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The Bottom Line
![Seagate Backup Plus STDA4000100 4TB External Portable HDD Review 99 Seagate Backup Plus STDA4000100 4TB External Portable HDD Review 99](https://static.tweaktown.com/content/7/3/7324_99_seagate-backup-plus-4tb-external-hdd-review.png)
External hard drives are nothing new in today's market. With that said, the small form factor 2.5" has started to shift into high capacity solutions. For the longest time, it appeared 1TB was the capacity plateau, until late last year into early 2015 when Toshiba launched its first 2TB 2.5" HDD that we found in several products from ADATA. Now, just a few months later, Seagate has passed the 1TB and 2TB marks, offering up a 4TB solution in the external storage market.
The Backup Plus is latest high capacity solution for consumers that have a large amount of data. This solution comes with a comfy 4TB of capacity accessible through a USB 3.0 connection, while the weight comes in at 541 grams so it is a little over a pound, dimensions fall into the small form factor category at 114mm x 78mm. As of this writing, Seagate is also included a two year 200GB subscription to OneDrive allowing you to backup and store your memories on the cloud.
MSRP of the Seagate Backup Plus 4TB is listed at $179.99 with a two-year warranty.
![Seagate Backup Plus STDA4000100 4TB External Portable HDD Review 02 Seagate Backup Plus STDA4000100 4TB External Portable HDD Review 02](https://static.tweaktown.com/content/7/3/7324_02_seagate-backup-plus-4tb-external-hdd-review.jpg)
Packaging for the Backup Plus carries the latest Seagate logo at the top next to the drive capacity. The bottom carries an image of the drive to the right, while the marketing information is to the left.
![Seagate Backup Plus STDA4000100 4TB External Portable HDD Review 04 Seagate Backup Plus STDA4000100 4TB External Portable HDD Review 04](https://static.tweaktown.com/content/7/3/7324_04_seagate-backup-plus-4tb-external-hdd-review.jpg)
Scope of delivery includes a quick start guide, USB 3.0 cable, and the drive itself.
![Seagate Backup Plus STDA4000100 4TB External Portable HDD Review 05 Seagate Backup Plus STDA4000100 4TB External Portable HDD Review 05](https://static.tweaktown.com/content/7/3/7324_05_seagate-backup-plus-4tb-external-hdd-review.jpg)
The drive itself is rather sleek with its all black design, with just a hint of chrome in the corner Seagate logo.
![Seagate Backup Plus STDA4000100 4TB External Portable HDD Review 07 Seagate Backup Plus STDA4000100 4TB External Portable HDD Review 07](https://static.tweaktown.com/content/7/3/7324_07_seagate-backup-plus-4tb-external-hdd-review.jpg)
The front edge of the drive houses the USB 3.0 connection, while just above on the face of the drive is a white LED for activity.
![Seagate Backup Plus STDA4000100 4TB External Portable HDD Review 10 Seagate Backup Plus STDA4000100 4TB External Portable HDD Review 10](https://static.tweaktown.com/content/7/3/7324_10_seagate-backup-plus-4tb-external-hdd-review.png)
Seagate Dashboard has been the application used with the entire range of Backup Plus solutions. As you can see, it is straightforward and easy to use with just a few options on the exterior.
![Seagate Backup Plus STDA4000100 4TB External Portable HDD Review 11 Seagate Backup Plus STDA4000100 4TB External Portable HDD Review 11](https://static.tweaktown.com/content/7/3/7324_11_seagate-backup-plus-4tb-external-hdd-review.png)
When you choose to create a backup plan, the option for a quick backup is seen to the left, while you can create a full plan with the option to the right.
![Seagate Backup Plus STDA4000100 4TB External Portable HDD Review 13 Seagate Backup Plus STDA4000100 4TB External Portable HDD Review 13](https://static.tweaktown.com/content/7/3/7324_13_seagate-backup-plus-4tb-external-hdd-review.png)
In addition to scheduling backups, the Dashboard application allows you to connect to several cloud services.
![Seagate Backup Plus STDA4000100 4TB External Portable HDD Review 14 Seagate Backup Plus STDA4000100 4TB External Portable HDD Review 14](https://static.tweaktown.com/content/7/3/7324_14_seagate-backup-plus-4tb-external-hdd-review.png)
To start off testing, we have our sequential transfer results. Above, the Backup Plus was able to touch 142 MB/s read and 137 MB/s write, which by today's standards is rather quick for a small form factor HDD.
![Seagate Backup Plus STDA4000100 4TB External Portable HDD Review 15 Seagate Backup Plus STDA4000100 4TB External Portable HDD Review 15](https://static.tweaktown.com/content/7/3/7324_15_seagate-backup-plus-4tb-external-hdd-review.png)
Our price/performance chart takes a look at the Backup Plus as it makes its entry as the top drive.
The Backup Plus is a unique solution in that its one of the very few products on the market offering such a large capacity in a small form factor. In the past, we have seen similar products come from Seagate offering a 4TB capacity, like the Backup Plus FAST that had dual 2TB drives in a software RAID, but this solution is unequalled. I say this because I'm almost 100% sure that this solution houses the new Spinpoint M10P 2.5" HDD which is a 4TB 2.5" SATA drive.
Build quality of the Backup Plus is top notch like what we have always seen from Seagate, while the drive design gives a clean looking exterior with its metal top panel and underlying plastic enclosure. Performance was again leading our charts as the Backup Plus took over top marks in our sequential testing, and if we look at our price/performance chart, you will see this solution has made it to the top end there as well. The Seagate Dashboard hasn't changed too much in the last year or so, but it still carries all the functionality that one would need. It allows a quick and dirty backup of all your data, or you can go the other route and schedule a backup that runs constantly.
Pricing of the Seagate Backup Plus puts the 4TB model at $179.99 with a two-year warranty, and looking at the market, it's the only drive next to the Samsung P3 Portable with a 4TB capacity in the 2.5" form factor, and that product happens to use a Seagate hard drive too.
![Seagate Backup Plus STDA4000100 4TB External Portable HDD Review 100 Seagate Backup Plus STDA4000100 4TB External Portable HDD Review 100](https://static.tweaktown.com/content/7/3/7324_100_seagate-backup-plus-4tb-external-hdd-review.png)
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Performance | 92% |
Quality including Design and Build | 89% |
General Features | 90% |
Bundle and Packaging | 89% |
Value for Money | 88% |
Overall | 90% |
The Bottom Line: Seagate's Backup Plus 4TB has the performance, capacity, and flexibility any consumer would want for backing up their data.
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