Maxtor OneTouch 4 Plus (250GB)

Manufacturer: Seagate Technology Part number: STM302504OTA3E5-RK

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$69.99 - $84.95 at 3 online stores

CNET Editor rating:
3.5 stars Very good
Average user rating: 0.5 stars out of 6 reviews

More product information:: Editors' review; User reviews; Specifications; Product series; Manufacturer info

Bottom Line:: The Maxtor OneTouch 4 Plus is a good choice for the average home user who wants a fast and simple-to-use external hard drive for backup and storage. Mac users will want to find a different restore utility to use with it.

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PREMIER SOURCE of cutting edge electronics since 1973.	Rate this store See store profile	In stock SHIPS IN 24 HR. Auth Maxtor dealer w/ warranty	Enter zip code to get total price: Price +Tax +Shipping =Total price	$84.95 Shop now as of 10/12/2008
	Rate this store See store profile	In stock	$80.59 Shop now as of 10/12/2008 Refurbished
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PREMIER SOURCE of cutting edge electronics since 1973.

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SHIPS IN 24 HR. Auth Maxtor dealer w/ warranty

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$84.95

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as of 10/12/2008

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$80.59

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Refurbished

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*Total price for the Maxtor OneTouch 4 Plus (250GB) are estimated and may vary slightly based on exact tax, shipping, manufacturer rebate or any sale/promotion on the merchant site.

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CNET editors' review

Maxtor OneTouch 4 Plus (250GB)

price range: $69.99 - $84.95

Reviewed by: Dong Van Ngo
Edited by: Felisa Yang
Reviewed on: 10/19/2007

The good: Fast write speeds; includes backup and restore utilities; generous warranty.

The bad: The backup utility is a bit limited; restore utility doesn't work for Mac users.

The bottom line: The Maxtor OneTouch 4 Plus is a good choice for the average home user who wants a fast and simple-to-use external hard drive for backup and storage. Mac users will want to find a different restore utility to use with it.

Read full review

The Maxtor OneTouch 4 Plus family of hard drives is a stylish option for desktop storage and backup. It comes in three capacities: 250GB, 500GB, and 750GB; we tested the 500GB version. The suggested prices are $130 for the 250GB, $200 for the 500GB, and $290 for the 750GB--very reasonable. The OneTouch 4 drives come with everything you need to start backing up regularly: FireWire and USB cables, and backup and restore software.

Once plugged in and turned on, the device will prompt you to install Maxtor Manager, an intuitive application that allows for a variety of backup solutions. You can choose to image the whole hard drive or backup and synchronize just selected files and folders. While we found the application easy to use and effective, it's not without flaws. First off, it doesn't allow for choosing just any folder on the hard drive to back up. For example, if you are using Windows XP, you won't be able to select any other folders in your profile aside from My Documents and Desktop. This means if you use Outlook, chances are you won't be able to back up the e-mail archive, which by default resides deep in the hidden Local Settings folder. You can, however, choose to image the entire content of your PC's hard drive. Then, should disaster occur, you use the included SafetyDrill CD to restore the whole system (SafetyDrill works with Windows only).

Once set up, the backup process can be scheduled to run automatically or initialized by pressing the only one-touch backup button on the front of the device. Overall, we found the backup utility somewhat limited, but still appealing to home users who want a simple backup solution that works.

The device was also very quiet and worked flawlessly during the testing process. We loved the rugged yet very lightweight and compact design. The black and brushed aluminum look gives it a vault-like appearance, unlike the I-beam look of the OneTouch III. The OneTouch button is elegant, though the light it emits could be a little too bright at night.

Drive type	External hard drive
Connector options	USB 2.0; Firewire 400
Available capacities	250GB, 500GB, 750GB
Capacity of test unit (if applicable)	500GB
Drive speed	7,200rpm
Cache	16MB
Dimensions (LWH)	6.0 x 2.5 x 6.75 inches
Notable design features	One-touch backup button
OSes supported	Windows XP/Vista; Mac OS X 10.4.7 or later
Software included	Maxtor SafetyDrill, Maxtor Manager
Service and Support	five-year warranty; toll-free phone support is available weekdays from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. MT; you can also chat or e-mail to tech support; Seagate's site (Maxtor is owned by Seagate) includes FAQs, user guides, data sheets, and a troubleshooter.

We were impressed with the throughput performance of the OneTouch 4 Plus in CNET Labs' tests. It took only 9 minutes, 1 second to write a 10GB folder of mixed file types, just a bit faster than the Hitachi External Hard Drive and the SimpleTech SimpleDrive. It was slower than the competition in the read test, but not by too much, scoring 9 minutes, 16 seconds.

All in all, it's relatively easy to recommend the Maxtor OneTouch 4 Plus. It's a simple, fast, and reliable backup solution for a single computer. If the backup software's lack of sophistication throws you off, you can always get another suite to work with the drive.

External hard drive read/write tests
(Shorter bars indicate faster performance)

Read

Write

LaCie d2 Quadra (FW800)*

06:41

06:07

Maxtor OneTouch 4 Plus (USB)

09:16

09:01

Hitachi External Drive (USB)

08:02

09:20

SimpleTech SimpleDrive (USB)

08:35

09:22

Seagate FreeAgent Pro (USB)

08:21

09:46

LaCie Brick (USB)

08:06

21:48

Seagate Pushbutton Backup (USB)

09:11

42:31

Note: * Drive name (tested connection)

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User reviews

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Average user rating: 0.5 stars out of 6 reviews
My rating: 0 stars

Showing opinion 1 to 6 out of 6

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1 stars

Learn from my mistake, do not buy this product.

by HairyHatchet on September 25, 2008

Pros: There is nothing.

Cons: Stopped working within 2 weeks. Tech Support is a joke.

Summary: I made a mistake in trusting this hard drive to hold my files while I reloaded windows. Went to get it back on my computer and the Hard drive was ...

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Summary: I made a mistake in trusting this hard drive to hold my files while I reloaded windows. Went to get it back on my computer and the Hard drive was not working. Called Seagate they told me there is nothing they can do. That the hard drive is bad and to return it. I said I need the files on the hard drive (family pictures, music, work files, you name it) they told me there not responsible, and to get those files back, I need to pay there recovery department.
I payed for a machine to steal my files, and then hold them for ransom. Something is wrong here. Stay away from Maxtor Hard Drive's, Seagate.

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1 out of 1 users found this user opinion helpful.
5 stars

Buyer be Aware of MAXTOR PAst One Touch Problems and Current Tech Support Policy

by MR CNET on October 10, 2007

Pros: Maybe Segate usb/firewire interface can be more reliable

Cons: Maxtor past one touch models and current refusal to provide the user with an simple fix or resonable service fix

Summary: From cnet PERIPHERALS FORUMS about Maxtor ONE TOUCH II models defect and user fixes with no support from MAXTOR

OCT 10 2007
I Have also experienced this duel blue led

...

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Summary: From cnet PERIPHERALS FORUMS about Maxtor ONE TOUCH II models defect and user fixes with no support from MAXTOR

OCT 10 2007
I Have also experienced this duel blue led rapid flashing on my Maxtor One touch II 300GB HD with USB2 and 1394a fire wire .
My Computer could not find the drive as it never loaded but this HD was running normal as to sound .. drive rotation , other than the flashing lights which never went to Idle on the 300GB HD .
This ONE touch 300GB HD was LINKED to my pc through a fire wire passed thru form another Maxtor One Touch 250GB HD. This 250 GB was recognized by my PC .
Changed out my Fire wire connection with no change in the flashing lights or the drive being recognized also ..Tried USB connection with same results .
Contacted Maxtor/Seagate ....service tech.. Was walked through several procedures to see if the drive was present on my PC .
He asked about the operation of the drive ..Running... noise . Lights ECT .
This resulted in the service tech stating the he believed the drive had an internal failure . He provided a Segate/maxtor transfer for data recovery dept . I asked the service tech if this was a user serviceable housing as I believed it may be the connection bridge circuit board problem .He stated it was not serviceable.
Maxtor/Seagate Data recovery dept offered an estimated $1,400 bill for full data recovery and tried to obtain a contact number to set up shipment ...lol
I Google the Maxtor One touch Flashing Lights and found this CNET Forum ?..

I tried your suggestion since I also had another transformer from my 250GB Maxtor One touch II ?.? I had no such luck with such a simple fix ..I tried the other more costly option ( Not the data recovery lol))) and ordered an.. i- rocks 3.5 HD Enclosure
IR-9410ESC 3.5? IDE/IEEE1394a+USB2.0 HDD enclosure from newegg 24.99
Similar to the Maxtor case as it is mostly Metal and supports one touch operation with its own push button LED..This is also firewire with pass thru ( Daisy chain) ability. Note internal mounting of the i-rock HD is not as sturdy as the Maxtor Metal internal bracket . The i-rock is a plastic .vented board .
While waiting for shipment I removed my Maxtor 300GB from it?s One Touch Housing.

I purchased a Maxtor 300 GB..16MB cache ..7200rpm internal ATA/100( Maxtor Basic) 3 year warranty at Staples and installed it into the Maxtor housing to test the housing operation . This matches the One Touch HD specs ..
Not surprising I witnessed the duel flashing lights on the Maxtor enclosure and the inability of my PC to recognize the new drive for formatting.
(Note this new 300GB internal Maxtor has a Part # STM 3320620A..Which could not be found on the Maxtor site ever when I entered the serial # of the Hard Drive ..?The STM signifies MAXTOR but the 3320620A can only be found under
Seagate Barracuda ST3320620A. The .Maxtor site shows STM3320820A for a 300GB 16MB cache 7200rpm Hard Drive ???? )

Loaded the Maxtor ONE touch Software on to my Notebook and tried this new Maxtor internal 300GB in the defective 300GB one touch Housing with the same flashing lights results and no new drive recognition on my note book .
I today installed the One Touch 300GB HD into my new i-rock Enclosure
And as you say Wala ?the One Touch 300GB booted up and is recognized with all my data files intact .
This is an serious problem with the MAXTOR ONE Touch HD port connection interface board that Maxtor /Seagate will not admit/acknowledge or provide reasonable servicing for .
Can any one else find GOOD use for the unused USB 2 cables from my Maxtor ONE touch Drives ..Other than to BEAT Maxtor /Seagate with them ???

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1 out of 2 users found this user opinion helpful.
1 stars

I got a great deal on a piece of garbage.

by lawrenceb56 on September 10, 2008

Pros: Nothing. A shoddy product with poor support.

Cons: Too expensive.
Brilliant light.
Poor customer service.
Warranty shady.

Summary: Broke after just a few months use. Just plain stopped and shut down. Customer service was rude and tried to get me off the phone as quickly as possible.

Summary: Broke after just a few months use. Just plain stopped and shut down. Customer service was rude and tried to get me off the phone as quickly as possible.
1 stars

Fried my hard drive!!

by phbern on September 8, 2008

Pros: Absolutely none!

Cons: See subject line

Summary: I bought this hoping to back up pics of my baby daughter as well as some files for my wife who now works from home. The laptop has always worked ...

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Summary: I bought this hoping to back up pics of my baby daughter as well as some files for my wife who now works from home. The laptop has always worked just fine. I ren a complete virus scan and came up with nothing. Ran check disk and the was clean, too. Defragged the drive with no problems. Plugged the Maxtor in, clicked on "Install" and 15 seconds later got the Blue Screen of Death! Tried everything I could think of to get it to boot properly and could not. It's now at Geek Squad and hopefully I haven't lost all those pictures! Irks me to no end that the thing I bought in case my hard drive crashed is what caused my hard drive to crash!!

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1 stars

Throw it away

by PhilH29 on August 17, 2008

Pros: Works for 1 week

Cons: Fails after 1 week. Customer Service is ridiculously poor.

Summary: The OneTouch 4 Plus drive worked fine for one week, automatically backing up my computer files with no problems on my XP system. After a week it was no longer ...

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Summary: The OneTouch 4 Plus drive worked fine for one week, automatically backing up my computer files with no problems on my XP system. After a week it was no longer recognized by my computer and was instead seen as "New Hardware". The Seagate "Customer Service" group took 2 weeks to respond to my question (there are no phone numbers to call). I responded to them and have heard nothing for the past 3 weeks.

I will not be purchasing Maxtor/Seagate products in the future.

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2 stars

bad product bad service

by aleperpe on June 21, 2008

Pros: none nothing

Cons: slow, doesnt work with mac os leopard

Summary: and the service part its the worst nobody at seatgate answer my question. So very bad company I will never buy something from them and I will tell everybody about ...

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Summary: and the service part its the worst nobody at seatgate answer my question. So very bad company I will never buy something from them and I will tell everybody about the deficient company they are.
Shame of them

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Showing opinion 1 to 6 out of 6

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Specifications

Manufacturer: Seagate Technology
Part number: STM302504OTA3E5-RK
Description: For everyone with data-protection needs that is looking for an elegantly simple, full-featured backup and storage solution, the Maxtor OneTouch 4 Plus sports a new vault-like industrial design that conveys security and protection. The elegant color scheme and design make it a good fit in any home or office setting.

General
Device Type Hard drive - External hard drive
Width 6 in
Depth 2.5 in
Height 6.7 in
Weight 2.4 lbs
Localization United States
Hard Drive
Form Factor 3.5"
Capacity 250 GB
Interface type IEEE 1394 (FireWire) / Hi-Speed USB
Spindle speed 7200 rpm
Buffer size 16 MB
Performance
Storage Hard Drive / Sustained Data Transfer Rate (For External Drive) 43 MBps
Data Transfer Rate Details FireWire : 43 MBps, Hi-Speed USB : 33 MBps
Storage Controller
Type None
Storage Controller (2nd)
Type None
Expansion / Connectivity
Interfaces Hi-Speed USB, IEEE 1394 (FireWire)
Compatible Bays None
Compatible Slots x None

Miscellaneous
Cables Included 1 x IEEE 1394 cable, 1 x USB cable
Package type Retail
Power
External Hard Drive Power Source Included AC adapter
Power device type Power adapter
Voltage Required AC 120/230 V
System Requirements
OS Required Microsoft Windows Vista Home Basic, Apple MacOS X 10.4.7 or later, Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium, Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition, Microsoft Windows Vista Business, Microsoft Windows XP Professional, Microsoft Windows Vista Ultimate, Microsoft Windows XP Media Center Edition
Software / System Requirements
Software type Drivers & Utilities
System Requirements Details MacOS X 10.4.7 or later - RAM 256 MB, Windows XP/Vista - Pentium III - RAM 256 MB
Manufacturer Warranty
Service & support type 5 years warranty
Service & Support Details Limited warranty - 5 years

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Manufacturer info

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