Review: Seagate BlackArmor PS 110
By Craig Lloyd on Aug 13th, 2009 at 12:59PM
Seagate recently rolled out a few new products to their BlackArmor lineup and now we’re here to tell you all about them, first hand. Before we go any further though, you probably may be wondering what the difference is between the BlackArmor series and the FreeAgent series. Simply put, the BlackArmor lineup is more for small business use and the software included is more fitted towards small businesses, while the FreeAgent line is fitted towards just plain, everyday users. This first review out of the three will be all about the 500GB 2.5-inch external drive known as the BlackArmor PS 110.
It’s shape and overall size is exact of Seagate’s FreeAgent Go drive, but there are still a couple major differences. One of the more obvious ones is the color. The PS 110 sports a sleek and sexy black casing with the blue Seagate logo displaying proudly on top. Another noticeable difference is the status light. The PS 110 has just one small blue status light rather than the beautiful array of lights you’d normally find on the FreeAgent Go. This might take away some style points, but I must say I love the subtle look and the simplicity of it.
The included USB cable, which measures just shy of a foot and a half, is rather short compared to most other USB cables included with other external hard drives. This is mostly due to the fact that it’s a portable hard drive and is mostly fitted for smaller work spaces like on an airplane or a small coffee shop table. The need for a cable any longer would be unnecessary, but for those times when we’re at home, a longer USB cable would be liked.
The software included with the PS 110 comes with a plethora of goodies. Telling from the name of the software, BlackArmor Backup, it’s main feature is backing up your important data on the drive. Other features include creating scheduled tasks, restoring backups and a new Try and Decide feature, which lets you try out the features of the software without it actually doing anything to your drive or system, that way you can decide if it’s worth using.
Overall, the BlackArmor PS 110 is basically the beefed up version of the FreeAgent Go with a new look and better software ideal for small businesses. You can get one of these bad boys for $159.99 for the 500GB model on Seagate’s website.
Scores
- Price: 7
You can get a 500GB FreeAgent Go for $110. With the PS 110, you’re basically paying $50 more for the software and the better looks, which is not a negative aspect, but keep that in mind.
- Setup/Install: 9
Plug it in and you’re all set. The software installation is a cakewalk.
- Ease of Use: 9
The included backup software is very easy to use and navigate through.
- Performance: 8
It performs just as well as the FreeAgent Go and any other drives of its kind.
- Features: 8
The backup software is one of the big features here. Other than that, nothing too special.
Overall: 8 Olives
“there are still a couple major differences”… color and indicator lights are really more *minor* differences. The included software appears to be something akin to what comes with Windows Vista/7 Business anyway. Basically Seagate is charging $50 for paint?
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Maybe I should’ve been more specific: Cosmetically, there are a couple major differences. Even still the whole new color scheme and a completely new look to the status lights are major differences in my book.
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I don’t believe they make this anymore but it certainly seems like a nice hard drive. Styling is really cool.
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Craig Lloyd Reply on November 28th, 2010 at 9:55 PM
@Jason – Probably not, since this review is well over a year old :P