Seagate Backup Plus 3 TB USB 3.0 Desktop External Hard Drive (STCA3000101)

by Seagate

• Keep copies of your precious digital files, in case disaster strikes
• Impressive 3 TB storage capacity
• Save feature enables user-generated content to be backed up from your favorite social network
• Share feature allows multiple files to be uploaded to social networks at once from your computer
• Install the pre-loaded NTFS driver for Mac and use the drive interchangeably between PC and Mac computers without reformatting
• Features USB 3.0 for quick data transfer rates; upgrade to Thunderbolt technology or FireWire 800 with the available additional adapter

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 6.2 x 4.9 x 1.7 inches ; 2.4 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 2.7 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B00829THQE
• Item model number: STCA3000101
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (736 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank:
  • #8 in Electronics > Computers & Add-Ons > Data Storage > External Hard Drives
  • #33 in Electronics > Computers & Add-Ons > Computer Components
• Date first available at Amazon.com: June 12, 2012

Product Description

Size: 3 TB

From the Manufacturer

Back Up Your Digital Life

Powered Performance

Transfer large files at the speed of life. With up to 30% faster transfer speeds and capacities up to 2x larger than portable drives, the Backup Plus Desktop drive is everything you want.

Create a backup plan with a single click for a set-it-and-forget-it solution

Unique adapter lets you quickly upgrade or change the drive's interface

The Seagate Backup Plus desktop drive delivers easy-to-use, high-capacity, flexible protection for your files. This drive also works seamlessly with your social media accounts so it's simple to back up and share your online photos, movies and more.

The Seagate Dashboard makes it simple to share your files with online social networks

Backup Plus desktop drive delivers easy-to-use, high-capacity, flexible protection for your files

One-Click Custom Backup Plans

The Backup Plus desktop drive comes pre-loaded with premium backup software included in the easy-to-use Seagate Dashboard. Create a backup plan with a single click using the 'Protect Now' feature for a set-it-and-forget-it solution. Quickly create custom backup plans to protect your files. Easy backup scheduling options include daily, weekly, monthly or specific times.

Save Your Social Life

The Seagate Dashboard makes it simple to share or save files associated with online social networks including Flickr, Facebook and YouTube. Automatically download copies of your photos, movies and more from social networking sites to your drive, and share files by simply clicking on your social network's icon within the Seagate Dashboard. Easily share multiple files with your social networks at the same time.

Powerfully Flexible

The Backup Plus desktop drive features a unique adapter system that lets you quickly and cost-effectively upgrade or change the drive's interface. Take advantage of the newest, fastest connections--now and in the future: Choose from USB 3.0 (included), USB 2.0, Thunderbolt technology and Firewire 800.

What's in the Box?

Seagate Backup Plus desktop drive, preloaded Seagate Dashboard, quick start guide, USB 3.0 adapter with capacity gauge, 5-foot (150 cm) USB 3.0 cable, power supply.

System Requirements

Compatible operating systems are Windows 8, Windows 7, Windows Vista, Windows XP SP3 (32-bit and 64-bit) and Mac OS X 10.6 or higher (reformatting for Mac may be required).

There's a Seagate Backup Plus Drive that's Perfect for Every Backup Need

Backup Plus Portable Drive	Backup Plus Desktop Drive	Backup Plus for Mac Portable Drive	Backup Plus for Mac Desktop Drive
Big Backup. Small Package. With capacities up to 1.5TB, the Backup Plus portable drive makes it easy to take along plenty of extra storage.	Space to spare. Capacities up to 4TB make the Backup Plus desktop drive the simple solution when your digital life goes big.	Ready to roll with your Mac computer. The Backup Plus for Mac portable drive is compatible with Time Machine backup software straight out of the box.	Massive Mac backup. Straight-out-of-the-box Time Machine software compatibility meets massive capacities in the Backup Plus for Mac desktop drive.

Product Description

The Seagate Backup Plus desktop external hard drive simplifies backup for consumers who want to protect their entire digital life locally, in the cloud or from social networks. Via the Seagate Dashboard, use the Protect function to set up a one-click plan or customize your scheduled local backup. Keep multiple copies of your files in case disaster strikes. With the Save feature, user-generated content can be backed up from your favorite social networks. Many people now use their smartphones to capture priceless moments. While these devices are handy and readily available, storage is not their strong suit. Capture a memory, post it on a social networking site and let the Seagate Dashboard automatically back up any content posted. Even if the file gets accidentally deleted from the device, another copy can be waiting. The Share feature allows multiple files to be uploaded to social networks at once from your computer. The days of uploading individual files without creating a new album are gone! Simply select files to upload, choose where to post them and even add comments. Managing your social profile has never been easier. Install the pre-loaded NTFS driver for Mac, and use the drive interchangeably between PC and Mac computers without reformatting the drive. For even more flexibility, with the Seagate Backup Plus design, you can upgrade from the included USB 3.0 interface to Thunderbolt technology or FireWire 800 with the available additional adapter. Ships with: Seagate Backup Plus Drive, Seagate Dashboard pre-loaded on drive, NTFS driver for Mac pre-loaded on drive, USB 3.0 interface adapter with capacity gauge, 4-foot USB 3.0 cable, Power adapter, Quick start guide, 2-year limited warranty. System Requirements: System Requirements: Windows® 8, Windows® 7, Windows Vista®, Windows XP SP3 (32-bit and 64-bit) operating system or Mac OS X 10.6 or higher (reformatting for Mac may be required), SuperSpeed USB 3.0 port (required for USB 3.0 transfer speeds or backwards compatible with USB 2.0 ports at USB 2.0 transfer speeds; compatibility may vary depending upon user's configuration and operating system).

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

142 of 150 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Tons of ROOM! (A Review for People Who only want the Space) October 10, 2012

By SilentEvil

Size Name:3 TB|Amazon Verified Purchase

I understand that there's some back and forth over whether or not this unit is compatible with Windows Backup (due to sector sizes and blah, blah, blah). I don't use Windows Backup and have no intention to do so (I like to keep track of my files myself), therefore, I can't comment on the compatibility issue one way or the other. Other reviewers have also commented on the the Seagate Dashboard...I haven't used it either. So, you might be wondering why I'm bothering with this review.

I'm writing this for one reason...all I wanted was oodles of storage space, and this External HDD delivers in spades.

Seagate has been the only brand of External HDD I've ever used, and every drive I've purchased has functioned as intended (even my first Seagate External HDD, a 120gb model that's nearly 10 years old now, still works to this day). I don't mean to sound like a brainwashed fanboy, but I've never been disappointed with a Seagate drive.

I've seen some people mention their HDD not showing up as a single drive (enough so that I was worried mine would do the same)...but I'm running Vista 64 Home Premium and my PC reads the entire disk as one 2.7tb drive.

So far, I haven't been able to test the USB 3.0 capabilities as my PC only has 2.0 ports. This drive was my first step toward upgrading my rig...I figured having all the files I wanted to keep on a 3.0 compatible drive would make swapping over faster when I make the step up to a 3.0 capable machine. I guess we'll see, but my expectations are high. By the way, used solely as a 2.0 drive, it works just fine.

Aesthetically, it looks nice. I could have done without the 4 bar "fill" meter on the front (and the math needed to determine how 3tb [or rather, 2.7tb] is divided equally between the 4 bars...*joking*), but I'm not complaining about it either. The base of the unit (the obvious "this end down" part) is detachable, allowing you to plug in separately purchased adapters for (I think) firewire and/or lightningbolt.

My particular unit has been in service since the very beginning of August. I've used it every day moving all sorts of files (videos, music, games), and I've never had even the slightest hiccup.

Final Thoughts:

I don't know about all of the extra (and, in my opinion, useless) bells and whistles, but, used purely as storage, this thing has tons of room, and I've been very happy with it.

Update: 5/20/13 My 3tb is still chugging along without a problem. I recently purchased the 4tb model, and it's doing just fine as well.

237 of 256 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Compatible with my GoFlex FW800 and other adapters, Speedy June 18, 2012

By L. Ganz

Size Name:3 TB|Amazon Verified Purchase

I have been happy with my 3TB GoFlex drive for keeping my active iTunes Library and other multimedia files. I was backing it up onto a 2TB GoFlex to store off-site where it would be safe, until 2TB was too small to hold everything. For a while I split the backup across a pair of 2TB drives, but wanted to give one of the 2TB to my daughter for college. I have a multitude of portable Seagate GoFlex drives as well, and none have failed me yet. So I bought the new 3TB Backup Plus so I could simply clone the 3TB iTunes drive in one step.

I used the Mac OSX Lion Disk Utility to re-partition the Drive as "HFS+ Journaled", instead of the NTFS that it came formatted with. Then I did a test and copied a 16GB folder to it and it was pretty speedy (under 10 minutes on an old iMac). But this time I installed the Seagate software for the extra features, which I never did before with my other Seagate drives. BAD IDEA. I couldn't clone my first drive without the receiving drive switching to READ ONLY after between 2-16 GB transferred. Sometimes the drive would just stop responding.

I did a search and found that this is a universal problem with people all over - the drives work great on Mac unless you install the Seagate Dashboard software. I found instructions to manually remove the software, and every thing is fine now. On a faster Macbook Pro with Caldigit USB 3.0 Express Card from Amazon (1/3 - 1/2 the speed of Native USB 3.0) I was able to see speeds over 180 GB/hour copying files from another Seagate drive on the FW800 port, and approximately 270 GB/Hr from the internal drive.

In Summary - This is a great drive but I MUST WARN MAC USERS TO AVOID THE SEAGATE SOFTWARE FOR NOW, unless you think you are experienced enough to trouble shoot issues afterwards. If the Software hadn't bungled things up this would be rated a 5. If I hadn't figured out the software issue it would have been a 1.

151 of 162 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Happy with the drive June 20, 2012

By James M. Koury

Size Name:3 TB|Amazon Verified Purchase

I bought the 3 TB drive to back up my Dell XPS 15 750MB hard drive as well as to store my ever increasing inventory of video files. It seamed like a great price for $149

The hard drive came with Seagate software called Dashboard for backing up user document files. It was easy and worked well. It created a backup of my document directory and gave me the option for having both added or changed files updated at a time of my choosing.

What happened next was more of a Microsoft issue than Seagate. When trying to use Windows 7 backup to create a disc image on the Seagate, it kept failing halfway through giving me error messages. This happened to me before on other large external hard drives over 2TB, so I thought I would fix it by partitioning the drive into a 750GB and 2.25TB drives. I then tried to back it up on the 750GB partition but had the same problem. It took me 2 hours to figure out Windows 7 backup will not work with these hard drive because of the way the sectors are sized. I did however find a free Seagate program called Seagate Disc Wizard that you can download for free at Seagate's website that will create a disc image backup without this issue.

Pros
- Seagate Dashboard is great for backing up and recovering individual user files and Disc Wizard for creating disc images in case of system failure
- Its quiet
- Its fast. Created a 320GB disc image in about 45 min.
- Runs cool after 1 hour of continuous backup
- Great pricing
- There are 5 lights on the front that illuminate sequentially as the hard drive fills up

Cons
- No stand so if you stand it upright it can easily tip over
- There is an activity light on the front that is supposed to tell you when the unit is in use, but it only flashes from full brightness to 75% brightness (instead of going fully out) so its hard to tell when the hard drive is in use when viewed from over 2 feet away.

Happy and would buy again