Voted Best Of 2023 - Top 8 Best External Hard Drive For Mac And Pc
We've researched 6,617 of different options to find the Best external hard drive for mac and pc for your needs. Some of our favorites include: Toshiba, Maxone, Seagate, Sp silicon power, Wd_black, Avolusion. Our team of experts spent hours researching the most important criteria to pick the top choices for you.
By, Steven Pressfield
- 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
- Enjoy long-term peace of mind with the included two-year limited warranty and two-yr Rescue Data Recovery Services
- PS4 / XBOX COMPATIBLE: Ideal for gaming enthusiasts Xbox One, Xbox 360, PS4, PS4 Pro and PS4 Slim (PS4 System Software version 4.50 or higher)
- For Windows User: The A60 is pre-formatted as NTFS, so you could use it directly on Windows .
- [For Mac Users] Reformatting will be required for Mac operating systems]
- Speed up to 250 MB/s rated at 7200RPM with active cooling technology to help you stay in the game.
- Purpose-built for gamers based on WD_Black quality and reliability.
- Extra storage to capture and collect your best in-screen game captures.
- PLUG & PLAY: The perfect external hard drive for Windows or Mac, simply back up files with a single click or schedule automatic daily, weekly, or monthly backups (Reformatting may be required for use with Time Machine)
- STYLISH & SPACIOUS: Stylish tone-on-tone fabric design works seamlessly with USB-C and USB 3.0 laptops and PCs
- MYLIO & ADOBE: Edit, manage, and share photos with a 1-yr. complimentary subscription to Mylio Create and a 4-mo. membership to Adobe Creative Cloud Photography plan (must redeem within 1-yr. of drive registration; not available in China)
- Expand computer hard drive storage instantly! Add extra storage to your device without opening up the case
- Perfect for hard drive expansion and backup storage for your entire Windows OS system! (Do it before it crash, you never know when it will happen! "Daily schedule backup is no longer optional" )
- 2 Years Warranty from Reseller
Product Images, Product Titles, Product Highlights from Amazon Product Advertising API
Elements to consider when choosing the Best external hard drive for mac and pc
You should also take into account the products of many well-known brands. Try to find out what the pros and cons of those products are, then try to find the Best external hard drive for mac and pc for your needs. A good place to start would be our website. Once you've found the list of possible products, you'll need to narrow them down to a smaller group and continue reading our article that explored the key factors of the product.
More Tips For Buying An External Hard Drive
External hard drives can be simple and have few quirks.
Consider the warranty and promised longevity of a drive. The warranty period will vary from one to ten years depending on which manufacturer. If you are concerned about data loss, a longer warranty period will indicate greater reliability.
Remember to pay attention to the price. External hard drives are so similar between brands and features that it is almost always worth shopping at the lowest price.
Consider the warranty and promised longevity of a drive. The warranty period will vary from one to ten years depending on which manufacturer. If you are concerned about data loss, a longer warranty period will indicate greater reliability.
Remember to pay attention to the price. External hard drives are so similar between brands and features that it is almost always worth shopping at the lowest price.
Do You Need Portable Storage?
Although portable drives can be handy for bringing your files anywhere you go, they are more expensive and less capable than non-portable alternatives. Avoid portable drives if you intend to store your external hard drive. If portable storage is important, you may need to adjust your expectations about cost (or compromise by buying a smaller drive).
Capacity
An external hard drive's storage capacity is the most important thing. Prioritize this feature and choose the largest drive that you can afford. Keep in mind that the actual storage you have will be smaller than what is listed on the box. This is based on existing files. To find out the actual storage capacity of different drives, subtract 20% from the advertised capacity.
Data Transfer Speed
Another important factor is the speed at which files can be transferred back and forth. The speed at which files are transferred depends on many factors, including your computer's speed, but connectivity options are the most important. You want the fastest external hard drives available. If you have an extra USB-C port, you can choose one that connects via USB-C. External hard drives that can support USB 3.0 are faster than USB 2.0 and more compatible with older USB standards.
Portability
It can be crucial to have your data on the go. This is why you should limit your search to portable storage options. Although they are more expensive than the desktop and plug-in versions, portable external hard drives can be carried around in your pocket and transfer data as quickly as the latter. You should consider your needs and get a portable external drive if you are looking to carry your data around with you.
What Power Requirements Do External Hard Drives Have?
Modern external hard drives do not require external power. Instead, they are powered solely by USB. This draws power from your computer. This means that you don't have to use a power brick.
However, this is not always the case. External power is most important for large external hard drives. This holds true for older external drives that were made before Thunderbolt and USB 3 were popular.
A hard drive external that is powered by its own electricity is not meant to be moved around much, even though it technically is. If you don't need it to be moved often, or at all, only buy an external hard drive with a power block.
However, this is not always the case. External power is most important for large external hard drives. This holds true for older external drives that were made before Thunderbolt and USB 3 were popular.
A hard drive external that is powered by its own electricity is not meant to be moved around much, even though it technically is. If you don't need it to be moved often, or at all, only buy an external hard drive with a power block.
Will You Be Using Your External Hard Drive For Gaming?
It can be difficult to use an external hard drive in conjunction with a gaming console or PC. This is because video games require quick access to large amounts of data, and it can be difficult to find one that can do the job. You should search for external hard drives that are compatible with your system if you're looking for one for video games. Hard drives that are compatible with Xbox One's hardware are often branded and include explicit language like "works with Xbox One" in the description or product title.
How Much Storage Do You Think You’ll Need?
External hard drives are often a big issue. We believe bigger is better. Make sure you take a look at how much storage you have and need before you shop. This will ensure that you get the right size drive. If in doubt, buy the largest drive you can afford.
Conclusion
Our team consists of tech-obsessed people who are passionate about technology in general and modern products in particular. As a result, we share a common interest in ensuring that our readers get the best possible experience on our site.
Hopefully, our product list and the content of the article have also provided information for customers to choose the Best external hard drive for mac and pc that suits their needs, don't forget to refer to famous brands such as:Toshiba, Maxone, Seagate, Sp silicon power, Wd_black, Avolusion.
FAQs
1. Why Do Some External Hard Drives Use Two USB Ports To Connect To A Computer While Others Just Use One?
External hard drives can be plugged into the wall using an AC adapter. Others can charge via USB. Two USB ports are required for an external hard drive. This means that one is used to transfer data and the other to power.
2. Are External Hard Drives Noisy?
While some of them may be, it is rare. External hard drives generally operate silently. However, some models, especially those with multiple drives inside, are wired into the wall and have fans to prevent them from overheating. These fans aren't very loud but can be annoying, so some people prefer fanless models.
3. Will Most External Hard Drives Work With My Mac?
Yes. Yes. External hard drives are usually available in OS-agnostic formats so that you can plug them in to any computer and get started using them immediately. You may occasionally find an external drive in Windows-only format. In these cases, however, your Mac's Disk Utility software can be used to convert the drive to a compatible format. You should be careful when formatting your drive as it will delete all data.
By, Steven Pressfield