The Iomega Zip drive once was synonymous with consumer-friendly data backup. Seagate aims to change that with a huge makeover of its FreeAgent line of external hard disks and a companion advertising campaign designed to tug at the heartstrings of today's increasingly media-consuming families.

Announced Monday, Seagate's new FreeAgent models include the portable FreeAgent|Go and the desktop FreeAgent|Desk (both available in separate editions for Windows PCs and Macs) as well as the high-performance desktop FreeAgent|XTreme for Windows PCs. The goal of the new line of products is to "Save, Share. Simplify."

The FreeAgent|Go's most exciting feature is on the outside - but it's not the choice of four colors (silver, black, red, or blue) or even the brushed metal finish designed to repel scratches and fingerprints. Instead, it's the optional docking station. Out of the box, you can connect the FreeAgent|Go to a USB 2.0 port with the included detachable 18-inch cable. However, you can also buy a vertical docking station (in silver or black only) that connects to a USB 2.0 port with a four-foot cable; the station sells for $29.99. FreeAgent|Go is available in 320GB capacity ($149.99) in all four colors, with 250GB ($119.99) and 500GB ($239.99) sizes available in silver and black only.

FreeAgent|Desk is the mainstream desktop member of the family, featuring a USB 2.0 interface, a convertible horizontal/vertical design, and 7200 RPM drive speed. It's available in silver only, but in four capacities: 500GB ($129.99), 640GB ($149.99), 1TB ($229.99), and 1.5TB ($279.99 - available in October).

FreeAgent|XTreme offers the same capacities as the FreeAgent|Desk, but adds an eSATA and a FireWire 400 port. XTreme comes in black only, in the following capacities: 500GB ($159.99), 640GB ($179.99), 1TB ($259.99), and 1.5TB ($299.99 - available in October).

All drives include Seagate Manager automatic backup and file synchronization software. Windows versions also include software-based AES 256-bit encryption and Seagate DrivePass password protection. All drives save power by going into sleep mode after 15 minutes of idle time, and the desktop versions include Energy Star star-rated AC adapters. All drives feature Seagate's 5-year warranty.

Do you think the new docking station option is enough to make you switch to a new portable drive, or are you happy with what you're using now? Are you saving up for a 1.5TB desktop drive? Is the eSATA capability worth $20 or $30 more (I think it is, but you might not agree). Click Comment and let us store your opinions.

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storage, backup, seagate, external hard disk, portable hard disk, consumer electronics, desktop hard disk

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