FireCuda Forge Drive
Seagate introduced the FireCuda Forge, an external storage drive combining a high-capacity hard drive with an NVMe solid-state drive, Ars Technica reported. The device pairs mechanical storage space with flash memory speed using a USB4 connection, according to Notebookcheck.
Hybrid storage drives largely fell out of fashion after the early 2010s because solid-state storage grew cheaper and Apple’s old Fusion Drive proved fragile, Ars Technica reported. Storage costs in 2026 have changed that math. NAND flash remains fast but expensive, while traditional mechanical drives offer cheaper per-terabyte pricing for large capacities, Ars Technica reported.
Alkemi Intelligent Storage
Seagate powers the new system with its Alkemi intelligent storage platform, which manages data placement directly from the enclosure, Ars Technica reported. Alkemi uses machine learning to automatically move files between the hard drive and the SSD based on user activity, according to Notebookcheck.
Active files like games, project files, and recent captures stay prioritized on the SSD for faster access, Notebookcheck reported. As reported by Ars Technica, Seagate explains that Alkemi continuously learns and adapts to keep frequently accessed files quickly available on a user’s SSD, while the HDD handles expanding collections.
Pricing and Hardware
The FireCuda Forge is available in two configurations, including an 8 TB model priced at $699 and a 20 TB version costing $899, Notebookcheck reported. Buyers must purchase and integrate their own M.2 2280 NVMe solid-state drive separately since neither variant comes with one preinstalled; this component must feature PCIe 3.0 or greater compatibility, deliver read velocities of 2,400 MB/s or higher alongside write velocities of 2,000 MB/s or greater, and hold a capacity limit of 1 TB, per Notebookcheck.
Unlike Apple’s older Fusion Drive, which relied on macOS-managed tiering and risked total volume failure if one disk broke, the FireCuda Forge allows users to replace the internal hard drives later, Notebookcheck reported. The system reaches sequential read speeds up to 2,500 MB/s and write speeds up to 2,000 MB/s while supporting Windows 11 and macOS 26 or later, Notebookcheck reported.
Drive Platform Details
Product documentation from the FireCuda Forge website describes the Alkemi system as a two-tier storage system, Ars Technica reported. However, the data sheet does not elaborate on whether the platform relies strictly on SSD caching, automated tiering, or a combination of both, according to Ars Technica.
Does the Seagate FireCuda Forge Include an SSD?
Does the Seagate FireCuda Forge include an SSD out of the box?
No, neither the 8 TB nor the 20 TB configuration includes an SSD, requiring users to supply and install their own M.2 2280 NVMe drive, Notebookcheck reported.
What operating systems are supported by the external drive?
The FireCuda Forge supports computers running Windows 11 or macOS 26 and later, according to Notebookcheck.
What are the official pricing tiers for the device?
The 8 TB model costs $699 and the 20 TB version costs $899 through Seagate’s online store and authorized retailers, Notebookcheck reported.