For the past month, I’ve been putting the Seagate One Touch 8TB Desktop External Hard Drive (model number STLC8000400) through its paces. This review details my experience with this drive, focusing on its performance, features, and overall value. The promise of a robust external storage solution with added functionality like a built-in hub was intriguing, and I was eager to see if it lived up to the hype.

The Seagate One Touch 8TB boasts several key features designed to make it a versatile and secure storage solution. The inclusion of both USB-C and USB 3.0 ports is a welcome addition, offering broad compatibility with various devices. The built-in USB hub is a clever feature, allowing me to charge my phone and other devices simultaneously while backing up data, a definite convenience. The AES-256 hardware encryption provides a strong layer of security, offering peace of mind for sensitive files. The included Seagate Toolkit software makes backups a breeze, with options for one-click backups and scheduled automated backups. Setup was straightforward and took only a few minutes. I particularly appreciated the seamless compatibility with both Windows and macOS.

In terms of performance, the Seagate One Touch 8TB delivered consistent read and write speeds that met my expectations for a USB 3.0 drive. Transferring large files, including high-resolution videos and large photo collections, was quick and efficient. I didn’t experience any significant bottlenecks or data corruption during my testing period. The drive remained cool even during extended periods of use, which is a positive indicator of its thermal management. The included Seagate Toolkit software performed smoothly, allowing for easy backup scheduling and file management.

I conducted several benchmarks, transferring a 50GB folder of mixed-media files. The average transfer speed hovered around 120 MB/s, which is entirely acceptable for its USB 3.0 connection. While not the fastest external HDD available, the speeds were consistently reliable and more than sufficient for my day-to-day needs.

Pros:

• Large 8TB storage capacity
• Convenient built-in USB hub
• Fast transfer speeds
• AES-256 hardware encryption
• Seamless compatibility with Windows and macOS
• User-friendly Seagate Toolkit software

Cons:

• Could be slightly faster
• No external power supply, reliant on bus power (though this is common for this type of drive)

Overall, the Seagate One Touch 8TB External Hard Drive (STLC8000400) is a solid and reliable storage solution. The combination of ample storage, a handy built-in hub, strong security features, and user-friendly software makes it a worthwhile investment. While it’s not the absolute fastest drive on the market, its performance is more than adequate for most users. I would comfortably recommend this drive to anyone in need of a reliable, large-capacity external hard drive, especially if the integrated hub adds extra value.