External hard drives tend to be the sort of components that are inherently useful, but rarely differ much in terms of features or functionality. Pounds per megabyte is surely the most important consideration, and while performance does vary it's rarely to an extent that makes a big difference to the average consumer.

Seagate has obviously realised this and, in its new Freeagent Pro range, attempts to offer an extra incentive by including an impressive list of features you might not find elsewhere.

The solidly built, 7,200rpm external drive uses an asymmetrical black case design with a built-in orange light to add some degree of style and dynamism to proceedings. By default you'll find a small mounting block fitted that incorporates USB 2.0 and eSata ports, but if you're in the FireWire business this can be removed and replaced with the FireWire mount supplied in the box.

When you plug the drive in for the first time you'll find Seagate's software suite pre-loaded, so you can install it directly rather than digging out a separate CD. Once done you unlock a range of useful features that helps Seagate distance itself from more straightforward rivals.

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A comprehensive backup management application allows you to schedule backups for different times as well as synchronising multiple copies over more than one media format. You could, for example, copy your music to the backup drive and at the same time send another copy to your iPod or audio storage device.

The most impressive feature here, though, is the addition of online storage, 500GB of which you're given for free on a six month trial when you purchase the drive. This allows you to send additional copies to an online server either for extra backup security or to allow you to access your files from anywhere in the world. After the six month trial is up you can extend the service for a fee, but it's certainly a great way to offer an extra incentive to buy.

In addition to these tools you'll find that files are automatically verified when copied for extra piece of mind, and you can run full drive diagnostics from the suite. You can also adjust sleep timings and turn the light on and off, culminating in an impressive degree of management and control.

As our initial argument suggests, though, all of this wouldn't have nearly as much impact if the drive were overpriced in today's market, and thankfully we can tell you that it is not. The 750GB version, for example, the largest in a range that also includes smaller 320 and 500GB alternatives, can be found online currently for as low as £160. For this sort of capacity and in an external drive as versatile as the Freeagent Pro, this means superb value for money.

The Seagate Freeagent Pro slots nicely into the all-too-rare bracket of a product that offers great performance and features without hitting your wallet too hard. You'll find you can pick up a Freeagent Pro for cheaper than nearly all similar capacity rivals, both internal and external, few of which offer the sorts of extra features found here.