Maxtor OneTouch 4 Mini 160 GB USB 2.0 Portable External Hard Drive STM901603OTA3E1-RK by Seagate
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Digital camera reviews of Maxtor OneTouch 4 Mini 160 GB USB 2.0 Portable External Hard Drive STM901603OTA3E1-RK
Digital camera Review: Poor backup option in image mode
Summary: 2 Stars
If you purchased this drive and software (as I did) to restore after system crashes you may be in for a rude surprise - the included Safetydrill software does not (as claimed) delete older versions of backups as required to make space for newer ones, instead it MOVES them to an (undocumented) history folder on the same drive and new backups fail for lack of space... with the failure producing only an inconspicuous error message that could be easily overlooked by unsophisticated users.
At first I found it unbelievable that automatic backup space management was unavailable in Saftydrill, but this was confirmed by Seagate/Maxtor Tech support, making this the least capable backup "solution" I've encountered in the last decade.
So... it you buy this for image-type backups an intend to use the included software be aware after the first few uses it will be *your* responsibility to manage your backup space by manually deleting older backups as required!
Digital camera Review: Reliable, Compact, Lightweight, AutoBackup
Summary: 5 Stars
This drive is compact, light weight, reliable and very portable.
Perhaps the best feature is the included software that allows you to encrypt the drive the data is protected from prying eyes if your misplace or lose the drive.
The included software; that is loaded on the drive, can also sync the drive with your PC, automatically backup the drive and/or create an image of the drive for a full system restore.
So far, so good. In fact I will be purchasing a second drive to keep at home, as I use this drive when I travel.
Digital camera Review: Software not compatible with Windows 7
Summary: 2 Stars
I've been using this for over a year and have been happy with it. However, the software is not completely compatible with windows 7, so you cannot password protect/encypt the drive. Maxtor/Seagate will not be updating the software to work with windows 7. very frustrating.Digital camera Review: Solid Little Device
Summary: 4 Stars
It backs up your material really easily. It took me a while to figure out how the software was mapping my drives, but after the backup schedule is established you push a button and it works.Digital camera Review: Still going strong after 2 years
Summary: 4 Stars
This was the first external hard drive I bought and got it primarily because I wanted to be able to transfer files back and forth from work to home easily. In particularly, I was interested in having my music files loaded onto a single drive so I could listen to them at work and not have to carry CDs back and forth.
I have also used it to back up my documents, desktop, pictures etc.
Since I'm very comfortable with my computer skills, I did not need or use the backup software. I installed it the first time and it seemed awkward and bloated so I quit using that aspect of the system and just transferred the files I needed manually, which works great.
Despite it going back and forth to the office with me and spending extended periods of time living in my briefcase, I have had no reliability issues. I love the compact size and and low profile.
My only quibble with it is that it has to be plugged directly into your computers USB drive and not a USB hub in order to draw enough power. I even had a USB hub that had its own separate power supply and that wasn't enough to power this drive. And you will know when it doesn't have enough power -- it will emit a VERY LOUD BEEP which sounds like a fire alarm with low batteries.
I'm very satisfied with the drive and surprised by the number of low ratings... I guess I must have gotten lucky! Regardless, I would not hesitate to buy another Maxtor drive again.
[NCJAR]