13 best external hard drives for macs
External hard drives for Macs are popular accessories used to expand storage capacity, create backups, and transfer data for Apple Macintosh computers. These external drives are designed to work seamlessly with Macs, offering compatibility with macOS and the Apple ecosystem.Here are some key points about external hard drives for Macs:
Compatibility: External hard drives for Macs are formatted to work with macOS, which means they are typically pre-formatted with the Apple File System (APFS) or macOS Extended (HFS+) file systems. This ensures easy plug-and-play functionality with Mac computers.
Storage Capacity: These drives come in various storage capacities, ranging from a few hundred gigabytes (GB) to several terabytes (TB). Users can choose the capacity that best suits their needs, whether it's for simple document storage or extensive multimedia libraries.
Connection Interfaces: Mac-compatible external hard drives often support multiple connection interfaces, including USB-C/Thunderbolt 3, USB 3.0/3.1, and FireWire. The choice of interface depends on the Mac's ports and the desired data transfer speed.
Portability: Many external hard drives for Macs are compact and portable, making them easy to carry around. Some models are specifically designed for on-the-go use and are ruggedized to withstand physical shocks and environmental factors.
Backup Solutions: Some external drives come with built-in backup software that simplifies the process of creating automatic backups of important data. Time Machine, Apple's native backup software, is often compatible with these drives.
Encryption and Security: To protect sensitive data, some external drives for Macs offer hardware or software-based encryption options. This ensures that data remains secure even if the drive is lost or stolen.
Performance: High-performance external drives are available for users who require fast data transfer speeds, such as video editors or gamers. These drives may feature solid-state drives (SSDs) or high-speed rotational hard disk drives (HDDs).
Network Attached Storage (NAS): For users needing shared storage across multiple devices and platforms, some external drives offer NAS capabilities. These devices can be accessed over a network by Macs, Windows PCs, and other devices.
Media and File Management: External drives can be used to store multimedia libraries, photos, videos, and other large files. This helps free up space on the Mac's internal drive and keeps media collections organized.
Brand Choices: There are various reputable brands that offer external hard drives for Macs, including Western Digital, Seagate, LaCie, and G-Technology. Users can select a brand based on their specific requirements and budget.
External hard drives for Macs are versatile tools that cater to various storage needs, from basic file backups to multimedia storage and high-performance data transfer. They offer an effective way to expand storage capacity, safeguard data, and ensure seamless compatibility with Macintosh computers.
Below you can find our editor's choice of the best external hard drives for macs on the market
Seagate Portable 2TB External Hard Drive Portable HDD – USB 3.0 for PC, Mac, PS4, & Xbox - 1-Year Rescue Service (STGX2000400)
Seagate
Product description
Easily store and access 2TB of content on the go with the Seagate Portable Drive, a great laptop hard drive. Designed to work with Windows or Mac computers, this compact external hard drive makes backup a snap. Just drag and drop To get set up, connect the portable hard drive to a computer for automatic recognition—no software required—and enjoy plug and play simplicity with the included 18 inch USB 3.0 cable.
- Easily store and access 2TB to content on the go with the Seagate Portable Drive, a USB external hard drive
- Designed to work with Windows or Mac computers, this external hard drive makes backup a snap just drag and drop
- To get set up, connect the portable hard drive to a computer for automatic recognition no software required
- This USB drive provides plug and play simplicity with the included 18 inch USB 3.0 cable
- Enjoy long-term peace of mind with the included one-year limited warranty and 1 year rescue data recovery services
Product features
Always Spacious. Always Easy.
Back up yesterday’s memories and today’s documents, even on the go. Seagate Portable makes it possible thanks to the plug-and-play simplicity of USB 3.0 and drag-and-drop functionality.
What's Included
Seagate Portable, 18-inch (45.72cm) USB 3.0 cable, Quick start guide
WD 2TB My Passport Ultra for Mac Silver Portable External Hard Drive, USB-C - WDBKYJ0020BSL-WESN
Western Digital
Product description
The My Passport Ultra is trusted, portable storage in a design that brilliantly pairs metal and matte finishes to create a sophisticated style. It has plenty of space to store all the content you love. Social media and cloud storage import, WD Backup software and password protection help keep all your memories safe and secure. Easy to use, just plug it in to start saving and backing up.
- USB-C ready, USB 3.0 compatible
- Innovative style with refined metal cover
- Password protection with 256-bit AES hardware encryption
- Formatted for Mac
- 3-year manufacturer's limited warranty
Product features
USB-C ready, USB 3.0 compatible
Featuring the latest in USB-C technology, the My Passport Ultra for Mac portable drive delivers quick and easy storage for your Mac, while the included USB-3.0 adapter makes sure it’s compatible with older machines.
Innovative Style and Function
Fusing modern anodized metal and textures, the My Passport Ultra for Mac portable drive matches your personal style and the latest Mac computers.
LaCie LAC9000298 Rugged Mini 2TB External Hard Drive Portable HDD - USB 3.0 USB 2.0 Compatible, Drop Shock Dust Rain Resistant Shuttle Drive, For Mac And PC Computer Desktop Workstation PC Laptop
LaCie
Product description
Travel with a capacity of 2TB in an ultra compact portable hard drive—LaCie Rugged Mini. Seamlessly connect to USB 3. 0 computers, transfer content fast with speeds of up to 130MB/s, and trek confidently with all terrain durability of drop, crush, and rain resistance. This drive even includes a complimentary one month membership to the Adobe Creative Cloud All Apps Plan for access to awesome photo and video editing apps, as well as a two year limited for long term peace of mind.
- Travel with a massive capacity of up to 5TB in an ultra compact portable external hard Drive
- For those who have a need for Speed, seamlessly connect to USB 3. 0 computers and transfer content Fast with speeds of up to 130MB/s
- Trek confidently with an external Hard Drive that offers all terrain durability of drop, crush, and water resistance
- Take advantage of a complimentary 1 month membership to the Adobe creative cloud all apps plan for access to awesome photo and video editing apps
- Enjoy long term peace of mind with the included 2 year limited
Product features
The Smallest Rugged Around
With capacities of up to 5TB, the LaCie Rugged Mini is a small but mighty USB 3.0 portable hard drive. Perfect for busy creatives, it offers premium protection for photos, footage, and more while delivering Mac and Windows compatibility, fast speeds, and customizable backup.
What's Included
LaCie Rugged Mini hard drive, USB 3.0 cable (2.0 compatible), Quick Install Guide
WD 6TB My Book Desktop External Hard Drive, USB 3.0 - WDBBGB0060HBK-NESN
Western Digital
Product description
The My Book drive is trusted desktop storage designed to complement your personal style with a massive amount of space to store your photos, videos, music and documents. Equipped with password protection and perfectly paired with WD Backup or Apple Time Machine, My Book desktop storage helps keep your files safe.
- Auto backup with included WD Backup software and Time Machine compatibility
- Password protection with hardware encryption
- Trusted storage built with WD reliability
- USB 3.0 port; USB 2.0 compatible
- 3-year manufacturer's limited warranty
User questions & answers
| Question: | How many RPM |
| Answer: | I am 100% certain that the drive inside is 5400 RPM. The 4TB is a ASIN:B013HNYV8I WD Blue WD40EZRZ 5400rpm.See my review: https://www.amazon.com/review/R388G5P0ACHROS |
| Question: | I did not realize this has a a/c power cord. does it require a/c power to work or will the usb power it |
| Answer: | A desktop hard drive requires both 12 volts and 5 volts for power while a USB port only supplies 5 volt power. A laptop hard drive does not require 12V power which is why portable drives based on such drives can be powered by the USB port. |
| Question: | What is the hd speed for this storage device? do they spin at 7500 rpm |
| Answer: | We'll need to clarify "speed" vs. rpm to answer the spirit of your question. First, to answer one of the above commenters,- Having RAID doesn't alter the disk spin rate of each drive, and for the original poster the hard drive rpm speed is not necessarily directly tied to the ultimate "speed" you're thinking of, for general questions of speed you should be looking at the Data Read/Write speeds. This unit does have RAID 0 setup out of the box with two 4TB WD Red 5400 rpm drives. But the fact that it's 5400 rpm isn't because it's "cheapo" as mentioned above, it's a very deliberate decision on behalf of the product manufacturers, for very good reason. Most "NAS Certified" spinning hard drives, as the WD Red series is, are 5400 rpm, this is because NAS devices are generally always left on, so that any PC on the network can access the device when needed. Using 5400 rpm drives in this way saves power consumption for each drive; it also keeps the radiant heat down coming off each and every drive in the NAS unit (this unit only has two hard drives but they can have any number of drives: 2, 4, 5, 8, 12, even more in high end units), so if you keep a unit like this on in your room or office it keeps the temperature of the room cooler; it also extends the life of each of the drives, slower spinning disks are proven to be less likely to run into issues than their faster spinning counterparts, and a longer life is CRITICALLY important given the use case of these drives as RAID enabled backup/storage destinations- If RAID 1 is being used, the higher the drive failure rate, the more often you need to be reacting quickly to replace the failed drive, because the second a drive dies in a RAID array you're up against a clock of unknown time-limit counting down to the loss of your data, because if another drive dies before you replace the first and rebuild the array, you will lose all the data on the NAS (in most cases); If RAID 0 is being used as is setup by default, you lose ALL the data the moment EITHER drive dies. So drive longevity is very important. Beyond all those benefits, there's one very important reason to note regarding why it doesn't really negatively impact speed very noticeably when 5400 rpm drives are used- Drives used in a RAID array work as a team, and generally speaking the more drives in a RAID array the faster the read speed, because reads for each file are distributed across all of the spinning disks, meaning the 2 discs in RAID 0 only need to spin up to retrieve half the file each. 3 Discs? 1/3 the seek time (i'm oversimplifying but that's generally a good way to look at it). Given these massive speed increases while working in parallel, any speed bottlenecks you may run into are just as likely to be due to any number of other interface areas. TL;DR- 5400 rpm is GOOD for NAS devices! Increasing to 7200 rpm provides negligible data access speed increases, and could cause various long-term issues. If you need a drive speed increase nowadays you simply pay-up for SSD drives and live in luxury. |
| Question: | Does somebody know which hdd is inside the new wd my book 8 tb ? maybe a helium hitachi or a red wd |
| Answer: | Previously in the case of the 8TB model WD80EZAZ. As of Jan 2021 (and probably earlier) they use WD80EDAZ, mine was manufactured late Sept. 2020. These new ones don't appear to be helium sealed and run quite a bit hotter. Previously the EZAZ drew 400/500mA while these newer EDAZ draw 700/900mA from the +5/12V rails so that probably accounts for the extra heat. |
Product features
Complete Backup
My Book desktop storage comes equipped with WD Backup software and Time Machine compatibility* to help make sure your photos, videos, music and documents don’t get lost. You can set it to run automatically to your schedule. Just pick the time and frequency to back up important files from your system.
*Reformatting required.
External CD Drive USB 3.0 Portable CD DVD +/-RW Drive DVD/CD ROM Rewriter Burner Writer Compatible with Laptop Desktop PC Windows Mac Pro MacBook
Rioddas
- Plug & play. Easy to use,powered by USB port. No external driver and Power needed. Just plug it into your USB port and the DVD driver will be detected
- High speed. Compatible with USB3. 0 and backwards compatible with USB2. 0 , bringing faster data transmission speed (up to a maximum of 5Gbps) and stable performance with strong fault tolerance
- Intelligent tech. Designed with eject button so that you never have to worry about your disc getting stuck inside this external CD/DVD drive. The copper mesh technology of this external component, you can be rest assured of stable data transmission
- Trendy design. Brushed texture shell brings trendy sight and touch enjoyment. Embedded cable design, worry- off cable missing any when and where
- Wide compatibility. Ideal for various devices. It supports Windows XP/2003/Vista/7/8. 1/10, Linux, all version Mac OS system. For the desktops, Please connect the device to the back USB port of the motherboard for normal use
User questions & answers
| Question: | Does this work with windows |
| Answer: | It should work with Windows 8 though I only used with Windows 10. If you insert a DVD and a video player does not start up, you may need a player that will recognize the drive. On a recommendation from a friend, I installed "VLC media player" and this app opens when I insert a DVD into the Riodadas player. VLC is a free and open source media player that works with all Windows versions. You can get the player here: https://www.videolan.org/vlc/ |
| Question: | Can this be used to install windows 10 without the need to somehow install a driver first? it's rather tough to do that when trying to install an os |
| Answer: | This is basically a laptop optical drive in an external case with USB connection. I would think so. If the installation disk contains the installation software and the computer can access a USB device then it should. Changes to the boot device may be required. |
| Question: | Does this play games like sims |
| Answer: | It's played all my games without so much of a skip. |
| Question: | Does this work on macs |
| Answer: | Won't work with Mac 10.15.7! It was working before; now it seems useless. I see someone else is having this issue. |
Fantom Drives Gforce3 Pro 3TB 7200 RPM USB 3.0 Aluminum External Hard Drive - Great for Mac, Windows, PS4, and Xbox (GF3B3000UP)
Fantom Drives
Product description
The GFORCE 3 family of external hard drives is easy to use and plug and play with any Windows PC. To use the hard drive with Mac or any other operating systems, a simple and quick format of the 500GB hard drive is needed (we've included easy to use instructions). The GF3B500UP model is a very fast 7200RPM hard drive which is 25% faster than a 5400RPM hard drive. The GFORCE 3 family is made from sturdy and robust aluminum with a stylish brushed black finish. The aluminum material doubles as a heat sink allowing the GFORCE 3 to operate fan-free and silently. It comes with a stand so it can be stored horizontally or vertically to optimize and fit your work space. The GFORCE 3 is great for PC's, Macbook Pro, Xbox One, PS4 (PlayStation 4) and any other devices that need fast data transfer. Fantom Drives is proudly Designed, Engineered and Assembled in United States since 1988.
- Easy and simple to use. Plug and play out of the box. Simply plug in the power adapter and USB cable
- Fast file transfers with SuperSpeed USB 3.0. Backwards compatible with USB 2.0.
- 7200 RPM for fast performance. Supports Mac OS X 10.6 or later, Windows 7 or later.
- Durable and stylish aluminum case provides great fanless cooling for hard drives. Comes with 1 Year Manufacturer Warranty.
- Great for your home network, MAC, PC, PS4 (PlayStation 4) with Patch 4.5+, and Xbox.
Product features
Even Faster Transfer Rates
The Gforce 3 Pro 7200RPM is generally 33% faster than the 5400RPM series. Reach even faster rates with the newest generation USB 3.0* allowing transfer rates up to 10 times the rate of USB 2.0.
Audio and Video For Professionals
The Gforce 3 Pro USB 3.0 hard drive is perfect for audio and video professionals requiring maximum performance and reliability.
Natural Heat Sink
The hard and durable aluminum casing acts as a natural heat sink to allow for a fan-free design.
Horizontal or Vertical
The Gforce 3 Pro can be stored horizontally or vertically to optimize your workspace.
Seagate Backup Plus 5TB External Hard Drive Portable HDD – Light Blue USB 3.0 for PC Laptop and Mac, 1 year MylioCreate, 2 Months Adobe CC Photography, 2-Year Rescue Service (STHP5000402)
Seagate
Product description
Store and access 5TB of photos and files on the go with Seagate Backup Plus Portable. The perfect compliment to personal aesthetic, it features a minimalist brushed metal enclosure and quick plug-and-play connectivity with the included USB 3.0 cable. Great as a Mac external hard drive or Windows drive, simply back up with a single click or schedule automatic daily, weekly, or monthly backups. Plus—edit, manage, and share photos with a one-year complimentary subscription to Mylio Create and a two-month membership to Adobe Creative Cloud Photography Plan
- Store and access 5TB of photos and files with Seagate Backup Plus Portable, an on-the-go USB drive for Mac and Windows
- The perfect compliment to personal aesthetic, this portable external hard drive features a minimalist brushed metal enclosure
- Great as a laptop hard drive or PC hard drive, simply plug in via USB 3.0 to back up with a single click or schedule automatic daily, weekly, or monthly backups. Reformatting may be required for use with Time Machine.
- Edit, manage, and share photos with a one-year complimentary subscription to Mylio Create and a two-month membership to Adobe Creative Cloud Photography Plan
- Enjoy long-term peace of mind with the included two-year limited warranty and two-yr Rescue Data Recovery Services
User questions & answers
| Question: | Will this work with ipad 11 pro |
| Answer: | 1. Yes, you should be able to insert this SSD into an M.2 slot on your motherboard. 2. The SSD has about 237 GB usable space; after your operating system, page file, and hibernation file, about 210 GB. It has enough room for frequently used applications, but you should probably invest in a mechanical hard drive to use alongside. |
| Question: | Will this work with an iPad |
| Answer: | No. You need to purchase an adapter. |
| Question: | anyone experience disk not ejected properly issue? I use MacBook pro 2019, didn't reconfigure, if need to, pls show me how to reconfigure for mac |
| Answer: | most likely, but it acts like a converter even if it doesn't fit in the case. |
| Question: | Is it compatible with Windows Vista |
| Answer: | I bought a HGST 1TB 8MB Cache 5400RPM SATA III (6.0Gb/s) 2.5" PS3 & PS4 Hard Drive -0J22413 - works great. |
LaCie Mobile Drive 5TB External Hard Drive Portable HDD – Moon Silver USB-C USB 3.0, for Mac and PC Desktop, 1 Month Adobe CC (STHG5000400)
LaCie
Product description
Perfect for on-the-go, high-speed file transfers, LaCie Mobile Drive is an elegant yet powerful portable external hard drive for Mac Pro, iMac Pro, Mac laptops, and PCs. Its lightweight, all-aluminum, moon silver design perfectly complements Macbooks. Seamlessly connect to Thunderbolt 3, USB-C, and USB 3. 0 computers—and sync file across devices for superior organization. Plus—enjoy long-term peace of mind with the included two-year limited .
- Enjoy 5TB of enormous capacity for photos, playlists, docs, and more
- Use seamlessly with Mac, Windows, USB-C, and USB 3. 0
- Back up files with a single click or schedule automatic backups
- Turn footage into flawless productions with one free month of Adobe Creative Cloud All Apps Plan
- Enjoy long-term peace of mind with the included two-year limited .
User questions & answers
| Question: | I received the hard drive today. couldn't use for a system backup because it was not ntsf. should i reformat the disk to ntsf |
| Answer: | If you are only using this for a windows PC i would recommend reformatting to ntsf. If you want the drive readable by a PC and mac try ExFat fomat. I use mine on a mac and i fomatted it to mac OS journalled. I would not recommend fat32 format under any circumstances. For a nice review check out the link below, good luck... https://www.bhphotovideo.com/explora/computers/buying-guide/choosing-the-right-format-for-your-external-hard-drive |
| Question: | Can this be formatted for Mac and Windows at the same time |
| Answer: | You can format it in ExFAT then it will work for both Max and Windows platforms. The downside is some of the old OS won't work for ExFAT format. |
| Question: | Does anyone use this external HD for automatic daily/weekly backups, or does it work only with manual transfers |
| Answer: | I use this on a Mac with Time Machine backup and it works great. Very fast data transfer with USB, runs very quietly. The silver color also matches the apple imac. |
| Question: | What is this hardrive's speed for Thunderbolt |
| Answer: | I can't find the transfer speed listed anywhere, even in LaCie spec sheet - https://www.lacie.com/www-content/datasheets/pdfs/lacie-mobile-drive-DS1997-2-1812US-en_US.pdf Based on previous experience with LaCie portable HDD units, I would guess 130-140MB/s range. This is a 2.5" HDD and whether connecting to a USB-C, USB 3.0, or Thunderbolt 3 port, speeds will be the SAME. This is not an actual Thunderbolt 3 port on the drive, it is USB-C which is "compatible" with Thunderbolt 3. And also, for a basic drive like this, the hard drive itself is the limiting speed factor. Connecting to Thunderbolt will not increase performance, basic physics. The drive can only deliver so much data per second, period. If speed is a big concern, then you need to look at an SSD portabl drive with USB-C or Thunderbolt 3, then you will see massive speed improvements. SSD will cost a lot more of course. |
Product features
Sleek Design. Lavish Space.
LaCie Mobile Drive articulates the beauty and importance of premium space. With up to 5TB of capacity, there’s room for photos, playlists, docs, and more. And with Mac, Windows, USB-C, and USB 3.0 compatibility, access is easy. One-click or automatic backup makes file storage smooth.
What's Included
LaCie Mobile Drive | USB-C cable | USB 3.0 cable | Quick start guide | LaCie Toolkit: backup and mirroring software
LaCie Rugged Mini 5TB External Hard Drive Portable HDD – USB 3.0 USB 2.0 Compatible, Drop Shock Dust Rain Resistant Shuttle Drive, for Mac and PC Computer Desktop Workstation PC Laptop (STJJ5000400)
LaCie
Product description
Travel with capacity of 5TB in an ultra compact portable hard drive—LaCie Rugged Mini. Seamlessly connect to USB 3. 0 computers, transfer content fast with speeds of up to 130MB/s, and trek confidently with all terrain durability of drop, crush, and rain resistance. This drive even includes a complimentary one month membership to the Adobe Creative Cloud All Apps Plan for access to awesome photo and video editing apps, as well as a two year limited for long term peace of mind.
- Travel with a massive capacity of up to 5TB in an ultra compact portable external hard Drive
- For those who have a need for Speed, seamlessly connect to usb 3. 0 computers and transfer content Fast with speeds of up to 130MB/s
- Trek confidently with an external Hard Drive that offers all terrain durability of drop, crush, and water resistance
- Take advantage of a complimentary one month membership to the Adobe creative cloud all apps plan for access to awesome photo and video editing apps
- Enjoy long term peace of mind with the included two year limited
Product features
The Smallest Rugged Around
With capacities of up to 5TB, the LaCie Rugged Mini is a small but mighty USB 3.0 portable hard drive. Perfect for busy creatives, it offers premium protection for photos, footage, and more while delivering Mac and Windows compatibility, fast speeds, and customizable backup.
What's Included
LaCie Rugged Mini hard drive, USB 3.0 cable (2.0 compatible), Quick Install Guide
LaCie (LAC9000633) Rugged Mini 4TB External Hard Drive Portable HDD – USB 3.0 USB 2.0 Compatible, Drop Shock Dust Rain Resistant Shuttle Drive, For Mac And PC Computer Desktop and Laptop, Orange
LaCie
Product description
Travel with capacity of 4TB in an ultra compact portable hard drive—LaCie Rugged Mini. Seamlessly connect to USB 3.0 computers, transfer content fast with speeds of up to 130MB/s, and trek confidently with all terrain durability of drop, crush, and rain resistance. This drive even includes a complimentary one month membership to the Adobe Creative Cloud All Apps Plan for access to awesome photo and video editing apps, as well as a two year limited warranty for long term peace of mind.
- Travel with a massive capacity of up to 4TB in an ultra compact portable external hard drive LaCie Rugged Mini
- For those who have a need for speed, seamlessly connect to USB 3.0 computers and transfer content fast with speeds of up to 130MB/s
- Trek confidently with an external hard drive that offers all terrain durability of drop, crush, and water resistance
- Take advantage of a complimentary 1 month membership to the Adobe Creative Cloud All Apps Plan for access to awesome photo and video editing apps
- Enjoy long term peace of mind with the included 2 year limited warranty
Product features
The Smallest Rugged Around
With capacities of up to 5TB, the LaCie Rugged Mini is a small but mighty USB 3.0 portable hard drive. Perfect for busy creatives, it offers premium protection for photos, footage, and more while delivering Mac and Windows compatibility, fast speeds, and customizable backup.
What's Included
LaCie Rugged Mini hard drive, USB 3.0 cable (2.0 compatible), Quick Install Guide
External Hard Drives, 2TB HDD 1TB 500GB External Hard Drive Disk USB3.0 HDD 320G 160G 80G Storage for PC, Mac,TV Include HDD (Color : Black, Size : 160GB)
FPP
Product description
Name: Expansion
Model:2518
Capacity: 80GB,160GB,320GB,500GB,750GB,1TB(Optional)
Shell Material:Aluminum alloy
Color:Black,Blue,Red(Optional)
Connection: USB 3.0
Hard drive size: 2.5 inches
Max transfer rate: 20M/S-135MB/s
Item size: 11.5 * 7.9 * 1.3cm (L * W * H)
Operating system: Windows 10 / 8 / 7 / Vista / XP, Mac OS X, Linux OS.
Package List:
1 * Portable hard drive
1 * USB cable
1 * User manual
Attention:
Lower capacity may be demonstrated by your computer due to use of a different measurement standard.(1TB=1000GB, 1GB=1000MB, 1MB=1000KB）
80GB≈74GB, 160GB≈149GB, 320GB≈298GB,
500GB≈465GB, 750GB≈698GB, 1TB≈930GB，2TB≈1860GB.
- Latest Version: 2.5-inch external hard drive, super fast transfer speed with upgrade USB 3.0(up to 5 Gbit / s), which is ten times as fast as - but still compatible with - USB 2.0, ready to backup massive data in seconds
- System Compatibility:Windows 10 / 8 / 7 / Vista / XP, Mac OS X, Linux OS.
- Plug-and-Play: Ready to go without external power supply and software installation needed
- Slim Style Pocket Sized Design: Mini portable hard drive protected by sturdy and durable case, comfortably fits your palm
- What You Get: 1 x portable hard drive, 1 x USB 3.0 cable, 1 x user manual
G-Technology 4TB G-DRIVE USB 3.0 Desktop External Hard Drive, Silver - Compact, High-Performance Storage - 0G03594-1
G-Technology
Product description
G-DRIVE USB delivers high performance storage in a compact, yet stylish package. Encased in an all-aluminum enclosure, an enterprise-class Ultrastar drive inside, and featuring a fast USB 3.0 interface, G-DRIVE USB is perfect for storage-intensive multimedia files to meet the needs of the creative professionas. G-DRIVE USB is Mac OS-compatible, Time Machine-ready and available in up to 18TB capacity.
- High speed USB 3.0 for universal, high-speed data transfer
- Solid, stylish all-aluminum case for durability
- With capacities up to 18TB for multimedia intensive files (Total accessible capacity varies depending on operating environment.)
- Time Machine-ready for easy file back-up
- Plug-and-play on Mac; easily reformatted on Windows
- 3-year limited manufacturer's warranty
User questions & answers
| Question: | Mine makes popping noise while the drive is writing. Is this normal, or should I return it |
| Answer: | Inside this housing is a 2.5" laptop-style HDD, with a transfer rate of 135MB/s. Also, the interface is actually USB-C, which is "Thunderbolt 3-compatible" but is not Thunderbolt 3. What this means is that USB-C drives can be connected to Thunderbolt 3 ports and they work (as part of the TB3 spec). All of that said, the drive itself is the limiting factor in the transfer rate. Many manufactures like to put out the "5GB Transfer" funny business in their specs, but they are really only referring to what the port or cable is "capable" of, however the actual hard drive determines how fast it can read and write regardless of connection used. In fact, you will get the same performance out of this particular drive whether connecting to a USB 3.0, USB-C, or Thunderbolt 3 port as all are more than capable of handling the 135MB/s that the drive can put out. |
| Question: | I have two and they run extremely hot. Anyone have any advice for fans or stands that can separate the two to help keep them cooler |
| Answer: | Never owned a game console but I don’t see why not if it has a USB port-however I found this on the net -Very Important Note It’s very important to note that PS4 only accepts 250gb of usable storage space, not the actual storage capacity. That means if your drive comes with an exact 250gb storage capacity, PS4 system will REJECT it. Why? Data storage manufacturers market drives in terms of decimal (base 10) capacity. In decimal notation, one megabyte (MB) is equal to 1,000,000 bytes, one gigabyte (GB) is equal to 1,000,000,000 bytes, and one terabyte (TB) is equal to 1,000,000,000,000 bytes. PS4 system use the binary (base 2) numbering system. In the binary numbering system, one megabyte is equal to 1,048,576 bytes, one gigabyte is equal to 1,073,741,824 bytes, and one terabyte is equal to 1,099,511,627,776 bytes. Accordingly, the 256gb of USB flash drive is actually 256,000mb, which is calculated by PS4 system as an exact 250gb. But this isn’t the end of story. The drive needs to reserve a few gigabytes for the file system (around 2.5gb). Therefore, the usable storage space on the 256gb flash drive is almost 247.5gb, which is NOT acceptable by PS4 system. That’s why if you’re going to buy a flash drive for the extended storage purpose on PS4, the minimum storage capacity has to be 512gb not less. |
| Question: | does it work with time machine |
| Answer: | You can format either as NTFS or FAT32. It’s not preformatted |
| Question: | does this drive have a fan? and are its cooling capabilities less than the g-technology drives that are elevated by a frame / heat sink on underbody |
| Answer: | When people report heat issues it is because the product has a metal case that more rapidly conducts the heat to their fingers. This and similar hollow plastic encased drives could operate hotter as a result but still feel cooler to the touch. I am suggesting that your question cannot be answered without destructive testing. |
Toshiba Canvio Flex 2TB Portable External Hard Drive USB-C USB 3.0, Silver for PC, Mac, & Tablet - HDTX120XSCAA
Toshiba
Product description
Combining compatibility and portability, the Canvio Flex portable external hard drive is designed to work interchangeably with most major USB devices and operating systems. The Canvio Flex is compatible with both Mac and Windows PC, as well as supported tablet devices with USB-C port . Enjoy the convenience and flexibility for your storage needs with the Canvio Flex - your smart storage companion.
[Note]:
One Terabyte (1TB) means 10{12] = 1,000,000,000,000 bytes using powers of 10. Actual formatted storage capacity may vary. For details, please visit Toshiba's Consumer HDD website.
Compatibility may vary depending on user‘s hardware configuration and operating system. Reformatting may be required for use with Apple Time Machine. Please check compatibility list at Toshiba's Consumer HDD website.
Standard limited warranty terms apply. The warranty brochure is preloaded on the hard drive or can be viewed at Toshiba's Consumer HDD website.
Product specifications, colors, features, and availability are subject to change without notice. Product images may not reflect the actual product.
- Designed for PC, Mac, and Tablet (check compatibility at Toshiba's Consumer HDD website).
- Formatted exFAT for cross-device compatibility .
- USB-C ready, USB 3.0 compatible.
- Versatile design. Includes USB-C and USB-A cables.
- 3-year manufacturer's limited warranty .
Product features
Cross-Device Compatibility(2)
Connection where it counts. The Canvio Flex Portable External Hard Drive is formatted for Windows PC, Mac, as well as compatible iPad and Android tablet devices with USB-C port enabling seamless file access right out of the box.
Versatile Storage
Stay ahead of the curve with the Canvio Flex Portable External Hard Drive, connecting directly to any compatible USB-equipped device. With both USB-A and USB-C cables included, you have the flexibility to easily connect to either old or new devices without the need for a USB adapter.
Simple Elegance
Flexible storage meets flexible style with a sleek, satin silver finish and lightweight design that complements your Mac, Windows PC, and compatible tablet devices.
Canvio Flex Portable External Hard Drive
You aren't limited to just one device, and your storage solution shouldn't be, either. Combining compatibility and portability, the Canvio Flex Portable External Hard Drive is the cross-device storage solution built for your adaptable lifestyle. Designed to work interchangeably with most major USB device platforms and operating systems, the Canvio Flex makes transferring your files easier than ever, with up to 4TB of storage capacity to safely store your data.
Cross-Device Compatibility(2)
Formatted and works interchangeably with Windows PC, Mac, as well as compatible iPad and Android tablet devices with USB-C port out of the box (check device compatibility at Toshiba’s Consumer HDD website).
Storage On-The-Go
Up to 4TB of storage capacity in a portable & lightweight design meant for storage on-the-go. The elegant satin silver finish stylishly complements your Mac, PC, and compatible tablet devices.
USB-C and USB-A Cables Included
Versatile compatibility for new and older devices - directly connect to any compatible USB-A and USB-C device.
USB 3.0 & 2.0 Compatible
USB technology allows high speed data transfer with no external AC power cord needed.
Latest Reviews
View all
Passion Fruits
- Updated: 28.05.2023
- Read reviews
Auto Batteries
- Updated: 22.06.2023
- Read reviews
The Peanut Shell The Peanut Shell Baby Carriers
- Updated: 07.04.2023
- Read reviews
Amber Fight Gear Boxing Head Gears
- Updated: 19.02.2023
- Read reviews
Maisto Muscle Cars
- Updated: 27.02.2023
- Read reviews