Manage updates with the Download AppSeagate GoFlex Satellite
Manufacturer: Seagate Technology Part number: STBF500101
- More product information:
- Editors' review
- User reviews
- Specifications
- Manufacturer info
- Bottom Line:
- Despite a few minor shortcomings, the GoFlex Satellite makes an excellent direct-attach external storage solution for anyone and a must-have for those who frequently travel with Apple's iPad.
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CNET editors' review
Seagate GoFlex Satellite price range: $99.99 - $265.14
- Reviewed by: Dong Ngo
- Reviewed on: 05/16/2011
The good: Seagate's good-looking and compact GoFlex Satellite is a new breed of external hard drives that can stream digital content stored on it via a built-in Wi-Fi network. As an external hard drive, the device features USB 3.0, is relatively fast, compact, flexible, and offers uncompromising support for both Macs and PCs.
The bad: The GoFlex Satellite supports only three wireless clients at a time, doesn't allow for Internet access, and its USB 3.0 performance could be better. The drive's included GoFlex Media iPad app takes a long time to load photos and doesn't work in the background.
The bottom line: Despite a few minor shortcomings, the GoFlex Satellite makes an excellent direct-attach external storage solution for anyone and a must-have for those who frequently travel with Apple's iPad.
User reviews
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It's very good, but...
by DeezCee on November 11, 2011
Pros: Solid external drive.
Wifi streaming is very good.Cons: Needs a toggle/pass through feature for internet access to multitask.
Browser/media manager needs tweeking.Summary: I got this to port my media for my iPad (even though I'd use this for my Windows laptop & Android phone). As an external drive, it is very ...
Summary: I got this to port my media for my iPad (even though I'd use this for my Windows laptop & Android phone). As an external drive, it is very good and was easy to setup. I've run movies and music from the drive when wired to my computer (through iTunes and/or other media players).
The wifi feature is very good. I've streamed a few movies and music to my iPad & Evo and haven't had major interruptions. I don't keep it too far away (20 feet is/was the most for me), but it does provide a strong signal. I do wish that they include a 'toggle/pass through' feature between internet wifi vs. its wifi signal for the iPad because I like to multitask.
Seagate's browser/interface is nice, but it's not 'polished.' I hope that their firmware update addresses file management...especially playlists.
Other than those 2 criticisms, it does what it's supposed to do and I'm more than satisfied.3 out of 3 users found this user opinion helpful.
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Very poor implementation with iPad
by DOBM on August 21, 2011
Pros: Slightly better than having no external drive at all, but only just.
Cons: The WiFi connection is not fast enough when trying to play HD movie content, the picture & sound keep stalling, with no sign of a buffer being used.
The free App does not remember what's on the drive and has to rebuild it's contents every time you goSummary: One of the most poorly software implemented products I have ever found. Barely usable in it's current build. Avoid it until some major rework is made.
Updated on Aug ...Summary: One of the most poorly software implemented products I have ever found. Barely usable in it's current build. Avoid it until some major rework is made.
The problems I have identified nearly all apply to the Goflex Media App for iPad/iPhone. I have found that the product works much better, including streaming of HD movies, when using Safari web browser, rather than the App itself.
Updated on Aug 22, 2011
Updated on May 28, 2012*UPDATE* The new firmware makes the device very usable at last. Shame it wasn't this good to start with as they would have sold tons of them. Thumbs-up to Seagate who have stood by their product and have obviously invested heavily in improving it at no additional cost to purchasers.1 out of 1 users found this user opinion helpful.
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2 stars very convenient WHEN it works.
by fondy on March 20, 2012
Pros: Portable, battery powered, far more storage space than competing products
Cons: Buggy software, support staff unfamiliar with their own product
Summary: When it worked, the Goflex Satellite was a good remedy for the limited storage space on my iPad and iPhone. Unfortunately, both the app and the web interface were plagued ...
Summary: When it worked, the Goflex Satellite was a good remedy for the limited storage space on my iPad and iPhone. Unfortunately, both the app and the web interface were plagued with database issues. The few occasions that the list of files stored on the drive ever updated at all, it was very slow to weed through the drive's contents.
Change my rating to 4 stars. I was finally contacted by another support technician who advised trying a second format/firmware update. Seems to work now.
The last time I tried to use it, the app displayed nothing on the drive. The web interface at least indicated that it was trying to refresh the database. After hours of waiting, I tried reinstalling the firmware to no avail. I finally gave up and made the mistake of formatting the drive and reloading the firmware BIN file.
Thanks to a Google search (and no warning in the manual) I discovered that formatting the drive deleted a piece of software responsible for extracting and installing the firmware. The web post said that due to encryption in this piece of software, Seagate could not make a replacement available on its website for download, but to contact tech support directly to get another copy of the extraction software.
I contacted tech support and 'Todd' insisted that contrary to the post on their own support forums, there is no other software necessary to extract and install the .BIN firmware, that all one needs to do is drag the firmware file to the root directory, unplug and reboot. I tried this multiple times and the firmware never extracts. When I plug back into the PC, the only thing on the drive is the firmware file - so nothing got extracted/installed.
I freely admit I screwed up by formatting the drive without first backing up the original files/folders, however it would be nice if Seagate would try to ensure that their support techs were at least as familiar with the product as the novice users who post on their support forums.
Since I'm always working during Seagate's phone contact hours, and 'Todd' insists it should just work, I'm left with nothing more than an overpriced USB hard drive.
Updated on Mar 20, 2012 -
If not for poor battery life this would be great.
by galindenba on December 26, 2011
Pros: User friendly interface, Good WiFi streaming with my iPad or iPhone.
Cons: Extremely poor battery life, Need to attach adapter to connect to USB, USB cable is unique to this product. Charging cable also unique to this product.
Summary: This drive performs very well with my iPad and iPhone. I "upgraded" to this from an Airstash which worked pretty well with my iPad, not at all with my iPhone, ...
Summary: This drive performs very well with my iPad and iPhone. I "upgraded" to this from an Airstash which worked pretty well with my iPad, not at all with my iPhone, and was limited to max 32 GB SD cards so if you wanted to take a lot of movies with you required quite a few cards as well. I thought this was a solution and it would have been were it not for the lousy battery life. I fully charged this drive right out of the box and transferred some videos. After a full charge I watched about one hour of a movie and then shut it off. The next morning I turned the unit back on to watch the rest of the movie and the battery was almost depleted. That is in my opinion just ridiculous and makes it useless for any flight lasting over an hour or so. My Airstash lasted WAY longer.
Adding to the problem is the charging cable which unlike most things these days is unique to this drive instead of having let's say a micro USB port to charge with. So this is one more cable and charger you have to carry around when you travel.
Thirdly, in order to transfer files from your computer, again instead of a standard or micro USB port there is a clumsy looking adapter which has to be plugged into the end of the drive after removing a cover which looks like it would be very easy to break. This adapter comes with a detachable cable and again this cable is unique to the product. The third thing for me is no big deal since I only use this to watch movies, but if you are using this to travel with other types of files and need to transfer files in multiple places, then this is another cable and adapter to carry. The drive will charge off of it's USB connection. I just don't see why Seagate could not just put a standard or micro-USB port on the unit for charging and file transfer like the Airstash.
Overall, I found the Goflex a great performer in terms of actual streaming of media and the user interface was also great, but poor battery life and the lack of cross-compatible cables for file transfer and charging limit it's usefulness for the traveler. -
alllll my movies!!
by DagWeatherspoon on August 1, 2011
Pros: Easy to attach to the drive and have alll my movies and other stuff I cudn't take along before
Cons: For movies its perfect, but I wait for upgrade for music to be more like itunes!
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Supplement for table and smart phone memory.
by rajeevnandy on May 18, 2011
Pros: Battery backup, simultaneous streaming up to 3 devices, large memory for portable devices as well as for PC / Laptop, flexible interface.
Cons: No cons found yet.
Summary: The 'bad' listed in review is unfounded. Built in Wifi is not a replacement for your broadband subscription. With Seagate flexible interface module you can connect to USB 3.0.
Summary: The 'bad' listed in review is unfounded. Built in Wifi is not a replacement for your broadband subscription. With Seagate flexible interface module you can connect to USB 3.0.
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Supplement for table and smart phone memory.
by yougangcao on January 12, 2012
Pros: Wifi streaming is very good,and the transmission speed is fast.
Cons: No cons found yet
Summary: large memory for portable devices as well as for PC / Laptop, flexible interface.
Summary: large memory for portable devices as well as for PC / Laptop, flexible interface.
0 out of 1 users found this user opinion helpful.
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Needs to supp HTML file struct using a web browser.
by oma1955 on July 19, 2011
Pros: Works well with a USB cable.
Cons: I will not purchase an iPad until HTML file structure is supported.
0 out of 2 users found this user opinion helpful.
Specifications
- Manufacturer: Seagate Technology
- Part number: STBF500101
- Description: GoFlex Satellite mobile wireless storage allows you to carry your media library with you while on-the-go and wirelessly stream movies, photos, music and documents to your iPad, Android tablet or smartphone. The GoFlex Satellite device includes a fast USB 3.0/USB 2.0 connect ion and downloadable Media Sync software to easily transfer media and documents from your PC or Mac computer. The GoFlex Satellite device can store over 300 HD movies, so you’ll never have to worry about runnin g out of space on your tablet or smartphone. After you load your media on to the GoFlex Satellite device, it can be streamed to your tablet or smartphone via its Wi-Fi connection, making the solution completely wireless. Leave it in your bag, set it on the table, place it anywhere in the car – with a range of up to 150ft you’ll never feel tethered to your storage. Best of all, the GoFlex Satellite device creates its own Wi-Fi network, so there’s no Internet required – take it all with you and access it wherever, whenever. To enhance your experience even further, download the free GoFlex Media app for iPad, iPhone, iPod touch, Android tablets and smartphones from the Apple App store or the Android Market. The GoFlex Media app is tailored for the GoFlex Satellite device allowing you to easily sort through your media library by Videos, Photos, or Music, keyword search, and folder and thumbnail views. The app also allows you to download movies and other media from the GoFlex Satellite device, so that you can enjoy your content later, when not connected or extend the battery life of both your mobile device and GoFlex Satellite. If you love media, it’s only fair to share. The GoFlex Satellite device can stream movies and other media to almost any device that has a web browser and Wi-Fi connectivity. If your friends and family have a smartphone, tablet or laptop, they can enjoy your media content too. In fact, the GoFlex Satellite device can stream 3 different movies to 3 devices simultaneously, so everyone in the family can enjoy their favorite content. Additionally, the built-in battery enables the GoFlex Satellite device to standby, ready to serve media for up to 25 hours and can continuously stream up to 5 hours of video on a single charge.
General
- Packaged Quantity 1
- Device Type Network drive
- Host Connectivity SuperSpeed USB 3.0 / 802.11b/g/n
- Total Storage Capacity 500 GB
- Width 3.5 in
- Depth 4.7 in
- Height 0.9 in
- Weight 9.4 oz
Storage Controller
- Type Serial ATA
- Interface Type SuperSpeed USB 3.0
Hard Drive
- Type Standard
- Capacity 1 x 500 GB
- Features G-Force Protection
Hard Drive (2nd)
- Type None
Optical Storage
- Type None
Storage Removable
- Type None
Networking
- Type Wireless access point
- Data Link Protocol IEEE 802.11b ,
IEEE 802.11n ,
IEEE 802.11g - Encryption Algorithm WPA
Expansion / Connectivity
- Interfaces 1 x SuperSpeed USB 3.0
Miscellaneous
- Cables Included 1 x SuperSpeed USB cable
Power
- Power Device Battery
Battery
- Technology Lithium ion
- Run Time (Up To) 5 hour(s)
Software / System Requirements
- OS Required Apple MacOS X 10.5.8 or later,
Microsoft Windows Vista / XP / 7 Manufacturer Warranty
- Service & Support 3 years warranty
- Service & Support Details Limited warranty - 3 years
Manufacturer info
- Manufacturer profile
- Browse Seagate Technology products on Shopper.com
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- Manufacturer:Seagate Technology
- Address:
920 Disc Dr., Scotts Valley, CA 95066 - Phone: 1-405-324-4700
- Fax: 1-405-324-4702
