Seagate 1TB Mobile HDD SATA 6Gb/s 128MB Cache 2.5" Internal Bare Drive (ST1000LM035)
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AI Verdict
This 1TB, 7mm thin, 5400 RPM mechanical drive is for laptops needing cheap, high-capacity secondary storage, not primary system drives.
This 1024 GB, 5400 RPM mechanical drive is a situational fit because its 7mm thinness and large capacity are appealing for secondary storage in laptops. However, its mechanical nature means slower performance and a higher risk of failure compared to modern alternatives.
If you need faster performance for your operating system or frequently used applications, look for a 2.5-inch SATA Solid State Drive (SSD) with similar capacity.
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Pros
- Offers 1024 GB of storage capacity in a 2.5-inch form factor
- Measures 7mm thin, allowing for installation in slim laptops
- Connects via a standard SATA 6Gb/s interface for broad compatibility
- Lightweight design supports portable computers without adding bulk
- Can store up to 200,000 photos, 250,000 songs, or 124 hours of high-definition video
Cons
- Operates at 5400 RPM, resulting in slower data transfer speeds compared to 7200 RPM HDDs or SSDs
- Mechanical drive design is susceptible to damage from drops or impacts
- Some users report audible clicking noises during operation, indicating potential issues
- Performance can degrade significantly with fragmentation or age, leading to system slowdowns
- Higher power consumption compared to solid-state drives, potentially reducing laptop battery life
Dimension Scores
The 5400 RPM rotational speed means data transfer rates are below average compared to 7200 RPM HDDs and significantly slower than SSDs.
Multiple user reports indicate premature failures, clicking noises, and bad sectors appearing within a few months to a couple of years of use.
Offering 1024 GB in a 2.5-inch, 7mm form factor provides a substantial amount of storage for laptops, which is above average for its physical size.
The standard 2.5-inch form factor and SATA 6Gb/s interface ensure broad compatibility with most laptops and external enclosures.
Best For
- Adding secondary storage to a laptop for large media files or documents
- Budget-conscious laptop upgrades where capacity is the main priority
- Use in external enclosures for backups or archival storage
- Replacing a smaller capacity 2.5-inch HDD in an older laptop
Not Recommended For
- Primary boot drive for operating systems or frequently accessed applications
- Users requiring fast application loading times or quick file transfers
- Environments where drive noise is a significant concern
- Mission-critical data storage without a robust backup strategy
Watch Out For
- Users have reported the drive becoming unresponsive or failing after 2 years of use in devices like PlayStation 4 Slim and Xbox One S
- Slow read/write speeds, sometimes described as 'a bit on the low side' for sequential operations, are normal for this 5400 RPM drive
- Audible clicking sounds are a 'HUGE warning sign of a failing drive' and indicate immediate data backup is needed
- Some drives have shown '39000 bad sectors' after 8 months of use, leading to games crashing and system slowdowns
- Accidental quick-formatting can make data recovery difficult, especially if the drive supports TRIM
Full Specifications
| RAM | 6 GB |
| ASIN | B01C4W29XC |
| Brand | Seagate |
| Series | Laptop (Momentus Thin) |
| Hard Drive | 1 TB Mechanical Hard Disk |
| Item Weight | 3.17 ounces |
| Manufacturer | SEAGATE |
| Hard Disk Size | 1 TB |
| Special Feature | Portable |
| Flash Memory Size | 1 |
| Hardware Platform | PC |
| Installation Type | Internal Hard Drive |
| Item model number | ST1000LM035 |
| Compatible Devices | Laptop |
| Product Dimensions | 3.95 x 2.75 x 0.27 inches |
| Hard Disk Interface | Serial ATA-600 |
| Hard Drive Interface | Serial ATA-600 |
| Hard Disk Description | Mechanical Hard Disk |
| Hard Disk Form Factor | 2.5 Inches |
| Item Dimensions LxWxH | 3.95 x 2.75 x 0.27 inches |
| Connectivity Technology | SATA |
| Number of USB 2.0 Ports | 1 |
| Digital Storage Capacity | 1024 GB |
| Hard Drive Rotational Speed | 5400 RPM |
| Is Discontinued By Manufacturer | No |
What Buyers Say
Many users bought this drive for its 1TB capacity and thin 7mm profile, especially for older laptops or game consoles, but the 5400 RPM speed is a constant point of contention. While some found it quiet and easy to install, a recurring theme in complaints is the drive's longevity, with numerous reports of clicking sounds, bad sectors, and outright failure after a relatively short period, sometimes within two years. The performance is generally considered slow, particularly for a primary drive, and users often regret not opting for an SSD instead.
“Man, I thought I was getting a deal with this 1TB for my PS4, but after 8 months, games started crashing, and now it's got like 39,000 bad sectors. Should've just saved up for an SSD, this thing is a joke.”
Common Praise
- The 7mm thinness fits into many compact laptop chassis
- Provides 1024 GB of storage, which is a lot for a 2.5-inch drive
- Installation is straightforward across various systems, including laptops and gaming consoles
- Some users report it operates quietly, even during extended use
Common Complaints
- Frequent reports of the drive developing clicking noises, indicating impending failure
- Many users experienced premature drive failure or unresponsiveness within 8 months to 2 years
- Slow data transfer speeds, especially for random read/write operations, due to its 5400 RPM
- Development of bad sectors, leading to system slowdowns and data corruption
- Higher power consumption compared to SSDs, impacting laptop battery life
Ownership Tips
- The 5400 RPM speed becomes noticeably slow when used as a primary drive, especially for OS boot times and application launches.
- Clicking sounds, even faint ones, are a serious indicator of potential drive failure and should prompt immediate data backup.
- Despite the 128MB cache, the mechanical nature and 5400 RPM limit its real-world performance for anything beyond basic file storage.
- The drive can generate more heat and consume more power than an SSD, which might be noticeable in a laptop's battery life and chassis temperature.
- Data recovery after failure can be extremely difficult or impossible, especially if the drive was quick-formatted or has physical damage.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the RPM of this hard drive?
This Seagate Mobile HDD operates at 5400 revolutions per minute (RPM).
Is this drive suitable as a primary drive for my laptop?
While it can function as a primary drive, its 5400 RPM speed will result in slower boot times and application loading compared to a solid-state drive (SSD).
How thin is this drive?
The drive has a thin 7mm profile, making it compatible with many slim laptop designs.
What kind of interface does it use?
It uses a standard SATA 6Gb/s interface, which is common for internal laptop hard drives.
Is this drive quiet?
Some users report quiet operation, but others have experienced clicking noises, which can indicate a failing drive.
Buying Guide
When you're looking at internal drives like this, you're essentially choosing between speed and capacity for your money. Mechanical hard drives (HDDs) like this one use spinning platters and read/write heads, which means they're slower but cheaper per gigabyte. Solid-state drives (SSDs) have no moving parts, making them much faster and more durable, but they cost more for the same amount of storage. You need to decide if you prioritize quick access to your files and programs or just need a lot of space for less cash.
Capacity (1024 GB)
This is how much data you can store. Think of it like a digital closet; 1024 GB is a pretty big closet, enough for thousands of photos, songs, or hours of video. If you're just storing documents, it's overkill; if you're a gamer or video editor, it might fill up fast.
Interface (SATA 6Gb/s)
This is the connection type and how fast data can theoretically travel between the drive and your computer. SATA 6Gb/s is a common standard, but the drive's internal speed (like its RPM) is often the real bottleneck, not the interface itself.
Form Factor (2.5 Inches)
This refers to the physical size of the drive. A 2.5-inch drive is standard for laptops. Make sure your device has a compatible bay for this size, especially if it's a very thin or compact model.
Drive Type (Mechanical Hard Disk)
This tells you it's an HDD, meaning it has moving parts. This makes it slower and more prone to damage from drops compared to an SSD. It's like comparing a record player to a digital music file – one has moving parts, the other doesn't.
Alternatives
If you need faster performance for your operating system and applications, look for a 2.5-inch SATA SSD. If you need even more storage capacity and don't mind a larger size, consider a 3.5-inch internal HDD for desktop use.
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