by 448 reviews.
Seagate Ultra Touch HDD 2TB External Hard Drive Review: A Stylish and Sustainable Storage Solution
The Seagate Ultra Touch HDD 2TB External Hard Drive is a standout in the world of portable storage devices. Combining eco-conscious design with robust performance, this hard drive is crafted with 30% post-consumer recycled materials and features 100% recyclable packaging, making it a sustainable choice for tech enthusiasts. Its sleek Cloud White finish and compact form factor make it a stylish addition to any workspace or travel bag.
With 2TB of storage capacity, this drive is perfect for backing up large files, photos, videos, and more. It’s universally compatible with PC, Mac, and Chromebook, thanks to its USB-C connectivity, and includes premium features like AES-256 hardware encryption, password protection, and Rescue Data Recovery Services. Additionally, it comes with a 6-month Mylio Photos subscription and a 6-month Dropbox Backup Plan, offering extra value for users who need cloud storage and photo organization tools.
Pros and Cons: What Customers Are Saying
1. Design and Build Quality
The Seagate Ultra Touch HDD has received praise for its eco-friendly design and stylish appearance. Customers appreciate the use of recycled materials and the drive’s lightweight, portable form factor. One reviewer noted, "The USB-C connector is a great benefit. Most portable drives use USB Micro B connectors, which are prone to failure. This design is much more durable."
However, some users have mentioned that the drive’s smooth, nature-inspired design can make it slippery to handle. A protective case is recommended for added durability during travel.
2. Performance and Speed
When it comes to performance, the Seagate Ultra Touch HDD delivers reliable speeds for everyday use. One satisfied customer shared, "This drive is a little more expensive, but the speeds are worth it! Love it!" Another user highlighted its efficiency for Time Machine backups, stating, "It’s not the fastest for transferring terabytes of data, but for offloading and backups, it does the job perfectly."
That said, if you’re looking for lightning-fast transfer speeds, this may not be the best choice. It’s designed for general storage and backup needs rather than high-performance tasks.
3. Compatibility and Ease of Use
The drive’s universal USB-C compatibility is a major plus, allowing it to work seamlessly with PC, Mac, and Chromebook. Customers have praised its plug-and-play functionality, with one reviewer stating, "Plug and play. Great backup drive. Recently retired and had tons of files to back up from my 25 years—this drive worked great."
For Windows users, formatting the drive as NTFS is recommended to avoid limitations with the default exFAT format. One user explained, "The NTFS format allows some file types that exFAT cannot handle. When backing up a large collection of files, there’s a good chance you’ll encounter files that exFAT doesn’t support."
4. Data Security and Additional Features
The AES-256 hardware encryption and password protection features have been well-received, with one customer stating, "The password-protected feature and portability are great! Highly recommend!"
The inclusion of Rescue Data Recovery Services provides peace of mind, though some users have reported issues with Seagate’s customer service. One frustrated reviewer shared, "I received a defective drive and had to deal with poor customer service. Charging clients to ship back a defective product should be illegal. If it’s defective, return shipping should be on Seagate’s dime, not mine."
5. Value for Money
While the Seagate Ultra Touch HDD is slightly more expensive than some competitors, customers feel the premium features justify the cost. The 6-month Mylio Photos subscription and Dropbox Backup Plan add significant value, especially for users who need cloud storage and photo organization tools.
However, the higher price point may deter budget-conscious buyers, particularly if they don’t need the additional features.
Conclusion: Is the Seagate Ultra Touch HDD Worth It?
The Seagate Ultra Touch HDD 2TB External Hard Drive is a solid choice for anyone seeking a stylish, eco-friendly, and reliable storage solution. Its USB-C compatibility, password protection, and included software subscriptions make it a versatile option for both personal and professional use.
However, the drive’s higher price point and mixed customer service experiences are worth considering. If you’re looking for a budget-friendly option or need ultra-fast transfer speeds, you might want to explore alternatives.
Final Verdict
If you value sustainability, design, and premium features, the Seagate Ultra Touch HDD is an excellent investment. Just be prepared to handle potential customer service challenges if you encounter any issues.
Specification Seagate Ultra Touch HDD, 2TB, Externe harde schijf, Mac & Chromebook, gerecycled materiaal, USB-C-compatibiliteit met pc, Dropbox en Mylio inbegrepen, Cloud White, Data Rescue Service (STMA2000400):
Comments from Amazon:
The USB C connector is a great benefit of the Seagate Ultra Touch HDD 5TB. Most portable drives like this use a USB Micro B connector on the drive. The USB Micro B connector has a long history of early failures due to a design which is not very strong and a wide profile that allows the user to apply a force with leverage that over time breaks wires in the connector. For some reason, typical reviewers of portable HDDs focus on cost only and ignore this problem with USB Micro B connectors. For Windows users, save yourself some future trouble and format as NTFS. The NTFS format allows some file types that the default exFAT format cannot handle. When you back up a large collection of files, there is a good chance that there are one or more files that exFAT does not handle.
While I have a desktop, I have and use 2 laptops, on for work and the other for personal use. I use this drive for Time Machine backups and archiving my downloads folders. I always set up my external drives for us on a Mac. That process is quick! Now, this drive isn't speedy if you are transferring terabytes of data to it? But when doing off loading and Time Machine backups, this drive does the job! If I fill this drive up before the end of the year? I will purchase another, organize the files by month and year. Portability is great, as long as you purchase a hard case for this product! I have MVME SSD drives I use for traveling with.
I received the drive and it continually threw up file errors regardless of the computer or cable I used. Called tech support who confirmed it was defective. Was told they would ship one in7-10 days, and then I would ship the bad one back. No one said shipping would be at my expense. Called 15 days later about not receiving the replacement. Was first told, 'Well RMA was only created 2 days ago, you need to give us time.' I provided proof of the original conversation that it had been OVER 15 days. Then they switched tack, and told me I had to ship it to them, first, on my own dime (contradicting their 1st set of instructions) before they'd send out a replacement. At this point, I realized I could just ship it back to Amazon FOR FREE and take the credit and buy a drive from a different manufacturer. Of course, I could have shipped it back to Amazon for free, and asked for a replacement as well (but they had pissed me off by this point). So, in the future, why bother to even use technical support for a defective product when I can get it more easily replaced through Amazon itself? Charging clients to ship back a defective product should be illegal. If it is defective, return shipping should be on Seagate's dime, not mine.
This drive is a little more expensive but the speeds are worth it! Love it!
Plug and play. Great back up drive. Recently retired and had tons of files to back up from my 25yrs - this drive worked great.
The password protected feature and portability are great! Highly recommend!
This hard drive is amazing. The usb c to usb c feature is also very cool. It allows for much faster transfers and is super convenient. Runs almost silently. Has a small form factor. Functions as advertised.