Driver allows HFS+ drives to be read by Windows

First introduced in May of this year, Seagate's GoFlex external drive line is expanding with a new super-slim USB 3 drive, a line of external units specifically for Mac users (but with the ability to work on Windows machines), and a new program for third-party companies to incorporate slots to accept the GoFlex drives into their own devices.

The Certified GoFlex Storage System initiative helps manufacturers add the option of docking ultra-portable GoFlex external drives into other equipment -- such as media players, set-top-boxes, computers, game consoles, network-attached storage bays and other devices using the recently-announced SATA universal storage module (USM) specification, which allows devices to accept a powered external storage unit in other devices. The USM spec was created by the industry consortium governing the SATA standard, and Seagate's GoFlex line incorporates the specification.

Also being debuted at the CES show this weekend is a new line of GoFlex external drives aimed specifically at Mac users, but with a twist: although the drives are pre-formatted HFS+ for Macs, a free driver from Seagate will enable Windows machines full read-write access to the HFS+ drives. The GoFlex for Mac line includes 2.5-inch form-factor external drives as well as a 3.5-inch desktop model. The portable external drives range from 500GB to 1.5TB, while the 3.5-inch external scales up to 3TB.

The GoFlex for Mac line feature USB 2.0 and Firewire 800 adapters and bundles, but the case can be changed to a USB 3 or powered eSATA interface through the use of a different back panel. GoFlex drives can also be easily swapped into other GoFlex-compatible devices, such as an NAS carrier or a compatible TV-connected media bay.

The portable lineup includes a GoFlex for Mac Ultra-Portable 2.5-inch external designed for Apple's Time Machine software -- combining two 2.5-inch drives into a single case -- and sells for $200 for 1TB or $250 for 1.5TB (total) capacities. A limited-edition version sells for $200 for 1TB as well. The GoFlex Pro for Mac uses a single 7200rpm drive and sells for $150 for 500MB or $180 for 750GB.

The GoFlex Desk for Mac model is an external case holding two 3.5-inch drives available in either 2TB or 3TB (total) capacities selling for $220 or $280 respectively. Optional software can display the drive's real-time capacity with lights on the dock. The other models as well as this one can also be monitored with other optional software to do things like turn the lights on the drive off or verify the drive's integrity.

The GoFlex for Mac drives are now available from the company's web site.

Finally, the company will also unveil a new super-slim version of their GoFlex drive external designed for portables and netbooks. Now only 9mm thin -- 38 percent thinner than the previous model -- the drive will arrive in the spring and initially only be available in 320GB capacity, sporting a slim black brushed-aluminum enclosure with USB 3 connectivity.

All the drives come with a three-year warranty from Seagate.

By Electronista Staff