Seagate GoFlex USB 3.0 module rip off?

augustus524

Junior Member
May 17, 2005
9
0
61
the USB 3.0 module is a rip off???

Can someone explain to me: if USB 3.0 interface is backward compatible with USB 2.0, why are Seagate selling it separately?


Why can't the drive comes with USB 3.0 or Firewire? Why would I need to buy a USB 3.0 cable separately when I can also use it

under a USB 2.0 port on my laptop?
 

Rifter

Lifer
Oct 9, 1999
11,522
751
126
what?

if you want the speed buy the USB 3 interface, if you are happy with USB 2 speeds then dont.

Your post makes no sense, why would they include USB 3 for added cost when most people that buy this are only going to be using USB 2 anyways?
 

FishAk

Senior member
Jun 13, 2010
987
0
0
It's not clear to me what you are asking.

USB 3 is backwards compatible with USB 2. USB 2 is not forwards compatible with USB 3.

A USB 3 cable will work with USB 3 and USB 2.

A USB 2 cable will work with USB 2, but it will not work with USB 3.
 

Golgatha

Lifer
Jul 18, 2003
12,356
953
126
They want to sell you a $1.00 cable for $30.00. Very simple really. Why give away a high margin item?
 

faxon

Platinum Member
May 23, 2008
2,109
1
81
They want to sell you a $1.00 cable for $30.00. Very simple really. Why give away a high margin item?
actually its more than that, the module has that same NEC controller in it that everything else USB3 has, which i HIGHLY doubt costs a dollar :)
 

ZetaEpyon

Golden Member
Jun 13, 2000
1,118
0
0
@Rifterut & faxon: so there is a chip inside the module?

Yes, the GoFlex modules contain whatever controller is needed for that interface. On GoFlex drives, the connector exposed is just normal SATA & power; there's no other circuitry involved in the drive itself.

So the USB 3.0 cable contains the USB 3.0 chip, the Firewire one contains the Firewire chip, etc.