A Solid Choice for Your Files: This 2TB HDD Delivers Where It Counts
I was drowning in a sea of cloud storage and scattered files across multiple devices. That's when I realized I needed a reliable external hard drive to keep my digital life organized. And let's be real, hard drives are still the best value for money, especially when you consider their reliability and long lifespan. With SSD prices skyrocketing due to chip shortages, traditional hard drives are more relevant than ever - even if their prices are still on the rise.
For me, the decision to opt for an external hard drive was a no-brainer. I'd already had one external hard drive, the Seagate STCD500202 Slim Portable Drive 500 GB, but it had some major issues: 500 GB wasn't enough for my photo archive, and the USB port had started to loosen up, so I didn't want to risk losing important data. In the end, I just plugged it into my router as a network media storage device, and bought a new Seagate Expansion with more storage - 2 TB. It's not a lot by today's standards, but with proper storage management, it gives me a decent buffer.
Form factor: 2.5">
Capacity: 2 TB
Interface: USB 3.2 Gen 1
The Seagate Expansion STKM2000400 is a pretty standard HDD: it's compact, has decent specs, and a good balance of price and quality. It looks neat too: the ribbed plastic casing and silver Seagate logo give it a sleek look. This drive would look great as a connected peripheral to a PC or another device.
This hard drive is pretty compact and lightweight, so you could use it as a portable storage device - like a big flash drive. Just remember it's not shockproof and doesn't come with any extra protection. Any bumps or vibrations can be bad news for HDDs if you want to use them long-term. So, be careful. The transparent plastic case it comes with is actually pretty useful for storing the drive, and it closes securely.
Dimensions: 80x115.3x12.6 mm
Weight: 275 g
USB cable length: about 40 cm.
Connecting the drive to your computer is a breeze. It recognizes it instantly, no extra drivers needed. There's a small LED light on the side to indicate it's working. It's super quiet and doesn't get hot, even when I plug it directly into the PC's casing. The cable's about 40 cm long.
It comes formatted with ExFAT by default, and there's a built-in utility installed. I didn't bother reformatting it; I just started copying my files over. The actual capacity is 1.81 TB, which is pretty normal.
I've only transferred 136 GB so far, so the drive's only 7% full. I'm transferring my files gradually, sorting through old photos and revising my archives as I go. This process is going to take a while.
Speed-wise, I'm thoroughly impressed. The drive works smoothly and consistently, making it a great option for a permanent storage solution. That being said, it's worth noting that when dealing with large files and significant storage capacity, the drive's processing speed may take a hit. However, for archiving purposes and occasional file access, this hard drive performs flawlessly.
I ran some tests using CrystalDisk for illustration purposes, and the results align with the manufacturer's claims.
Read speed: 109.9 MB/s
Write speed: 108.9 MB/s
Interface bandwidth: 5 Gb/s
I've been using the Seagate Expansion HDD 2 TB [STKM2000400] for several months now, and it's been a reliable companion. Most of the time, it just sits idle, waiting to be connected to my PC for data transfer or access. While only time will tell about its long-term durability, my past experiences with Seagate have given me confidence in storing valuable information. All things considered, this hard drive is an excellent choice for its generous 2 TB capacity and decent read/write speeds.
For those looking for a reliable external hard drive, I'd definitely recommend the Seagate Expansion STKM2000400. It's a great deal for the price, and its compact design makes it easy to use as a portable storage device. Just remember to handle it with care, as HDDs can be prone to damage if dropped or subjected to excessive vibrations.
In the end, I'm very satisfied with my purchase, and I'd highly recommend this hard drive to anyone in need of a reliable external storage solution.
Rating: 4.5/5
Great value for the price
Compact design
Decent read/write speeds
Reliable companion
Not shockproof
No extra protection
Processing speed may take a hit with large files