Which USB 2.0 drive should I check when FireWire is a bonus?

The advantages and the compromises

The key details

Model covered

301870

Advertised capacity

500GB advertised capacity

Drive configuration

Portable 2.5-inch HDD

Host connection

USB 2.0, FireWire 400 and FireWire 800

Advertised capacity is nominal and usable space is lower after formatting. Published maximum transfer figures are source claims, not measured results for your computer or workload.

Will one of its listed ports fit your host?

Newegg's exact-model listing identifies USB 2.0, FireWire 400, and FireWire 800 for reference 301870. That gives an older computer or workflow a reason to consider it when one of those actual host connections is available. A connector that looks similar is not enough to establish a working path: the source does not verify a FireWire-to-modern-host adapter, driver, or operating-system combination. If the computer you use requires USB-C or another current interface, confirm the complete connection chain before buying. The listed interface is evidence about this model's ports, not a compatibility test on today's equipment.

Is 500GB enough for the job?

This is an advertised 500GB hard disk in a portable 2.5-inch format, not a high-capacity desktop archive. It can suit a modest set of files, a limited transfer job, or a secondary copy for an older computer. It is a poor fit when the current collection already approaches that nominal capacity or is expected to grow quickly. Formatted usable space is lower than the advertised figure. The saved source gives no measured transfer result for a particular host, and the interface names should not be used to promise a specific copy time.

Does the attached USB lead make travel easier?

The exact listing describes an extractable USB cable integrated into the enclosure and a removable cap. For moving between desks, an attached lead can mean one less ordinary cable to remember, while the cap covers the connector area in storage. Those details describe convenience, not drop protection, water resistance, cable durability, or the condition of a used unit. The archived retailer package list also names separate FireWire cables and a USB power-sharing cable, but that is not evidence about what a current seller will include. Ask for the actual cable and accessory list if FireWire or a low-powered USB port is central to the setup.

What do the old software and power notes establish?

The retail page lists Mac OS X 10.5 or later and Windows 2000, XP, and Vista. These are historical requirements, not a promise that the drive or its bundled utilities will work with a current system. The Little Disk family datasheet describes USB power for USB-only models, but its model table does not include 301870; that power statement must not be transferred to this FireWire-equipped version. The exact listing's archived box contents mention a power-sharing cable for low-powered USB ports, which still does not establish the present drive's power behavior or the accessories supplied with a particular used unit. Confirm both with the seller.

What should you confirm before ordering a 301870?

The source row's historical ASIN B002SOKFMO is not a current exact-model mapping. Use a tagged model search, then compare the seller's complete reference, black 500GB configuration, and interface list with the 301870 identity. Ask whether the unit has been tested, what USB and FireWire cables are included, how it is powered, and what return terms apply. The saved material does not establish an individual drive's health, current price, availability, or operating-system support. If the seller cannot answer the connection and condition questions, a better-documented model that matches the computer you use today is a safer fit.

Before you decide

The advantages and the compromises

The key details

Model covered

HTOLDNB30001BBB

Advertised capacity

3000GB

Drive configuration

7200 RPM desktop HDD; model HTOLDNB30001BBB / SKU 0S03238

Host connection

USB 3.0; USB 2.0 compatible

Advertised capacity is nominal and usable space is lower after formatting. Published maximum transfer figures are source claims, not measured results for your computer or workload.

A specific North American desktop configuration

The model code matters. HGST's datasheet separates regional Touro Desk Pro configurations and maps the North American 3000GB entry to HTOLDNB30001BBB and SKU 0S03238. Keeping those identifiers together helps distinguish this drive from similarly named Touro products in other capacities or regions. The sheet describes a stackable desktop hard drive, not a pocket model, so it fits more naturally on a workstation shelf than in a travel pouch. Its 3TB figure is nominal capacity; HGST notes that formatting, partitioning, and the computer's operating system affect accessible space. Check the seller's label against the full model before treating a search result as this exact configuration.

USB compatibility without a speed promise

HGST specifies USB 3.0 compliance and USB 2.0 compatibility. That gives an owner of an older USB 2.0 computer a documented connection path, while a USB 3.0 host can use the stated interface. The datasheet says USB 3.0 is needed for maximum performance, but it does not provide a comparable measured transfer rate for a particular host, cable, workload, or drive. Treat compatibility as a connection fact, not a speed guarantee. Before buying an older example, inspect the connector and cable; the original package included a USB 3.0 cable described as backward compatible, but the document cannot show what a present seller still includes.

Capacity and physical placement

Three terabytes can hold a larger archive than a small legacy disk, but it remains a fixed ceiling and will not provide three terabytes of accessible files after formatting. The datasheet gives dimensions of 129 by 183 by 60 millimeters and describes a stackable enclosure. Those measurements help check whether the unit can sit where you plan to use it. HGST lists 7200 RPM, which describes the drive specification; it is not a health assessment or a sustained-speed test. The sources do not establish a particular unit's noise, temperature, remaining life, or condition, so do not turn the model specification into a claim about an individual used drive.

Old backup software is not a current benefit

The 2012 datasheet describes preloaded local and cloud backup, including an initial 3GB cloud allowance and an optional paid 250GB tier. Those are launch-era terms. The saved source does not confirm that the software can still be downloaded, that the cloud service remains available, or that its listed operating-system requirements cover a current computer. Treat the drive hardware and historical software bundle as separate things. Anyone using this unit for ongoing protection should select and verify a currently supported backup application independently rather than relying on an old bundled name.

Check the individual unit and host

The product document lists Windows XP, Vista, and 7, plus Intel-based Macs running Mac OS X 10.5 or newer, with a USB 2.0 or 3.0 port. Those dated requirements are not proof of present-day support. The source packet also does not establish the drive's power arrangement, the condition of a specific example, its current warranty eligibility, or which accessories a seller includes. Confirm the model label, cable, power needs, and host recognition before relying on a unit. Make a test copy and read files back before using it for an important archive; those are prudent checks for an old drive, not tests performed for this review.

Use it as one part of a backup plan

A 3TB desktop disk can serve as one copy of files that fit its usable capacity, but a single drive remains one point of failure. Keep irreplaceable material in another independent location and verify that a restore works. Its HDD label and nominal capacity describe the configuration; they do not establish reliability or make it suitable as the only copy. A buyer maintaining a compatible older setup may value the documented USB options more than newer features. Someone building a fresh long-term workflow should first confirm current software support and the condition of the specific unit, then compare it with products whose present support is documented.

Before you decide

The advantages and the compromises

The key details

Model covered

STJD500400

Advertised capacity

500GB

Drive configuration

Portable solid-state drive

Host connection

USB 3.0, backward compatible with USB 2.0

Advertised capacity is nominal and usable space is lower after formatting. Published maximum transfer figures are source claims, not measured results for your computer or workload.

A compact SSD for everyday file movement

The STJD500400 is an external solid-state drive, not a mechanical hard disk. Seagate maps the model to 500GB and describes its Expansion SSD as small, light, and intended for portable storage. The datasheet lists a 75 × 55.5 × 10mm body and 131g weight, which gives a concrete sense of its carry size without implying that it is indestructible. It can suit someone moving a working set of documents, photos, or project files between compatible computers. Its 500GB capacity is the first practical constraint: measure your actual data set rather than treating the SSD label as a reason to buy.

Check the connection and the speed claim

Seagate specifies a USB 3.0 port for USB 3.0 transfer rates and backward compatibility with USB 2.0 at USB 2.0 rates. That makes the host port an important part of the purchase. B&H's exact-MFR listing gives an “up to 400 MB/s” figure; that is a published maximum, not a result we measured and not a guarantee for every cable, file pattern, computer, or drive condition. If an old computer only provides USB 2.0, the drive can still connect according to the datasheet, but it will operate at the older interface rate. Confirm your port and cable before expecting the highest published transfer claim.

Portable power, with a cable to keep track of

B&H identifies this model as bus-powered, and Seagate lists a short USB 3.0 cable in the box. That avoids carrying a separate power brick, a useful difference from the two desktop-oriented products in this small group. The tradeoff is that a cable remains part of the setup, and a 20cm cable may be awkward if the computer's ports are crowded or positioned behind a display. The manufacturer dimensions and weight describe the drive itself, not the whole carry kit. A small pouch or a longer compatible cable may be useful, but verify cable requirements before substituting one.

Compatibility and formatting need care

The datasheet lists Windows 7 or later and macOS 10.12 or later, while cautioning that compatibility varies with the computer and operating system. It says reformatting for Apple's Time Machine may be required. That is a practical setup question to settle before moving a long-term backup onto the drive: confirm the intended filesystem and any data already stored, because reformatting erases existing content. The datasheet lists a three-year limited warranty for the model family, but it cannot establish warranty eligibility for a used device or an offer today. The historical title's Rescue Service phrase is not supported by the manufacturer sheet, so it is excluded from this review.

Capacity and performance are different decisions

An SSD's small body and solid-state construction make it attractive for a frequently carried work set. The 500GB capacity is not a substitute for a larger archive disk when the data collection is measured in terabytes. Likewise, a maximum transfer claim alone does not tell you sustained performance under your workload. Video editing, backup, and many-small-file transfers stress storage differently, and the product source does not publish a guaranteed result for a particular workload. Pick it because compact SSD storage at this capacity and interface fits your task; do not extrapolate from the model name to a benchmark we do not have.

Who should shortlist it

Shortlist the Expansion SSD if USB connectivity, bus power, a small body, and a 500GB work set align with your routine. It is the easiest of these three to carry according to its product dimensions, but it does not offer the 1TB capacity or Thunderbolt array layout of the LaCie, and it is not the 400GB powered 3.5-inch HDD represented by the Pushbutton Backup. None is a universal winner: choose the connection and storage role you can actually support. Before purchase, verify that a current listing is the STJD500400 500GB model and confirm any warranty and condition terms directly.

Before you decide

The advantages and the compromises

The key details

Model covered

ST9160821U2-RK

Advertised capacity

160GB

Drive configuration

2.5-inch, 5400 RPM HDD; ST9160821U2-RK

Host connection

USB 2.0

Advertised capacity is nominal and usable space is lower after formatting. Published maximum transfer figures are source claims, not measured results for your computer or workload.

Is this the exact 160GB Seagate model?

The model code is the useful identity boundary. Seagate's support page lists ST9160821U2-RK as a USB 2.0 160GB Portable External Hard Drive and gives its 5400 RPM spindle speed and 8MB cache. The old source-row ASIN is only a historical clue; it does not establish that a current Amazon result is this exact model. Keep the complete code with the capacity when checking an offer, and compare the label on the actual unit. A nearby Seagate portable listing can have a different capacity or interface even when the family name looks similar.

Will USB 2.0 fit the computer you plan to use?

This model's documented primary connection is USB 2.0. That is a clear fit only when the host offers a usable USB path and recognizes the drive; the source does not establish present-day support for every computer, operating system, adapter, or dock. USB 2.0 also sets an older interface ceiling for large copies. The 5400 RPM and 8MB cache entries identify the drive, but neither is a measured file-transfer speed. If the routine involves frequent large backups, compare a newer documented connection and confirm the host path before choosing.

How much work fits on 160GB?

The 160GB figure is nominal capacity, not a promise of 160GB of free file space after formatting. It can be enough for a narrowly defined older document set or a small transfer, but it leaves little room for growth compared with the 400GB Pushbutton Backup, 500GB Expansion SSD, 1TB LaCie configuration, or 3TB HGST model in this current comparison. Those larger capacities belong to different interfaces, storage types, and power arrangements, so size alone does not make them interchangeable. Start with the actual data set and leave headroom rather than treating the advertised number as usable space.

Can it travel without a separate power adapter?

The Seagate family datasheet describes these portable drives as powered by the USB bus and labels the design as a 2.5-inch drive. That can reduce what a person needs to plug in at a desk or while moving between compatible computers. The datasheet's original package contents include a USB cable, but that historical package list does not establish what a current seller includes or the condition of an old cable. Check the specific offer and unit. A family power description is evidence about the documented design, not a guarantee that a particular aging drive will power reliably from every host port.

What do the old system requirements mean today?

The 2006-era datasheet lists Windows XP, Me, 2000 Pro, or 98SE and Mac OS 9.x or 10.2.8 and later. Those are historical requirements, not a compatibility statement for a current operating system. Seagate's support page now warns that this vintage product and associated software may no longer be eligible for support under its Vintage Product Support Policy. That warning does not say a drive cannot operate, but it means current vendor support should not be assumed. The saved material does not confirm present software support, warranty eligibility, or host recognition. Before trusting a unit, check the exact computer and file-system needs and verify that the specific drive mounts and can be read.

When does this old portable drive make sense?

It has a narrow role: a small, finite archive or transfer on a host where USB 2.0 and the specific unit are confirmed to work. The Seagate Expansion SSD offers 500GB and a newer USB 3.0 interface with documented USB 2.0 compatibility, while the 160GB Portable keeps the primary connection simple for a known USB 2.0 setup. The SSD's interface and medium do not prove a measured speed for a particular workload. If 160GB is not enough, choose a larger capacity rather than trying to stretch this model into a growing archive. Keep another independent copy of important files; a single old drive should not be their only home.

Before you decide

The advantages and the compromises

The key details

Model covered

ST3400601U2-RK

Advertised capacity

400GB

Drive configuration

3.5-inch desktop HDD

Host connection

USB 2.0

Advertised capacity is nominal and usable space is lower after formatting. Published maximum transfer figures are source claims, not measured results for your computer or workload.

A specific legacy desktop model

ST3400601U2-RK is a populated external hard disk in Seagate's 3.5-inch Pushbutton Backup family. Seagate's support listing maps this exact code to 400GB, 7200rpm, and 16MB cache, while an exact-model retailer listing confirms the USB 2.0 and 3.5-inch configuration. This is more useful for maintaining a known archive or a compatible older workstation than for shopping by broad phrases such as “Seagate external drive.” The product code matters: Seagate also sold a similarly named 400GB USB-and-FireWire version with a different code, and the interface should not be transferred from that sibling.

What USB 2.0 means for the workflow

The U2 version connects over USB 2.0. The interface is widely recognizable on older computers, but it is an older, slower path than later USB generations. Seagate's product page does not provide a buyer-specific transfer guarantee, and an interface ceiling is not the same as a measured copy speed. Large photo, video, or disk-image transfers can therefore take substantially longer than with newer drives. If the task is simply to retrieve or retain a modest legacy archive, broad compatibility may matter more than speed. If the task is frequent work with large current files, this connection is a meaningful limitation rather than a minor spec-sheet detail.

Capacity and physical setup

The listed 400GB capacity is fixed for this model. That may be enough for a narrowly defined older collection, but it leaves less room than current multi-terabyte external products. The drive is a 3.5-inch desktop unit, and the exact-model package record includes a power adapter and cord, so it does not operate as a one-cable pocket drive. Check that the particular used unit still has the correct adapter and that your workspace can keep it plugged in. The sources describe the original package, not the contents or working state of a unit offered today.

Old software is not a current feature promise

Retail copy mentions BounceBack Express backup software and automatic backup functions. Those are historical bundle descriptions, not evidence that the software can still be downloaded, installed, or supported on a present-day system. For an ongoing backup plan, choose a supported backup application independently and confirm that the host can communicate with the drive. More importantly, one old external disk should not be the only copy of irreplaceable data. A second independent copy and a restore plan matter more than a button or software name printed in a legacy listing.

Assess the individual unit, not just the model number

The model specification does not tell us whether a particular drive has been heavily used, dropped, stored poorly, or developed errors. It does not establish current reliability. Before relying on a used unit, check its health with suitable diagnostics, make a test copy, and confirm that files can be read back; those are buyer checks, not tests we performed. Also verify the port, cable, power adapter, return terms, and operating-system recognition. Because the Amazon page could not be inspected and no present exact offer is verified, use the model-specific search link as a search destination only.

Who should consider it

This is a narrow-fit choice for a buyer who already has a need for this exact legacy capacity and interface: for example, accessing a known archive or keeping an older system's media accessible. It should not lead a fresh shortlist for someone who wants portable backup, large headroom, fast transfers, or a current direct product listing. The Seagate Expansion SSD in this batch is smaller and bus-powered with a newer USB interface; the LaCie is a different, powered Thunderbolt workstation array. Those distinctions help locate the Pushbutton Backup's place without claiming it is better or worse in reliability.

Before you decide