Seagate Readies 500 GB Version of 9 mm-thick FreeAgent

[btarunr]

Seagate is working on a new variant of the 9 mm-thick FreeAgent portable hard drive it launched back in April 2011. The new variant features a fast 7200 RPM drive, with a capacity of 500 GB. The original model had 320 GB capacity. Measuring 124 x 78 x 9 mm, and weighing 160 g, the drives take advantage of USB 3.0 SuperSpeed interface, with a single cable handling power and connectivity. The new 500 GB variant costs about $170, which is very high compared to the launch price of the 320 GB variant, which was around $99, but then you have to take into account the escalation of HDD prices across the industry since September 2011.



View at TechPowerUp Main Site

 

[RejZoR]

All i can say is YES please. These USB powered external drives are so much more versatile than those fat ones that require socket power as well. Never liked those and never will.
Yes, it's pricy but it comes with small size and style. That's worth 170 imo.
Best of all is that you don't need power socket and because of that, these can also work in a car stereo. Just copy massive number of MP3's, pop it in the car and off you go. Can't do that with 3,5 inchers...

 

[NHKS]

nice & elegant for an ext. HDD!!..
Apple would be glad to have its logo on this..

 

[Delta6326]

Very nice looking indeed. I wish there where more computer cases that looked like this simply, but yet elegant.

 

[brandonwh64]

HMMM I don't see how this is new? I have a WD 640GB 7,200 RPM passport about is MAYBE 2-3MM thicker than this one and just as portable (USB powered).

 

[Fourstaff]

HMMM I don't see how this is new? I have a WD 640GB 7,200 RPM passport about is MAYBE 2-3MM thicker than this one and just as portable (USB powered).

Its new because its thinner. See: Ultrabooks

Personally I think this is a good step forward, give it another 5-10 years 9mm will be the standard as it uses less material, and when the manufacturing costs decrease.

 

[brandonwh64]

Its new because its thinner. See: Ultrabooks

Personally I think this is a good step forward, give it another 5-10 years 9mm will be the standard as it uses less material, and when the manufacturing costs decrease.

Hmmm I will have to dig out my micrometer and do some comparisons LOL.

 

[Static~Charge]

Seagate is working on a new variant of the 9 mm-thick FreeAgent portable hard drive

And how much shock protection do you get with a 9mm-thick case? I could see my coworkers breaking a drive like this very easily.

 

[Andy77]

Hmmm I will have to dig out my micrometer and do some comparisons LOL.

It's 12,5 mm max notebook hdd size...


But, but:

COOLMAX Aluminum USB 3.0 External Enclosure (12,7mm) @$20
OR one of the other great looking thin enclosures available
+
Western Digital Scorpio Blue 1TB (9,5mm) @$200
OR
Western Digital Scorpio Blue 750GB (9,5mm) @$120

= Cheaper/better value, more space and just as good looking even if not exactly as thin, no power brick needed.