
Seagate
Seagate STHN2000404 2TB Backup Plus Slim Portable External Hard Drive Gold
★★★★★
USB 3.0USB 2.0
Compact 2TB portable drive with USB 3.0 speed and automatic folder mirroring in a stylish gold finish.
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Overview
Key Features
Textured metal finish fits in with modern lifestyle elements
Compatible with USB 3.0 and USB 2.0
Powered by USB connection-offers customised backup and folder mirroring
Drop files into the designated folder for automatic file synchronisation
Works with Windows and Mac without the need to reformat
Specifications
Capacity
2TB
Interface
USB 3.0 (USB 2.0 backward compatible)
Form Factor
2.5 Inch
Compatibility
PC and Mac
Power Source
USB bus-powered
Color
Gold
Features
Textured metal finish, folder mirroring, customizable backup
Model
STHN2000404
Pros & Cons
👍 Pros
- 2TB capacity provides ample space for documents, photos, music, and video backups in one portable device.
- USB 3.0 interface delivers fast transfer speeds while remaining backward compatible with USB 2.0 ports.
- Bus-powered design eliminates the need for an external power adapter, simplifying on-the-go use.
- Folder mirroring feature provides automatic, continuous backup of designated folders without manual intervention.
- Textured gold metal finish gives the drive a premium look that stands out from typical black plastic enclosures.
👎 Cons
- As a traditional spinning hard drive, it is more fragile and susceptible to damage from drops than solid-state alternatives.
- Transfer speeds, while adequate, are noticeably slower than external SSDs for large file operations.
- The drive may require reformatting to work natively with macOS, which erases any pre-loaded software.
- No built-in hardware encryption means sensitive data relies on third-party software for protection.
- The 2.5-inch mechanical drive can produce audible noise and vibration during heavy read/write activity.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the Seagate Backup Plus Slim work with both Mac and Windows?
Yes, it is compatible with both Windows and Mac systems. It may need to be reformatted for full read/write support on Mac, or you can use Seagate's included software for cross-platform compatibility.
Is the drive bus-powered or does it need an external power adapter?
The Backup Plus Slim is powered entirely through the USB connection. No external power supply or adapter is required.
What is the difference between USB 3.0 and USB 2.0 performance on this drive?
USB 3.0 delivers significantly faster transfer speeds (up to 5Gbps theoretical maximum) compared to USB 2.0 (480Mbps). The drive is backward compatible with USB 2.0 ports but will operate at the slower speed.
What does the folder mirroring feature do?
Folder mirroring automatically synchronizes files between a selected folder on your computer and the Backup Plus Slim. When you add, edit, or delete files in the mirrored folder, the changes are reflected on the drive automatically.
How physically large is the Backup Plus Slim?
It uses a standard 2.5-inch form factor, designed to be pocket-sized and easily portable without a carrying case.