Best Portable External Hard Drive For Mac 2016

1. Best External Hard Drive Backups
2. Best External Hard Drive For Mac
3. Best Portable External Hard Drive For Mac 2016 Torrent

Pros: Supports RAID Level 0, 1, 5, 6, and 10.Allows for hot-swapping of drives in certain configurations. 4K video editing speed. Cons: No USB-C/Thunderbolt 3 or USB 3.0 ports. Bottom Line: The LaCie 5big Thunderbolt 2 is a powerful external hard drive system capable of holding up to 40TB of data individually, and more than a petabyte when connected together.

• WD 5TB Silver My Passport Ultra Portable Storage External Hard Drive USB-C for Mac (WDBPMV0050BSL-WESN) Type: External Dimensions: 0.83' x 3.21' x 4.33' Weight: 0.51 lb. Package Contents: My Passport Ultra for Mac portable storage USB-C cable with USB 3.1 adapter WD Discovery software and WD Drive Utilities Quick install guide.
• Discover the world of external hard drives for Mac. Compare portable, USB and external hard drive models for office and home and shop online. 2016 - 2019) MacBook.

Mac External Hard Drive Reviews

These days everyone is purchasing external hard drives for their computers, because you never know what's going to happen. Should you lose your computer, or if something happens to its hard drive, then you have completely lost the data on your computer. That means that owning and using an external drive is a smart way to store your information in a separate location, so that you're prepared in case the unexpected should happen.

Also, people have more data than ever, when you consider all the photos, videos, music, and so much more that folks keep on their computers. Even MacBooks aren't designed to store all this information, and that's why an external hard drive will help you to clear some space on your computer. Lets take a look at the top rated Mac external hard drives so that you can be well on your way to finding the right drive for you and your unique requirements.

1. Western Digital

Best Overall Mac External Hard Drive

You get a whopping USB 3.0 connectivity, and the drive is formatted for MAC OS X, so reformatting will be required for Windows. With a 3 year limited warranty, you can be sure that this drive is going to stand the test of time, and should anything go wrong, it's easy to simply return it for a refund.

The chances are there's not going to be any reason to return this drive because it's solidly constructed and made from only the best materials. Perfect for all your backup and storage needs, you're going to see that this drive outperforms the rest, and that's why it's one of the top rated models on the market.

– Darius Spieth

2. Toshiba

Best Overall Mac External Hard Drive – Runner Up

The drive accommodates large digital files with a spacious storage capacity that customers swear by. Also, the body of this drive is compact, and smudge-resistant so that you don't have to deal with unsightly fingerprints. All in all, this is a top rated external drive for Mac because it offers ample storage space in the perfect sized device.

It's easy to carry on the go, and you can be confident when you're using it that you're getting a safe and effective means of saving your important data, so that you can retrieve it whenever you need it most.

– Darius Spieth

3. Seagate

Best Budget Mac External Hard Drive

You can only redeem one offer with your OneDrive account, but you're going to see that this is really all the storage that you're going to need. The program allows you to create customized backup plans that include the signature Seagate dashboard software. You can also backup your mobile device photos and videos anytime using the Lyve App which works automatically.

You experience the fastest file transfer with powerful USB 3.0 connectivity. Also, the USB powered backup drive needs no power supply to operate. All in all, what you're getting here is a tremendous backup drive that is going to give you all the storage that you so desperately need.

– Darius Spieth How to make a mac vm.

We highlighted the top rated external hard drives on the market, and these are popular because they have an ample amount of storage, are affordable, and constructed from the highest quality materials. These top rated models also have the latest technology that makes them easy to use and reach lightening-fast speeds.

If you're not yet convinced that one of these drives is right for you, then you can take a look at this buyer's guide to find some other options that are out there for you. Each drive is so different, so it's important to know what options are available to you so that you can make an informed decision.

Mac External Hard Drive Comparison

Mac External Hard Drive Buying Guide

When it comes to finding the right external hard drive for your Mac, you have a lot of options out there. When looking for the right solution, you need to consider how much data you have to store, and whether you have multiple computers that are connected to your home network. You also need to take into account backup speed, the sensitivity of our data, how good you are with computers, and the physical size of the drive. This is going to effect the portability.

How Much Storage Do You Need?

It's possible to spend up to $200 on a 2 terabyte drive, or even $300 for a 4TB model, but having all that space may not be necessary for you. You basically want to get the largest drive that you can afford, because this will allow you to store all your data for years to come. Keep in mind that your storage is going to accumulate, but it's about knowing how much data you really have on a consistent basis.

You for sure want to get a drive that has at least the same amount of storage as your computer's hard drive. The physical size of the drive is another consideration, especially if you want it to be portable. Should you need to take your backup with you, then you want to make sure that it's small enough to carry.

How Fast Should it Be?

The speed of the external hard drive is another consideration that you need to take into account. Some people think that online storage options are a good idea but the problem is that they're really too slow. Sometimes after your first backup it can take almost days to complete the next one, and that's why an external hard drive offers you a faster solution. This makes it quick and easy to store music, videos, and images in a flash. Keep in mind that installation of the drive is going to require a little bit of technical know-how. Once you learn the ropes, you're going to see that an external hard drive is a great alternative to all other forms of storage.

How Many Computers Do You Have?

This is something you definitely need to consider when buying an external hard drive. If you have many computers running on the same network then consider purchasing a network drive that can cover all these devices at once, and helps you to share data that you save. It's going to take a little more time to figure out the installation, but in the long run it's the easiest solution. Also, if your computer is placed near a router then connecting it with an Ethernet cable is a smart choice that is going to give you faster speeds. When you have a wired connection it makes it up to 50 times faster than your usual wireless connection.

Are You Good With Computers?

This is going to help determine which drive you purchase. It's fairly easy to set up a backup, but when you're not tech savvy it's important to choose the simplest option. When it comes to going with the handiest choice, and these are thumb drives and optical discs, it's going to require you to use multiple discs and devices to get the backup done. A good alternative if you know you're not adept at technology is an external hard drive that runs without software or a drive that does backup at the push of a button.

Supplementing your Software

You can find inexpensive drives that do not require software but they're a bit short when it comes to features and flexibility. You can even get software that is bundled with other drives, and these have their limitations as well. Often these are not able to back up onto CDs and DVDs. Third-party backup software is going to be quite inexpensive, and sometimes this option is well worth it. Some operating systems come with their own backup software such as Max OS X 10.5, and these will automatically back up everything that you have and they let you restore anything from a single file onto the entire drive.

It's possible to restore the most recent version of a file that you have modified, and Time Machine in particular makes it easy to do this. The interface of this is quite simple to use, but it does take a little effort to learn the basics of the backup process. Windows 8 also comes with a backup program that has a feature called ‘File History' that will backup copies of files similar to the way that Mac OS X does it.

Add More Protection

Should your backup and computer live in the same area then your data can be prone to fire, burglary, flood and other problems. If you want your content to be as safe as possible then consider a supplementary backup that is in a different location. This means that your content will always be safe should something happen to your computer.

Types of Backup

There are a number of different backup options, including internal, external, online services, network drives, and thumb devices. You get the fastest backup with an internal drive, but installation of this can be quite complicated. This kind of backup is also susceptible to malware that may infect the primary drive. Optical discs are quite easy to use, but you're going to need a lot of them, and the discs themselves are prone to wear and tear.

Thumb drives are another good option and they offer higher capacities than optical drives. Keep in mind that it is easy to lose these and they don't have the same capacity as hard drives. With all the types of backup that you should consider, an external hard drive seems to be the most appealing.

Conclusion

Best External Hard Drive Backups

If you're someone that owns a lot of data then having an external hard drive is a must to ensure that all that data is safe and secure. Most computers just don't have the storage capacity that people need, and that is why an outside source helps to take the load off your computer while also keeping this data safe in a remote location. There are a lot of external drives out there to choose from, and when you're looking for a model that is specifically designed for the Mac then you're going to see that the options almost seem endless. We highlighted the top rated external drives on the market, and these are praised by customers because they deliver solid performance, durability, and are made from the highest quality materials. You can be confident when you purchase one of these models that you're getting a product that will safely store all your material and will be able to handle ample volume.

The buyer's guide took it a step further by highlighting the various features that are available to you. When it comes to finding the right drive for you, it's really about knowing yourself and what you're looking for. If you're someone who is not very tech savvy, then it's smart to go with a simpler option that isn't going to require as much installation and upkeep. If you're very good with technology, then you can select one of the more complicated options that is probably going to work faster and more efficiently. No matter what device you choose, you're going to love the benefit that you get from owning an external hard drive, and the peace of mind that it gives you.

Resources

Sometimes, deciding on the best external hard drive for PC or Mac can be a hard decision. In this day and age, external hard drives are extremely important in securing important photos, videos, and other files. Without a good external hard drive, all of your favorite files are at risk. As of recently, hard drives have become more and more mainstream which results in the decrease in prices of many bigger hard drives. Important aspects include the speed of file transfer, the hardware look, warranty, and customer support. With all of those in mind, we have created a review list of the best external hard drives that are Mac and PC compatible.

Pros:

• Huge size and color selection, 1-8 TB
• PS4 and Xbox One compatible
• Compact, sleek design, lightweight
• Come included with free online drive space

Cons:

• Some report defective HDDs, Seagate does provide a warranty though
• PC orientated, Macs will have some problems loading files on

You can find inexpensive drives that do not require software but they're a bit short when it comes to features and flexibility. You can even get software that is bundled with other drives, and these have their limitations as well. Often these are not able to back up onto CDs and DVDs. Third-party backup software is going to be quite inexpensive, and sometimes this option is well worth it. Some operating systems come with their own backup software such as Max OS X 10.5, and these will automatically back up everything that you have and they let you restore anything from a single file onto the entire drive.

It's possible to restore the most recent version of a file that you have modified, and Time Machine in particular makes it easy to do this. The interface of this is quite simple to use, but it does take a little effort to learn the basics of the backup process. Windows 8 also comes with a backup program that has a feature called ‘File History' that will backup copies of files similar to the way that Mac OS X does it.

Add More Protection

Should your backup and computer live in the same area then your data can be prone to fire, burglary, flood and other problems. If you want your content to be as safe as possible then consider a supplementary backup that is in a different location. This means that your content will always be safe should something happen to your computer.

Types of Backup

There are a number of different backup options, including internal, external, online services, network drives, and thumb devices. You get the fastest backup with an internal drive, but installation of this can be quite complicated. This kind of backup is also susceptible to malware that may infect the primary drive. Optical discs are quite easy to use, but you're going to need a lot of them, and the discs themselves are prone to wear and tear.

Thumb drives are another good option and they offer higher capacities than optical drives. Keep in mind that it is easy to lose these and they don't have the same capacity as hard drives. With all the types of backup that you should consider, an external hard drive seems to be the most appealing.

Conclusion

Best External Hard Drive Backups

If you're someone that owns a lot of data then having an external hard drive is a must to ensure that all that data is safe and secure. Most computers just don't have the storage capacity that people need, and that is why an outside source helps to take the load off your computer while also keeping this data safe in a remote location. There are a lot of external drives out there to choose from, and when you're looking for a model that is specifically designed for the Mac then you're going to see that the options almost seem endless. We highlighted the top rated external drives on the market, and these are praised by customers because they deliver solid performance, durability, and are made from the highest quality materials. You can be confident when you purchase one of these models that you're getting a product that will safely store all your material and will be able to handle ample volume.

The buyer's guide took it a step further by highlighting the various features that are available to you. When it comes to finding the right drive for you, it's really about knowing yourself and what you're looking for. If you're someone who is not very tech savvy, then it's smart to go with a simpler option that isn't going to require as much installation and upkeep. If you're very good with technology, then you can select one of the more complicated options that is probably going to work faster and more efficiently. No matter what device you choose, you're going to love the benefit that you get from owning an external hard drive, and the peace of mind that it gives you.

Resources

Sometimes, deciding on the best external hard drive for PC or Mac can be a hard decision. In this day and age, external hard drives are extremely important in securing important photos, videos, and other files. Without a good external hard drive, all of your favorite files are at risk. As of recently, hard drives have become more and more mainstream which results in the decrease in prices of many bigger hard drives. Important aspects include the speed of file transfer, the hardware look, warranty, and customer support. With all of those in mind, we have created a review list of the best external hard drives that are Mac and PC compatible.

Pros:

• Huge size and color selection, 1-8 TB
• PS4 and Xbox One compatible
• Compact, sleek design, lightweight
• Come included with free online drive space

Cons:

• Some report defective HDDs, Seagate does provide a warranty though
• PC orientated, Macs will have some problems loading files on

Pros:

• Works with any PC or Mac with USB 3.0
• Speed optimized for fast file transfers
• Compact, lightweight design
• Good overall harddrive

Cons:

• Bad cables, easily broken so in order to use this products for extended periods of time one must buy a replacement
• Edges are a bit sharp, it can scratch some surfaces

Pros:

Best External Hard Drive For Mac

• USB 2.0 and 3.0 compatible, works with PC and Mac
• Perfect for various consoles such as PS4 and Xbox One
• Fast connection for quick uploads and downloads
• Multiple sizes of harddrives

Cons:

• Newer models don't seem to be PS4 compatible, check the age of the model if being used for PS4
• Some report slow transfers, but preformatting the hard drives seems to speed up the process

Pros:

• Sleek, desktop design
• Bigger size capabilities
• Console compatible (Xbox One and PS4)
• Plug and play optimized

Cons:

• Plastic coated which keeps in heat and can degrade the drive over time
• Warranty is only a year, although seagate is a good company, 1 year is slightly shorter than normal

Pros:

• Extremely durable, drop tested and built for people on the go
• USB 3.0 compatible
• Fast speeds in file transfers
• Cheaper alternative to premium harddrive choices

Cons:

• Due to drop protection, the device is naturally bigger and bulkier
• Comes formatted to FAT32, if transferring large files NTFS is recommended

Pros:

Best Portable External Hard Drive For Mac 2016 Torrent

• Great external hard drive for consoles (PS4 and Xbox One)
• Solid build and design, nice desktop design
• Added protection against hard drive failure
• USB 3.0 compatible

Cons:

• Formatting is required for console use
• If left idle, the drive can disconnect automatically

Pros:

• One of the biggest harddrives available
• Built in software that tells you when or if the hard drive will fail
• Optimized for professional use
• Long warrenty for added support (2 1/2 years!)
• Great customer support

Cons:

• When setting up for the first time, the drive was a bit hard to configure
• Slightly expensive for what you get, but overall a fair price

Pros:

• Plug and play optimized
• For its size, it packs a lot of memory
• Faster than conventional hard drives
• Wide variety of sizes of the hard drive
• USB 3.0 compatible

Cons:

• Short USB 3.0 cable out of the box
• Warranty reduced from 3 to 2 years, still above average though