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Neowin Review : Seagate 5Gb Pocket Hard Drive

Mr magoo   on 24 March 2005 - 00:00 · 32 comments & 4349 views

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In the second part of our look at some of the portable gear Seagate are offering currently, we've taken a look at the company's smaller option for users : a 5 GB, pocket hard drive.
    "USB: it's everywhere. Like a plague amongst motherboard designers, the USB socket has become ubiquitous with the modern day computer. Asides from devices like printers and mice, USB devices range from the quirky to the rather useful. Arguably one of the most useful groups of devices on the market today is the portable USB drive.

    High speed, reliable and small, they've virtually killed the floppy disk drive giving computer users a better way to store and transfer their files. In a world of bulging PowerPoint presentations and growing media libraries, the question of storage on the go is one that has hit most of us. Perhaps, we've found an answer."

After the initial amazement that they could pack in 5 GB's worth of hard drive into such a small space, we looked deeper into an exceptionally well designed portable device. For the full review, follow the link below.

View: Review | Photo of the P.H.D. in action
View: Seagate


File Sizes and MD5 Hashes

English March 2005 Full File Size: 131 MB (137554161 bytes)
English March 2005 Full MD5 Hash: 020EAF19F9080DE762FEEEC42D6E63B6
English March 2005 Lite File Size: 36.5 MB (38329271 bytes)
English March 2005 Lite MD5 Hash: 59A28D31BAE9A89BE94CAF6BAA3F32B2

What's Included:

Windows XP SP2 - Critical Updates
KB834707: Cumulative Security Update for Internet Explorer
KB873339: Vulnerability in HyperTerminal could allow code execution
KB873374: Microsoft GDI+ Detection Tool
KB885626: Your computer stops responding when you restart to complete the installation of Windows XP SP2
KB885835: Vulnerabilities in Windows Kernel and LSASS could allow elevation of privilege
KB885836: A vulnerability in WordPad could allow code execution
KB886185: Windows Firewall "My Network (subnet) only" scoping
KB890175: Vulnerability in HTML Help could allow code execution
KB890830: Malicious Software Removal Tool
KB867282: Cumulative Security Update for IE for XP Service Pack 2
KB873333: Security Update for Windows XP
KB885250: Security Update for Windows XP
KB886903: Security Update for .NET Framework 1.1 SP1
KB888113: Security Update for Windows XP
KB888302: Security Update for Windows XP
KB890047: Security Update for Windows XP
KB891781: Security Update for Windows XP

Windows XP SP2 - Recommended updates
KB831240: Update for HighMAT support in the Windows XP CD Writing Wizard
KB884020: Loopback IP address range problem
KB885222: Performance of 1394 devices may decrease after you install Windows XP SP2
KB886677: Corrupt DBCS characters in Internet Explorer on Windows XP
KB887742: Stop error "Stop 0x05" in Windows XP SP2 or Windows Server 2003
KB887797: Cumulative Update for Outlook Express for Windows XP
KB888240: Add-ons not listed in Internet Explorer on Windows XP SP2
KB890831: Input Method Editor disabled when using MSN Messenger in Windows XP SP2

Addons
Adaptec ASPI
Bootvis 1.3.37 (only in Full)
Official Windows XP PowerToys
Copy Profile Tool
DirectX Control Panel
Google Toolbar (only in Full)
ieSpellcheck (only in Full)
PowerMenu 1.5.1
Startup Control Panel 2.8
New XP Style Wallpapers (only in Full)
New XP Screensavers (only in Full)
.NET Framework 1.1 (+SP1) (only in Full)
Windows Media Player 10.0.3802 (only in Full)
Windows Journal Viewer 1.5 (only in Full)
MSN Messenger 6.2.0205 (only in Full)
Windows Messenger 5.1 (only in Full)
Macromedia Shockwave Player (only in Full)
Windows Media Connect (only in Full)
Sun Java 1.5.0_02 (only in Full)

And of course a lot of registry tweaks which improve speed, appearance, functionality and security!

Post a comment · Send to friend Comments · There are 32 additional comments
(2 replies) #1 bangbang023 on 24 Mar 2005 - 00:01
I got a sneak peak at it before and I'll say it again; Awesome review man. This thing looks pretty damn cool.
#1.1 vetlardiop on 24 Mar 2005 - 00:04
Ditto here Tommy... awesome little gadget
#1.2 djh_Wolf on 24 Mar 2005 - 00:19
I've had one of these for a few months now, very nice little gadget. It's a little on the slow side IMO, but totally bus powered and a hefty amount of storage. I carry it around in my pocket almost all the time and don't really notice it.

Very nice, if a tad expensive.
#2 GM_Axis on 24 Mar 2005 - 00:35
Hm.. I've never been terribly fond of Seagate. Maybe I should take another look?
#3 Jdawg683 on 24 Mar 2005 - 00:58
I made a thread about this thing a few weeks ago wondering if you can take out the hard drive and put it in a CF slot on a PDA.... anyone have a clue? For the price i would love to rip one of these apart.
#4 koocha on 24 Mar 2005 - 00:59
I'd love one of these. Does anybody know how it emulates boot up? My USB stick can do USB-HDD and USB-ZIP. If this can do those I'm having one!
#5 Nelsinho on 24 Mar 2005 - 01:18
wow awesome p.h.d.d. amazing design simply I love it and very good review too
#6 berlamont on 24 Mar 2005 - 02:31
it still has moving parts though, i mean its awesome don't get me wrong, but there is not way it would make it through the wash a couple times like my flash drive
#7 Ghatak on 24 Mar 2005 - 03:37
nice (y)
(3 replies) #8 utomo on 24 Mar 2005 - 03:52
They need to improve :
faster RPM.
and if possible also create bigger capacity, now 2 and 5GB is too small for most of us.
there is cheaper alternative just to bring small DVD disc, which can be played on DVD ROM. and now many computer have DVD ROM.
#8.1 bangbang023 on 24 Mar 2005 - 04:27
dvd-rom has slower access speeds than this.
#8.2 utomo on 24 Mar 2005 - 06:02
Yes it is true that DVD Rom is slower. but it is much cheaper.
and normal harddisk is baout 5400rpm.
some now go to 7200 and more. so I think they can make 5400, which usefull for USB 2. otherwise it is not so efficient

#8.3 bangbang023 on 24 Mar 2005 - 21:05
speed isn't what you are buying when you buy something like this. Tom clearly states how he watched media off of it with no issues, so I don't see the problem.
#9 Rhialto on 24 Mar 2005 - 04:03
I would have expected a 5400 RPM...
#10 aximxp on 24 Mar 2005 - 04:40
Why is this such a big deal? Hitachi's 6GB Microdrive is compact flash format, a hell of alot smaller than this UFO-shaped deal, and a variety of manufacturers make 5GB CF card drives that you can fit in your change pocket easily. A CF->PC Card adapter is like 5 dollars for a laptop as is a card-reader for PC so I don't see the appeal....
#11 mx3 on 24 Mar 2005 - 05:53
Looks very cool, but I already carry my iriver around when I'd need a usb hard drive. Thanks for your hard work on the review neowin!
#12 Solarix on 24 Mar 2005 - 06:21
3600rpm's hmmm no thanks good review tho
(1 reply) #13 Vietfobster on 24 Mar 2005 - 06:26
this is a dumb question but...


do external portable harddrives work with DESKTOP PCs?
#13.1 djh_Wolf on 24 Mar 2005 - 10:35
So long as you have a USB/USB2 port, yes. These will work just fine as an additional storage drive for a desktop PC.

If however, you mean "can I replace my desktop's internal HD with one of these USB ones", then, in theory, yes, so long as your computer's BIOS supports a 'boot from usb' option.


There's not really a good reason for wanting to do this tho. They're designed as extra portable storage. I use mine for transporting stuff to/from work, and 5gig holds a few mpegs too. Sweet.
#14 Damien on 24 Mar 2005 - 06:50
I've had this drive for a little while now. Found it for about $140USD with shipping for the 5GB model through Amazon.

The thing works great and I use it with my laptop and desktop PC all the time.

As far as bringing small DVDs with you, a) you have to buy more than 1, b) they can get scratched in transit, & c) this is rewriteable.

The appeal for the unit is that it's totally self contained, you don't have to get extra parts, and everything rolls up into a small package.
#15 bush on 24 Mar 2005 - 07:29
cool thingy. wondering if it will be working after two/three years
#16 ThaCrip on 24 Mar 2005 - 14:36
these things plain are NOT worth it ... "UNLESS" u have money to burn... cause me i would rather have a 250GB+ IDE hard drive for my pc then only 5GB for like 150 dollars for these portable hdd's!
#17 alpaca2500 on 24 Mar 2005 - 15:36
i salvaged a 6 GB hard drive from an old non-functioning laptop, and bought a 2.5" USB2 enclosure for it for $11. it's 4200 RPM as opposed to 3600. it's probably about twice the size, but it still fits fine in my briefcase or laptop bag. it works great. much faster and more storage than a USB thumb drive, and almost as portable...
#18 noping on 24 Mar 2005 - 16:43
I would rather get a 4 gig ipod over this,,, it doest the same theing and plus much more..

Or even 20gig ipod if you take the price into account.
(3 replies) #19 deadmonkey on 24 Mar 2005 - 16:48
For that price you could buy a 80GB laptop HDD and a USB2 enclosure for it and have 16 times the capacity for something just a little bit bigger.

This device has a few nice features though such as attached USB cable but at ~£20/gb that is an expensive bit of kit!
#19.1 Colin-uk on 24 Mar 2005 - 18:02
thats what i have very nice it is too

this does seem a little on the expensive side...
#19.2 bangbang023 on 25 Mar 2005 - 04:53
a "little" bigger? Try ALOT bigger. This thing fits in one's pocket easily.
#19.3 Underhill on 25 Mar 2005 - 07:38
ALOT bigger? this baby fits in my pocket just fine. It's a notebook hd with a USB2 enclosure.

#20 markyp23 on 25 Mar 2005 - 09:58
Looks HOT!
#21 papertiger on 26 Mar 2005 - 16:35
Looks pretty cool. I'm moving between PCs a lot, so I just might pick this one up when it becomes available here.
#22 klatz on 31 Mar 2005 - 03:33
woah nice!
#23 Gulfisland on 31 Mar 2005 - 05:52
gad, with my digital camera I fill up 5 gigs in one day of shooting.. I need 1000 GiGs filled every few months..

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