Customer Reviews

SimpleTech 500GB SimpleDrive Pro USB 2.0/eSata External Hard Drive (FP-UFE/500)

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

I've been going through many externals, and explored many different views. I know many people have done so too and seen mixed reviews as I have. If you are confused on what external to blow your money on, this is the one. This is just so simple, it doesn't have any crazy complex features. It's basically an awesome standard storage. It's so fast. So simple. So good. It's the best damn thing my eyes have ever seen.

Very simple to use and reliable external hard drive. I've been using it for 2 month already - very satisfied.

I bought this Simpletech hard drive on Amazon, upon arrival and opening the packaging it was obvious there was a loose fastener inside the unit.I called Simpletech that day and talked to a gentleman in the tech dept., who told me they thought all those units were recalled, to go to the website and fill in the form and request return shipping and they would be happy to replace it. The forms were filled in that day with a note requesting return shipping, I never received a reply, so I called 3 days later, the gentleman said he sent a reply by email as we spoke. No reply, 2 days later I called again, fairly hot, the next day I received an email stating all my liability and that I was responsible for all shipping. I promptly sent a email back to Simpletech explaining the situation and I would be sending a review of this product to Amazon, the unit was never used, was repackaged upon arrival, so I returned it to Amazon only after getting no satisfaction from Simpletech. I did get a call on my cell phone from a tech at Simpletech a few days later apoligizing and offering to make good on my purchase and to pay shipping. When there were previous complaints on this product Amazon should have checked there stocks serial numbers and returned them, Simpletech needs to seriously improve their customer service and the lack of action by employees. This was a complete waste of time and a very poor experience with a company I had confidence in. I never was able to use the drive so I can't comment on the quality. I'm glad Amazon has a solid return policy.

So far, since Christmas morning when I received this drive, all I have is a drive that sounds like a baby's rattle. I have been in contact with the company via email and it has been a VERY slow process to get this thing returned and another not rattling one sent to me. I will up date this review when and if I get satisfaction. I am a patient person, but to a point.

Other than the initial loading of backup software I've been using File Explorer to organize for my own specific uses. Most of the digital photography I had on the internal drive of my laptop has been filed away on the SimpleTech Drive and given me back some 45GB of an 80GB drive. I've also changed the location of programs on my Desktop to the new drive and things load up much faster than with the 4200 rpm drive in the laptop. Anyway it's great so far. In effect I'm using my laptops internal drive as a backup to the main files of the operating system and every day programs. They offer a system of backup on a safe external server, but I haven't made use of that at this time. The drive is a little noisy, thus the 4 star rating, but when my laptop is sleeping the external drive quiets down to where it can't be heard. I have the drive resting, on it's side rather than on the rubber paded feet it has on it's underbelly. The drive is connected with the USB cable that came with it, but I hope to get an ESATA cable soon, especially since I already installed an adapter that enbled my laptop to recieve it. The local computer shop never heard of an "external" SATA cable before, but once it's installed it could make a significant difference in data transfer speeds. If it does it will be one of the benefits of this "Pro" model which has both USB and ESATA ports. Enjoy!

I must admit, i never actually got to test this unit. The first one arrived with a screw rattling around in the case and you could hear the drive moving around. I instantly returned it for another one only to have the second one arrive in exactly the same condition. I showed it to my IT friend to see if i was just being crazy, he said he wouldn't even plug it in. so i returned the second one as well. When this is supposed to be a back up solution, it does not instill a lot of confidence when the drive is chunking around loose in the case. I will most likely never buy a Simpletech product ever again.