Seagate (STEB8000100) Expansion Desktop 8TB External Hard Drive HDD – USB 3.0 for PC Laptop

The Seagate Expansion Desktop HDD offers massive storage capacity at an affordable price, making it a top choice for anyone needing significant external storage without breaking the bank. With sizes up to 24TB and impressive transfer speeds for an HDD, this external drive provides a practical solution for handling large data collections, such as videos, backups, and media libraries.

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Features & Functionality

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The Seagate Expansion Desktop HDD excels in providing an expansive storage solution at an incredibly competitive price point. Available in capacities ranging from 4TB to a staggering 24TB, it offers users a cost-effective way to store large volumes of data. This capacity flexibility makes it ideal for users who need to back up massive libraries of media files, such as photographers, videographers, or even gamers with a vast collection of game files. What sets the Seagate Expansion apart from smaller drives or SSDs is its ability to handle these high-volume tasks without breaking the bank, costing as little as $20 per terabyte in some configurations.

Its ease of use is another significant advantage. The Seagate Expansion is plug-and-play compatible with both Windows and macOS, requiring no complicated setup or additional software. It comes preformatted in the NTFS file system, which works seamlessly with Windows PCs, and it can easily be reformatted for Mac users in a matter of seconds. Users can also format it to exFAT to work interchangeably between both systems. This versatility makes the Seagate Expansion ideal for those who need a no-fuss, straightforward solution for both backup and active file storage across multiple platforms.

In terms of connectivity, the Seagate Expansion is equipped with USB 3.0, delivering faster data transfers compared to older USB 2.0 models. While the absence of USB-C could be seen as a drawback for modern device owners, an adapter can solve this issue. The SuperSpeed Micro-B USB port provides ample data transfer speed for most use cases, making it a reliable option for quick file backup, though it can’t match SSD speeds. For media streaming or large file transfers, the drive performs admirably, making it an excellent choice for users who require high-capacity, budget-friendly storage.

Additionally, the Seagate Expansion’s functionality extends beyond computers. It’s compatible with game consoles such as the PlayStation and Xbox, allowing users to expand their console storage effortlessly. This is a great perk for gamers who want to store game libraries and multimedia files on an external drive without constantly managing limited internal storage.

Design & Build Quality

Image credit: Seagate

Seagate has paid attention to design and build quality with the Expansion Desktop. The device’s minimalist, black design is highlighted by diagonal grooves and venting to help with heat dissipation. It measures about 7 inches long, 4.9 inches wide, and 1.65 inches thick, with a weight of approximately 2.5 pounds. While it’s not meant to be portable, the solid structure makes it ideal for desk setups, where it can stand upright or lie flat depending on user preference.

The venting is particularly beneficial in preventing overheating during long data transfers, which is a common concern for hard drives of this capacity. The anti-skid feet on one of the edges help keep the drive stable, although users should be cautious about placing it upright without additional support to avoid accidental knocks. One notable downside is the need for an AC adapter to power the drive, which adds another component to the setup, but this is a necessary tradeoff given the power demands of a 3.5-inch HDD.

Power & Performance

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When it comes to power and performance, the Seagate Expansion Desktop HDD delivers surprisingly impressive results for a mechanical hard drive. Its sustained read and write speeds clock in at nearly 280MBps, which is twice as fast as smaller 2.5-inch external drives. For users accustomed to the relatively sluggish performance of older HDDs, this significant speed boost makes the Seagate Expansion a solid performer for tasks that involve transferring large amounts of data, such as backing up multimedia libraries or copying extensive video files. While SSDs still outperform it by a wide margin, this drive offers a compelling middle ground between price and performance.

The drive’s 3.5-inch form factor, coupled with its reliance on an external AC adapter, gives it a power advantage over bus-powered 2.5-inch drives. While the need for an adapter adds a layer of inconvenience for users seeking portability, it ensures that the drive operates at peak efficiency without drawing excessive power from connected devices. This external power source allows the drive to sustain its faster transfer speeds over prolonged use without overheating, making it a dependable choice for users handling continuous data backups or large file transfers.

Though it doesn’t match SSDs in terms of speed, the Seagate Expansion is more than capable of handling everyday tasks, especially when compared to other HDDs. Its performance shines in sequential data transfers, where its higher capacity and faster speeds make it particularly effective. For example, the drive outperforms its smaller cousins in tasks such as transferring a 48GB file, doing so far faster than a 2.5-inch HDD, making it a preferred option for users who need to deal with large files.

However, it’s important to note that the Seagate Expansion’s performance in random reads and writes is notably slower, which is typical for HDDs. This means that while it excels in handling large, sequential file transfers, it’s not the best choice for tasks that require quick access to small files, such as certain applications that rely heavily on random reads. Despite this, the Seagate Expansion remains a strong contender for those whose priority is high-capacity storage with reasonable performance, especially at such a low price per terabyte.

In terms of longevity, mechanical drives like the Seagate Expansion do have inherent risks. Being a mechanical drive, it is more susceptible to damage from shock or vibration, which is something users should keep in mind. This risk can be mitigated with proper placement and care, but users should always back up critical data to avoid potential loss. Overall, the Seagate Expansion offers excellent performance for its category and delivers a well-rounded experience for users seeking a balance of affordability, capacity, and functionality.

Compatibility & Connectivity

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The Seagate Expansion Desktop is highly compatible with a variety of devices and operating systems. It comes pre-formatted in the NTFS file system for Windows, but users can easily reformat it to HFS+ for macOS or exFAT if they need to use the drive across both platforms. In addition to computer compatibility, it works well with gaming consoles like the PlayStation and Xbox, providing ample space for game storage and media.

Connectivity is via USB 3.0, but Seagate opted for a SuperSpeed Micro-B USB port, which is not as common as standard USB-C ports found on newer devices. While this can be seen as a drawback for users seeking maximum convenience, USB 3.0 still provides ample speed for the drive’s capabilities, and adapters can easily bridge the gap for USB-C devices. However, it’s worth noting that users seeking a future-proof connection might find the lack of USB-C slightly limiting.

Conclusion: Should You Buy the Seagate Expansion Desktop?

For users in need of vast storage at a reasonable price, the Seagate Expansion Desktop is an excellent choice. Its large capacity, relatively fast transfer rates, and sleek design make it a solid option for handling large media libraries, backups, and data storage. While it doesn’t offer the speed of an SSD, it’s a much more cost-effective solution for those needing high capacity without sacrificing too much in performance. However, users looking for added features like encryption or backup software may want to consider other options. For most users needing dependable, affordable storage, the Seagate Expansion Desktop is highly recommended.