They don’t make the cases easy to open. For someone below: Don’t use these for RAID. NAS rated drives are different because they handle higher heat, able to run 24/7 with cross checks, etc. read more about what makes the iron version a NAS approved drive compared to the standard barracuda.
Question:	will it work with a mac for time machine
Answer:	Just reformatted the external hard drive using Disk Utility. Works for Mac :) Im not a tech savvy person, so I found this website to be useful when selecting what option to select when erasing the hard drive. https://discussions.apple.com/thread/4276140?start=0&tstart=0I chose to use Journaled as I am using this for a Time Machine back up, like Matthew Chellew suggests in the first answer.
Question:	Does it work well with an Xbox One
Answer:	Like a charm, exactly what I purchased it for. Plug into any of the three ports (all 3 of the original XBox One ports are 3.0) and give it a minute. The XBox will recognize it and you have to choose for storage or media. Choose storage for games and you are up and running. Do be aware that this HDD does require its own power supply. I was transferring games within 5 minutes. FWIW within half an hour there was a power outage in the middle of a transfer and the external drive, the XBox One and the data are were ok when power came back on. If a data transfer is interrupted for any reason simply delete the failed portion on the destination drive and start the process over.
Question:	What is the diference between Seagate 5TB usb 3 model numbers STEB5000100, STBV5000100 and STDT
Answer:	The STBV is the older "Expansion" model with a lightly textured plastic case and slightly sloped front bezel. Sold only in North America, Europe, and Asia-Pacific with a 1-year, 2-year, or 3-year warranty, respectively.The STEB is the replacement "Expansion" model for the above with a more interesting texture and feet on one edge to stand vertically. It is sold in North America, Europe, and Asia-Pacific with a 1-year, 2-year, or 3-year warranty, respectively.The STDT is the "Backup Plus" model that looks like the STBV except with no sloped front and comes with backup software (on the disk) for both Windows and Mac OS, and includes 200GB of cloud storage with OneDrive for 2 years. It is sold in North America only with a 2-year warranty.The STDT comes in capacities of 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 8TB. The STEB and STBV go up to 5TB.They all use the same SuperSpeed USB 3.0 interface. I suspect the internal drives have small differences and firmware, but I can find no information about that.

Product features

What Does a PC Crave? Extra Space.

For a laptop or desktop overflowing with files, Expansion Desktop delivers loads of add-on capacity. Take advantage of quick transfers and backups with drag-and-drop ease to help protect thousands of photos, songs, and more in one trusty place.

What's Included

Expansion Desktop, 18-inch (45.72cm) USB 3.0 cable, 18W power adapter, Quick start guide

Product description

Get solid USB storage and 4TB capacity in an external desktop hard drive for Mac and Windows. Featuring dual front-facing, high-speed USB 3.0 ports, Backup Plus Hub makes it easy to charge mobile devices and transfer files from cameras, USB keys, and more. Even charge USB game controllers Enjoy simple, one-click backups, or schedule automatic daily, weekly, or monthly backup by downloading Seagate Toolkit software. Plus, take advantage of a complimentary two-month membership to the Adobe Creative Cloud Photography Plan for access to awesome photo and video editing apps.

• Store and access content for years with up to 14TB in a USB drive
• A great external hard drive for Mac and Windows, this hub can charge mobile devices and transfer files from USB cameras and USB thumb drives via its two USB 3.0 ports
• Use seamlessly between windows and Mac by installing the provided NTFS driver for Mac
• Complimentary four-month membership to the Adobe Creative Cloud Photography Plan’s photo and video editing apps (Must be redeemed within 1 year of drive registration. Not available in all countries)
• Enjoy long-term peace of mind with the included two-year limited warranty External desktop hard drive offers two front-facing, high-speed USB 3.0 ports for connecting to and recharging other USB devices like phones, cameras, and tablets

Product features

Backup and Recharge in One Place

Thousands of photos, hundreds of songs, loads of movies and docs—sound familiar? Backup Plus Hub helps protect all of it with proven reliability, seamless backup, Mac and Windows usability, plus two front-facing USB 3.0 ports for charging and managing devices like phones, tablets, and cameras.

Desk, Office, and Dorm Life—Made Easier

Backup Plus Hub helps protect important files and can’t-live-without memories with a single click. To schedule automatic backups, simply use the included Seagate software.

What's Included

Backup Plus Hub, 18-inch (45.72cm) USB 3.0 cable, 18W power adapter, Quick start guide, Seagate backup software, Mac driver

Product description

Ideal for the home, office, or dorm, Seagate Expansion Desktop offers enormous desktop storage for photos, movies, music, and more. Backing up and transferring content is incredibly easy—just drag and drop To get set up, connect the USB hard drive to a Windows computer for automatic recognition—no software required. For Mac computers, simply reformat. Included is an 18-inch USB 3.0 cable and 18W power adapter.

• Enjoy enormous desktop storage space for years to come for photos, movies, music, and more
• Designed to work with Windows computers, this external USB drive makes backup, easy with a simple drag and drop. System requirement: Windows 7 or higher operating system
• Setup is easy; Just connect the external hard drive to your Windows computer for automatic recognition no software required
• Includes an 18 inch USB 3.0 cable and 18 watt power adapter
• Enjoy long-term peace of mind with the included 1 year limited warranty and 1 year rescue data recovery services

User questions & answers

Question:	Usb 2.0. Support
Answer:	Yes. 2.0 and 3.0.
Question:	What is the warranty? i can't find any info on it at seagate except that there isn't a warranty via seagate based on the serial number i entered
Answer:	The warranty in the US is 1 year. I found the answer on Seagate's data sheet for this product from their website (which Google was kind enough to find for me, I couldn't find it digging on their website). It depends on your region. https://www.seagate.com/files/www-content/datasheets/pdfs/portable-drive-2-5-DS1985-1-1804US-en_US.pdf
Question:	Can you use this for PS
Answer:	I had this hard drive for awhile as a spare backup drive in my PC. I plugged it into the front port of my PS4 and instantly gained 4TB of space. It requires no extra power source, the PS4 will format it and you can play games on it just the same as installing to your HDD inside the PS4. I don't notice any speed issues on my PRO, it runs the same speed. It's perfect to stop you from having to shuffle games off and on the limited 1TB in the system.
Question:	How many hours of music can this hold
Answer:	An MP3 is about 1-2 meg/minute depending on bit rate, so in the worst case, say 4-8 million minutes depending on bit rate, so it's about 66,666 to 123,000 hours depending on file size. About 7.6 - 15 years of continuous recording. Chances are, unless you're loading it with porn (and maybe not even then!) you probably can't fill this before it wears out. Trust me, by the time you even come close to filling this drive, a 40TB drive will be about the same price, you'll buy that, then copy everything over, format it, then offer it to your kid, who will wonder what can he do with a drive this small.

Product features

What Does a PC Crave? Extra Space.

For a laptop or desktop overflowing with files, Expansion Desktop delivers loads of add-on capacity. Take advantage of quick transfers and backups with drag-and-drop ease to help protect thousands of photos, songs, and more in one trusty place.

What's Included

Expansion Desktop, 18-inch (45.72cm) USB 3.0 cable, 18W power adapter,

Quick start guide

Product description

Seagate Barracuda ST1000DM003 1TB 7200RPM SATA3/SATA 6.0 GB/s 64MB Hard Drive (3.5 inch)

From the Manufacturer

The Seagate Desktop HDD is the one hard drive for all your desktop applications. One drive for every need, supported by 30 years of trusted performance, reliability and simplicity.

• Ideal for everyday desktop and computing storage
• 1TB capacity stores 120 HD video, or 200,000 photos, or 250,000 songs
• 7200 RPM
• Store data faster with SATA 6GB/s interface
• 2 year warranty; 64MB cache

User questions & answers

Question:	It's pictured without a cover to somewhat seal the hard drive discs. Does it come with the cover
Answer:	The hard drives arrive fully enclosed and ready to use. Not sure why the photo is posted the way it is, however you will have no issues.Hope this helps.
Question:	I went to the official Seagate website, but not one word about warranty length. I find that very disturbing. Anyone know the warranty length
Answer:	There is no warranty other than the one generic Amazon 30 day. Seagate doesn't warrant 3rd party sellers. I know this because I've had 2 drives fail in 90 days. Not this model though.
Question:	Do these come with SATA III cables to connect to your motherboard or do you have to purchase those separately
Answer:	**Note** There is no distinction between SATA I/II/III cables. Any SATA cable (quality, not junk) will work with all 3 standards, just as fast: http://www.serialata.org/documents/SATA-6Gbs-Fast-Just-Got-Faster.pdf
Question:	what is bare drive
Answer:	I am sorry if I didn't get your question correctly but If you mean what does "bare drive" mean, in means that it's the drive only. You have to put it in your PC Case and connect the cables. bare drive vs. external drives which come with a case and you connect them usually through a USB cable. If you mean the capacity I got the 2 gig version = 1.8 gb

Product features

Desktop Hard Drives Help Lower Costs

The one drive for every desktop system need, supported by 30 years of trusted performance, reliability, and simplicity.

Computer Hard Drive Storage Technology

- Industry's first 1 TB-per-disk hard drive technology.

- SATA 6Gb/s technology maximizes performance.

- Free DiscWizard software enables high capacities on legacy PC BIOS systems.

Easy Transition Beyond 2TB

Are you worried about moving beyond 2TB? You don't have to. The Seagate DiscWizard utility makes this transition a snap.

- Free software enables Windows machines to utilize drives beyond 2TB.

- Seagate DiscWizard provides you with a means to effectively utilize your high-capacity hard drives.

Help Lower Hard Drive Storage Costs

Seagate Desktop HDDs with 1TB-per-disk have advanced power modes to save more energy while in idle states—without sacrificing performance. Desktop HDDs are produced using the most sophisticated manufacturing process in the industry, with a focus on environmental stewardship.

Desktop HDDs comply with the RoHS directive on hazardous materials and voluntarily restrict halogen compounds. 70% or more of the materials used to build Desktop HDDs are recyclable and have low power consumption.

Product description

Store more, compute faster, and do it confidently with the proven reliability of BarraCuda internal hard drives. Perfect for designers, musicians, photographers, and video editors using multiple applications at once, these solutions offer uninterrupted performance, optimized read/write caching technology, and a variety of capacities and form factors to choose from. The result is a seamless experience backed by a two-year limited warranty and 20 years of hard drive innovation.

• Store more, compute faster, and do it confidently with the proven reliability of BarraCuda internal hard drives
• Build a powerhouse gaming computer or desktop setup with a variety of capacities and form factors
• The go-to SATA hard drive solution for nearly every PC application—from music to video to photo editing to PC gaming
• Confidently rely on internal hard drive technology backed by 20 years of innovation
• Enjoy long-term peace of mind with the included two-year limited warranty

User questions & answers

Question:	Hi,I would like to know if this hard drive would work for my dell inspiron? its model number is m531r or 5535.Thanks
Answer:	Yes sir it works great
Question:	What is the drive speed for the 2TB? 5400 or
Answer:	The speed of this particular version is 5400rpm. There is a version that’s has 7200rpm if your insterested. It’s called the Barracuda PRO. The average sustained R/W of the latter drive varies from 170MBps-220MBps
Question:	Can we install windows on it, is it gpt disk
Answer:	Yes, it can be formatted for either MBR or GPT. MBR is supported by older PC's BIOS and GPT is used by newer UEFI BIOS because it support disks larger than 2 TB.
Question:	Funciona en ps4 slim
Answer:	Si bro funciona perfecto

Product features

Versatility at the Ready

Versatile and dependable, Seagate’s fierce BarraCuda drives are inspired by the past but ready for the future. BarraCuda 2.5-inch drives, in 7mm and 15mm z-heights, are a cost-effective way to handle all your PC needs.

Multi-Tier Caching Technology

All hard drives in the BarraCuda family come equipped with Multi-Tier Caching Technology (MTC). MTC takes your PC to new performance levels. By applying intelligent layers of NAND Flash, DRAM and media cache technologies, BarraCuda delivers improved read and write performance by optimizing data flow, allowing you to load apps and files faster than ever before.

Major Capacity

Store it all. With capacities up to 5TB, BarraCuda leads the market with the widest range of storage options available. With a 2.5-inch form factor, users can upgrade their laptop, mobile, external storage, or all-in-one PC systems with ease.

Product description

The Seagate desktop HDD is the one hard drive for all your desktop applications. One drive for every need, supported by 30 years of trusted performance, reliability and simplicity. This Drive is designed to work in any Personal Computer or Consumer Application that uses 3.5” SATA Hard Drive

• HDDs that bring your costs down and crank your storage up
• Seagate optic ache technology improves performance by up to 45% over the previous generation
• SATA 6GB/s technology maximizes performance
• Seagate Acura technology enables reliable read/write performance even in high-touch operating environments

User questions & answers

Question:	How do I put Windows 10 Pro on this new drive
Answer:	Just put the drive into your computer, and then boot up with the Win10 Pro DVD/CD already in the slot. Windows will do the rest.
Question:	Anyone have an external enclosure kit for this drive they can recommend? Thanks
Answer:	this is the one I use and it has worked for me for 2 years now: https://www.amazon.com/AmazonBasics-3-5-inches-SATA-Drive-Enclosure/dp/B01MZC303G/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=AmazonBasics+3.5-inches+SATA+HDD+Hard+Drive+Enclosure&qid=1608937216&sr=8-1
Question:	Is the picture shown correct for what the drive looks like? what is shown looks different then what i removed from my security system dvr
Answer:	The picture is with the top cover removed to show the internal workings of the drive. I don't recommend removing this cover as it will likely void the warranty, and if dust or large particles were to get in, could ruin your drive, your data, or both.
Question:	I am looking for a seagate st1000dm003 9yn162-500 with firmware:cc4b and board rev b. do you have any of those
Answer:	That drive should work with most ANY motherboard.

Product description

Easily store and access 4TB of content on the go with Seagate Expansion Portable. Designed to work with Windows computers, this compact external hard drive makes backup a snap. Just drag and drop; To get set up, connect the portable hard drive to a computer for automatic recognition—no software required—and enjoy plug and play simplicity with the included 18 inch USB 3.0 cable.

• Easily store and access 4TB of content on the go with Seagate Expansion Portable hard drive
• This external hard drive for Windows computers makes backup a snap—just drag-and-drop!
• To get set up, connect the portable hard drive to your Windows computer for automatic recognition—no software required
• This USB drive provides plug-and-play simplicity with the included 18-inch USB 3.0 cable
• Enjoy long-term peace of mind with the included one-year limited warranty

User questions & answers

Question:	Will this work for a 2015 Macbook Air
Answer:	Off the shelf, I do not think it worked with a Mac. You will likely have to reformat it. I wanted it to work with a Mac and a PC, so I reformatted it for ExFAT. This allows me to plug it into both computers without any issue.
Question:	Is the drive inside compatible with the PS
Answer:	the 4tb version will not work on a ps4, I bought it for my ps4 and what I had to do is to use a sata extension cable or to cut off the metal casing avoiding to insert the 4tb drive. I used a $20 dremel from amazon to cut the metal casing. Works like a charm after that.
Question:	Is this compatible with Mac OS-X, which versions
Answer:	It is Monday Jan 25 2021 and I just reformatted with Disk Utility and it is backing up now. I'm using it as a Time Machine Drive. It didn't want to erase on the first pass for some reason, but I unplugged it and plugged it back in and it erased and formatted as Mac OS Extended Journaled. I've had the same thing happen on other drives, but they always work in the end. I'm currently running Catalina 10.15.7 on a 15" MBP.
Question:	can I use this for xobox one
Answer:	First, and important, my post was for the 4 TB version of this drive., which is currently $109. The picture that is displayed in this reply section is showing the 1 TB version of the drive, for $54.99 (I see what has been done with the comments on the drive. There are four different drive sizes listed. Apparently all comments, made for any of these drives, are combined into one comment section. No matter which size drive you click on, you see the comments for ALL). I would get the 4 TB version, for future expansion capabilities, if I were buying. Yes, it did work but the sequence for attaching the drive is different than normal. If you connect the drive while the Xbox is off, and then turn the Xbox on, the Xbox will not see the drive. You have to plug the drive into the USB port when the Xbox is turned ON, and then the drive will be seen. You then run through a quick install procedure, which is very simple, and you are ready to roll! I am going to buy a 2nd drive, just to have one as backup. The price just dropped $10 bucks, so it is a small incentive. I like the size/look of this drive. I would expect the 1 TB version of this drive to function in the same manner. Just remember that for drives, when it states a drive size, you always get slightly less than what it states, which was why I stated that I would go with the 4 TB drive, over the 1 TB drive. Mater of choice, depending on expected future disk space usage. I like room to grow!One last comment, I have seen statements that the drive fails, after a period of time, which varies. My first thought on this is where is the drive placed. On the top of the Xbox, heat is generated through the top, from vents to keep the Xbox cool. If the drive were to be placed there, heat could take a toll on the drive, over a period of time. For the Xbox and the drive, if they are in an enclosed cabinet, with minimal air circulation, that is not good for either, as the heat generated by the Xbox is then contained within the enclosure area, which is definitely not good. Both the Xbox and the drive need cool air, for long term survival. If you have an audio center, with doors, open the door when using the Xbox. This is also as to why when a computer is stored in a cabinet enclosure/computer rack, you will find fans installed in the cabinet to draw out the warm air.

Product features

The More Space. The Merrier.

Windows computers tend to perform better when their internal drives aren’t filled to the brim. That’s why Expansion Portable is here to help. Transfer, backup, and give that desktop or laptop the space it needs. Fast USB connectivity and drag-and-drop style make the whole process a no brainer.

What's Included

Expansion Portable, 18-inch (45.72cm) USB 3.0 cable, Quick start guide

Product description

With 8TB of colossal space, store 200+ titles in an external hard drive built exclusively for Xbox. Featuring dual front facing USB 3.0 ports, the Game Drive Hub for Xbox has the power to charge mobile devices, controllers, and gaming accessories, making it the perfect centerpiece for any console area. Dive into the action with a quick step by step setup, plug and play USB 3.0 connectivity, and high speed performance.

• With 8TB of colossal space on this portable external hard drive, store 200 plus titles with an external hard drive and hub built exclusively for Xbox
• Dual front facing USB 3.0 ports can charge mobile devices, controllers, and gaming accessories
• This game drive lets you dive into the action with a quick step by step setup and plug and play USB 3.0 connectivity
• Enjoy seamless, no lag performance thanks to high speed USB 3.0
• Enjoy long term peace of mind with the included 1 year limited warranty and 1 year rescue recovery service

User questions & answers

Question:	I read that Xbox 360 couldn't use more than a 32gb external hard drive, so how will this work
Answer:	There was an Xbox live system software update for the 360 consoles that went live on August 30th ending the 16/32GB external memory cap. The USB ports on the console will now recognize external hard drives up to 2TB per slot, and two 2TB hard drives can be used simultaneously giving you 4TB total if you need it. It took ten years, but Microsoft finally listened to the masses.
Question:	do you have to select whether the Xbox uses the internal or external drive when you are loading up a game? or will it find it automatically
Answer:	I think the short answer to your question is the Xbox will find it automatically. The long answer is that during initial configuration of the drive (when you connect it the first time) it will ask you if you want to use this to install games to. After this, the Xbox manages the drive and knows where it has installed the games. If you want to clear up space on the internal drive, you can move games previously installed on it from the internal drive to the external drive. You will do this through the Xbox manage storage feature, so the Xbox will know where it installed the game.
Question:	Does it come with the connecting cord
Answer:	u mean the usb 3.0 cord?
Question:	Will any external hard drive work for extra storage or do I have to buy this one
Answer:	Like others have said, any 3.0 USB drive will work. Funny thing I picked up the same brand 2tb hd and it was like 10 to $15 cheaper as said before, plus it came with a silicone protection sleeve/case and had a 2 year warranty instead of the 1yr that this xbox version drive has. Also this drive is made and assembled in China whereas the same brand 2tb external plain drive is from China but assembled in thailand

Product features

Room to Play

With a colossal 8TB of capacity and plenty of room for 200+ games, you can easily take care of your storage needs and make deleting old games a thing of the past.* All that extra space on the Game Drive Hub for Xbox is also useful for game-save data and downloadable content.

* Average game size is 35GB to 50GB

Great Performance Means Great Gaming

Game Drive Hub includes high-speed USB 3.0—like playing from your console's hard drive.

Your Universe of Games in One Spot

With 8TB of capacity, you will never be short of game space.

Glorify Your Gamertag

Xbox will ask you to name your Game Drive. It’s up to you how you make it your own.

Product description

Features: Two Integrated High-speed USB 3.0 ports Formatted for Windows Computers Out of the Box Works with Windows and Mac Computers without Reformatting Schedule an Automatic Backup Plan with Included Seagate Backup Software Includes 2-month Membership to Adobe Creative Cloud Photography Plan

• Two Integrated High-speed USB 3.0 ports
• Formatted for Windows Computers Out of the Box
• Works with Windows and Mac Computers without Reformatting
• Schedule an Automatic Backup Plan with Included Seagate Backup Software

User questions & answers

Question:	Would this drive work for a dvr? for instance, windows media center
Answer:	You can down load and save to this external drive but I'm not sure if can record on it. I've never tried.
Question:	Has anyone had issues with this drive not being detected during installation? I have tried 3 of them and same result
Answer:	I currently run four of these (two 6TB and two 8TB). All are on Mac desktops, and all are connected directly to the computers (not through a hub). I've not have any problem with them being detected during installation.
Question:	Can one use different backup software, and can I plug it in only when I want to Make an on demand image
Answer:	If you're on a Mac, you can certainly use Time Machine. There's no need to keep it plugged in all the time.
Question:	Can it be kept horizontal instead of vertical
Answer:	I keep 2 vertical, and 2 horizontal. Has not made a difference in the several years they've been running.

Product description

Travel with a capacity of 1TB in an ultra-compact portable hard drive—LaCie Rugged Mini. Seamlessly connect to USB 3.0 computers, transfer content fast with speeds of up to 130MB/s, and trek confidently with all-terrain durability of drop, crush, and rain resistance. This drive even includes a complimentary one-month membership to the Adobe Creative Cloud All Apps Plan for access to awesome photo and video editing apps, as well as a two-year limited warranty for long-term peace of mind.

• Travel with a massive capacity of up to 1TB in an ultra compact portable external hard drive—LaCie Rugged Mini
• For those who have a need for speed, seamlessly connect to USB 3.0 computers and transfer content fast with speeds of up to 130MB/s
• Trek confidently with an external hard drive that offers all terrain durability of drop, crush, and water resistance
• Take advantage of a complimentary one month membership to the Adobe Creative Cloud All Apps Plan for access to awesome photo and video editing apps
• Enjoy long term peace of mind with the included two year limited warranty

Product features

The Smallest Rugged Around

With capacities of up to 5TB, the LaCie Rugged Mini is a small but mighty USB 3.0 portable hard drive. Perfect for busy creatives, it offers premium protection for photos, footage, and more while delivering Mac and Windows compatibility, fast speeds, and customizable backup.

What's Included

LaCie Rugged Mini hard drive, USB 3.0 cable (2.0 compatible), Quick Install Guide