Seagate STBL500100 GoFlex Slim 500GB External Drive — main product image

Seagate STBL500100 GoFlex Slim 500GB External Drive

Seagate

Seagate STBL500100 GoFlex Slim 500GB External Drive

Name: Seagate STBL500100 GoFlex Slim 500GB External Drive
Brand: Seagate
SKU: STBL500100

★★★★★3.4 (66 reviews)

USB 2.0

Ultra-slim 500GB portable drive with Mac and PC cross-compatibility and Time Machine support built in.

Check availability

Affiliate Disclosure: Studio Supplies may earn a commission from qualifying purchases made through links on this page, at no additional cost to you. This helps support our editorial team.

Notice a mistake? Let Us Know

Overview

The Seagate GoFlex Slim STBL500100 is a portable external hard drive built around the idea that backup storage shouldn't take up much space. Its ultra-thin, anodized aluminum enclosure is one of the slimmest in the portable drive category, making it easy to toss into a laptop bag, desk drawer, or even a jacket pocket. Inside, a 5400 RPM hard drive provides 500GB of storage — enough for a solid collection of documents, photos, and project files. It's plug-and-play over USB 2.0, so there are no drivers to install; just connect the cable and the drive mounts on your desktop.

A key selling point of the GoFlex Slim is its dual-platform compatibility. The drive works interchangeably on Mac and PC computers, removing the usual hassle of reformatting when switching between operating systems. For Mac users specifically, full Time Machine compatibility means you can set it as your backup destination and let macOS handle the rest automatically. The trade-off is the USB 2.0 interface, which limits maximum transfer speeds well below what USB 3.0 or Thunderbolt drives can achieve. For large media libraries or frequent bulk transfers, that bandwidth ceiling is noticeable — but for routine backups and everyday file storage, the GoFlex Slim's combination of portability and simplicity still holds appeal.

Key Features

USB 2.0 Plug and Play

High performance 5400 RPM drive

Sleek, ultra-thin anodized design

Compatible with Time Machine software

Use the same drive interchangeably on both Mac and PC computers

Specifications

Capacity

500GB

Interface

USB 2.0

Drive Speed

5400 RPM

Form Factor

Portable external hard drive

Design

Ultra-thin anodized aluminum

Compatibility

Mac OS X and PC

Backup Support

Time Machine compatible

Pros & Cons

👍 Pros

Ultra-thin anodized aluminum design is noticeably slimmer and more portable than standard external drives
Works on both Mac and PC without reformatting, making cross-platform use seamless
Time Machine compatible for effortless automated backups on macOS
Plug-and-play USB connectivity requires no driver installation

👎 Cons

USB 2.0 interface is significantly slower than USB 3.0, limiting transfer speeds for large files
500GB capacity is modest by current storage standards
5400 RPM mechanical drive is slower and more fragile than modern SSD alternatives
No included encryption or hardware-based security features

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the GoFlex Slim work with Time Machine on Mac?

Yes, the STBL500100 is fully compatible with Time Machine, so you can use it for automated Mac backups right out of the box.

Can I use the GoFlex Slim on both Mac and PC?

Yes, the drive is designed to work interchangeably on both Mac and PC computers without reformatting.

What interface does the GoFlex Slim use?

It connects via USB 2.0, which is plug-and-play with no drivers required.

How fast is the internal drive mechanism?

The GoFlex Slim uses a 5400 RPM hard drive, which provides solid performance for everyday file transfers and backup tasks.

How physically thin is this drive compared to standard portable hard drives?

The GoFlex Slim features an ultra-thin anodized aluminum design that is noticeably slimmer than most standard portable hard drives, making it easy to slip into a bag or pocket.