11 best apple external hard drive macs
Apple does not manufacture its own external hard drives, but it does offer recommendations and support for third-party drives that are compatible with Mac computers. These external hard drives can be used for various purposes, including data backup, storage expansion, and data transfer.
Here are some key points to consider when using an external hard drive with a Mac:
Compatibility: Apple's Mac computers typically support a wide range of external hard drives, including those with USB, Thunderbolt, and USB-C connections. It's important to check the type of ports available on your Mac and ensure that the external hard drive you choose is compatible.
Time Machine: Macs come with a built-in backup software called Time Machine. You can use an external hard drive to set up automatic backups of your system using Time Machine. This ensures that you have a copy of your important files in case of hardware failure or accidental deletion.
Formatting: Depending on the external hard drive's file system (NTFS for Windows, HFS+ for Mac, exFAT for both), you may need to format it to be compatible with your Mac. Keep in mind that formatting a drive erases all data on it, so be sure to back up any important information before doing so.
Storage Capacity: Choose an external hard drive with a capacity that suits your needs. Consider factors such as the amount of data you need to store and whether you'll be using it for backups, multimedia files, or other purposes.
Portability: If you plan to use the external hard drive on the go, consider factors like size, weight, and durability. Portable drives are generally smaller and lighter, making them easier to carry around.
Brand and Model: There are several reputable manufacturers of external hard drives, including Western Digital, Seagate, LaCie, and others. Researching reviews and specifications can help you choose a reliable drive.
Additional Features: Some external hard drives offer extra features such as hardware encryption, rugged casings for added durability, or multiple connection options (e.g., USB and Thunderbolt). These can be beneficial depending on your specific needs.
Remember to handle your external hard drive with care and to safely eject it from your computer before disconnecting it to prevent data loss or corruption.
Keep in mind that my knowledge is based on information available .If there have been significant developments or new products released after that date, we would not be aware of them.
Below you can find our editor's choice of the best apple external hard drive macs on the marketProduct 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
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.
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.
Product description
LaCie Rugged USB C is a powerful, trusted external hard drive for Mac and Windows computers. Quickly and easily connect to the latest laptops and PCs using Rugged’s reversible USB C cable—or the included USB 3.0 adapter for legacy USB 3.0 devices. Enjoy a high speed USB C 5Gb/s interface and confidently tackle any terrain with drop, crush, and rain resistance. Plus—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! It even includes two year limited warranty protection plan and Rescue Data Recovery services for long term peace of mind.
- Quickly and easily connect to the latest Windows and Mac computers with Rugged’s reversible USB-C cable, or legacy computers using the included USB 3.0 adapter
- Enjoy fast USB-C 5Gb/s file transfers, backups, and image browsing
- Confidently tackle any terrain with drop, crush, and rain 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 an included two-year limited warranty protection plan and Rescue Data Recovery services
User questions & answers
Question: | Will this work with older macbook air models. i have an early 2014 mojave |
Answer: | Mine did not I also couldn't get sound out of one side unless the cord was rotated in the exact right position I returned mine and went with turtle beach stelth 600 worth the price increase |
Question: | Can I use a usbc to usb |
Answer: | Our headsets are covered by a 2-year warranty. |
Question: | can i have a new macbook pro. can i get either the thunderbolt usb-c or the usb-c |
Answer: | No |
Question: | How does usbc differ from the thunderbolt usb-c option? i see thunderbolt usbc is more expensive |
Answer: | I have had no kink or curl in my cable. These are a great deal with good quality sound. I have used them for telehealth. I like that they have a usb adapter included |
Product features
Rugged Mini
Since 2005, LaCie Rugged portable hard drives have thrived where only the toughest survive — the film sets, photo shoots, and music studios of the influential creative pros. Why? Because LaCie Rugged products are the industry’s trusted way to capture and transport data in the field.
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
Product description
Get solid USB storage and 4TB capacity in an external desktop hard drive for Mac and Windows. Featuring dual front-facing, high-speed USB 3.0 ports, Backup Plus Hub makes it easy to charge mobile devices and transfer files from cameras, USB keys, and more. Even charge USB game controllers Enjoy simple, one-click backups, or schedule automatic daily, weekly, or monthly backup by downloading Seagate Toolkit software. Plus, take advantage of a complimentary two-month membership to the Adobe Creative Cloud Photography Plan for access to awesome photo and video editing apps.
- Store and access content for years with up to 14TB in a USB drive
- A great external hard drive for Mac and Windows, this hub can charge mobile devices and transfer files from USB cameras and USB thumb drives via its two USB 3.0 ports
- Use seamlessly between windows and Mac by installing the provided NTFS driver for Mac
- Complimentary four-month membership to the Adobe Creative Cloud Photography Plan’s photo and video editing apps (Must be redeemed within 1 year of drive registration. Not available in all countries)
- Enjoy long-term peace of mind with the included two-year limited warranty External desktop hard drive offers two front-facing, high-speed USB 3.0 ports for connecting to and recharging other USB devices like phones, cameras, and tablets
Product features
Backup and Recharge in One Place
Thousands of photos, hundreds of songs, loads of movies and docs—sound familiar? Backup Plus Hub helps protect all of it with proven reliability, seamless backup, Mac and Windows usability, plus two front-facing USB 3.0 ports for charging and managing devices like phones, tablets, and cameras.
Desk, Office, and Dorm Life—Made Easier
Backup Plus Hub helps protect important files and can’t-live-without memories with a single click. To schedule automatic backups, simply use the included Seagate software.
What's Included
Backup Plus Hub, 18-inch (45.72cm) USB 3.0 cable, 18W power adapter, Quick start guide, Seagate backup software, Mac driver
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.
Product description
Military-grade Shockproof, IPX7 Waterproof and Pressure-resistant Protections
Armor A80 incorporates heavy-duty aluminum casing, interior rubber sealing and internal suspension system which altogether assure rigid protections against any unexpected situations such as rain, liquid-spillage or accidental drops.
Cable-carry design
The innovative slot design is especially equipped for simple cable carrying and storing by which you can easily stick the cable to the drive.
Sturdy and Stylish Metallic Casing
Armor A80 is equipped with the aluminum exterior which can not only provide strong protection against outer pressure but also show the trendy look that complements your fashion style on-the-go.
Ultra-fast Transfer Speed
SuperSpeed USB 3.0 interface enables blazing-fast speed performance to quickly transfer large files including HD videos, high-resolution photos and great numbers of documents in seconds.
3-year Warranty
The Armor A80 is backed by a 3-year warranty that guarantees complete services and technical support.
Box Contains
1 x Silicon Power Armor A80 External Hard Drive
2 x USB 3.0 Cable (107 mm & 550 mm)
- Work with Ideal for gaming enthusiasts Xbox One, Xbox 360, PS4, PS4 Pro and PS4 Slim (PS4 System Software version 4.50 or higher).
- Military-grade shockproof and IPX7 waterproof protection. Sturdy aluminum casing enables high pressure-resistant function to withstand up to 300 kg of force.
- Cable storage design for simple cable carrying.
- USB 3.1 Gen 1 interface, backward compatible with USB 3.0/USB 2.0
- 3 year manufacturer warranty. (Please register your product via SP official website to get the complete manufacturer warranty services, product support and more.)
User questions & answers
Question: | Is this bus powered |
Answer: | Yes no problem. Right now that's what I'm using it for. |
Question: | What kind of drive (Seagate, Western Digital, Hitachi, etc.) does Silicon Power use inside the A80 case |
Answer: | You certainly can! |
Question: | Can the USB cable be disconnected from the unit, or is it permanently fixed |
Answer: | I don't think it has that kind of timer. It has a sleep timer that you can set to shut off after 30 minutes to 12 hours but there isn't any timer that will turn it back on automatically. |
Question: | What is the rpm of this disk? Did anyone open it to see which HDD (Seagate etc.) it is in real? Thanks |
Answer: | Hello ketut, This model does in fact come with a remote control Please see the user manual below for a full list of the shipping contents as shown on page 7 https://www.projectorcentral.com/pdf/projector_manual_10230.pdf Please feel free to reach out to our customer care team if you have any further questions or concerns. Phone: 1-866-600-2367 M-F 830am-530pm CST Email: http://support.benq.us/ Warm Regards, BenQ Customer Care. www.BenQ.us |
Product description
Store and access 2TB of photos and files on the go, with Seagate Backup Plus Slim. The perfect compliment to personal aesthetic, this compact, portable external hard drive features a minimalist brushed metal enclosure and quick plug-and-play connectivity with the included USB 3.0 cable. Giving files extra protection is practically effortless—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 2TB of photos and files on the go, with Seagate Backup Plus Slim, an external hard drive for Mac and Windows
- This portable external hard drive features a minimalist brushed metal enclosure, and is a stylish USB drive
- Simply plug this external hard drive for Mac and Windows into a computer via the included USB 3.0 cable to back up files 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
User questions & answers
Question: | Will this work as local storage for an Arlo Pro 3 video system |
Answer: | I've had 2 of these and both came with 1 USB cord that has 3 connectors. 1 goes to the hard drive box and the other 2 plug into the computer |
Question: | Can you delete backup software and use as aux drive |
Answer: | RAID 1 is MIRROR mode, writes same data to both drives for backup so it is normal to get half capacity. Simply follow LaCie directions to switch back to RAID 0 mode, but this will ERASE ALL DATA so if you have anything on the drive, back it up to another drive before switching RAID modes and reformatting. |
Question: | Is it compatible with a Samsung S5e tablet |
Answer: | Not sure. However, here is the link ti LaCie America. They should be able to aid you. https://www.lacie.com/products/rugged/ |
Question: | Can it be partitioned for 2 separate backups |
Answer: | The computer you attatch it to |
Product description
Military-grade Shockproof, IPX7 Waterproof and Pressure-resistant Protections
Armor A80 incorporates heavy-duty aluminum casing, interior rubber sealing and internal suspension system which altogether assure rigid protections against any unexpected situations such as rain, liquid-spillage or accidental drops.
Cable-carry design
The innovative slot design is especially equipped for simple cable carrying and storing by which you can easily stick the cable to the drive.
Sturdy and Stylish Metallic Casing
Armor A80 is equipped with the aluminum exterior which can not only provide strong protection against outer pressure but also show the trendy look that complements your fashion style on-the-go.
Ultra-fast Transfer Speed
SuperSpeed USB 3.0 interface enables blazing-fast speed performance to quickly transfer large files including HD videos, high-resolution photos and great numbers of documents in seconds.
3-year Warranty
The Armor A80 is backed by a 3-year warranty that guarantees complete services and technical support.
Box Contains
1 x Silicon Power Armor A80 External Hard Drive
2 x USB 3.0 Cable (107 mm & 550 mm)
- Work with Ideal for gaming enthusiasts Xbox One, Xbox 360, PS4, PS4 Pro and PS4 Slim (PS4 System Software version 4.50 or higher).
- Military-grade shockproof and IPX7 waterproof protection. Sturdy aluminum casing enables high pressure-resistant function to withstand up to 300 kg of force.
- Cable storage design for simple cable carrying.
- USB 3.1 Gen 1 interface, backward compatible with USB 3.0/USB 2.0
- 3 year manufacturer warranty. (Please register your product via SP official website to get the complete manufacturer warranty services, product support and more.)
User questions & answers
Question: | What is the difference exactly between the A80 & the A |
Answer: | We have ours mounted on the ceiling of our family room, and we sit right under it while watching movies. I have exceptional hearing, so I can hear it if I am listening for it, but it's not loud enough to be obtrusive. My mother is a bit hard of hearing, so she doesn't notice the fan at all. |
Question: | Is it compatible with windows |
Answer: | yes it does you can just hook up an aux cord to the audio outlet |
Question: | is the silicon power 1tb rugged a80 compatable with windows |
Answer: | Dear Frank, Thanks for your question on MW632ST. MW632ST is a native WXGA (16x10) projector and supports the 4x3 or 16x9 aspect ratio manually. For most of the video content made in 16x9 ratio, we always suggest our customer to look at our 1080p product offering, like MH530FHD, HT2050A, TH671ST or HT2150ST. Should you have any further questions, please feel free to contact us at 1-866-600-2367. Thank you and look forward to hearing from you soon again! BenQ |
Question: | who makes the drive |
Answer: | Yes. No mount included. Universal mounts are listed on Amazon. |
Product description
Ideal for Mac laptops and small PCs needing extra oomph and storage, 2big Dock Thunderbolt 3 is a desktop RAID solution offering 20TB and speeds of up to 440MB/s. Designed and built for utmost efficiency, it features SD card and CF card slots for direct file ingestion, a USB 3.0 hub for charging devices and offloading footage, dual Thunderbolt 3 ports for daisy chaining, a USB 3.1 port for computers, and a display port for high-res monitors. New to RAID? No worries. Easily configure RAID 0/1 using the step-by-step wizard to optimize the system for performance or redundancy. 2big Dock comes equipped with hot-swappable IronWolf Pro enterprise-class drives for long-term performance, and a five-year limited product warranty including Rescue Data Recovery Services for superior peace of mind.
- Ideal for laptop-focused workflows, 2big Dock Thunderbolt 3 is a desktop RAID solution offering 20TB of massive space and powerful speeds of up to 440MB/s
- Features SD and CF card slots for direct file ingestion, a USB 3.0 hub for charging devices and offloading footage, dual Thunderbolt 3 ports for daisy chaining, a USB 3.1 port for computers, and display port for high-res monitors
- Easily configure RAID 0/1 using the step-by-step wizard to optimize the system for performance or redundancy
- Equipped with hot-swappable IronWolf Pro enterprise-class drives for ultimate reliability and performance
- Enjoy long-term peace of mind with the included five-year limited warranty protection plan including Rescue Data Recovery Services
User questions & answers
Question: | Is the drive encrypted to the enclosure? In other words, could I remove a drive and still read in a different enclosure |
Answer: | Yes, I use mine for my kindle fire HD 8. |
Question: | Is there a way to replicate this to an identical model |
Answer: | Working great in my garmin 55 dashcam. |
Question: | Anyone using this w/ a 2018 macbook pro or air? have you left this connected when sleeping the laptop, does the drive stay mounted or does it dc |
Answer: | Yes. |
Question: | Just got mine and set everything up just fine. it's super loud though. anyone's else's drive loud? i don't want to move data if that's abnormal |
Answer: | I believe they do comply with UMS. Although I don't know this for a fact. I put mp3 audio files on mine and play them in my car as well as on other devices that support USB devices. I've never had a problem. I even put groups of files in separate sub-directories - based on album name or artist. All my devices read the USB drives correctly - including all directory content. Hope this helps |
Product features
More Than Storage
Ready for desktop storage that does more? 2big Dock Thunderbolt 3 delivers with card slots for fast file ingestion, an array of connectivity ports, high-speed backups, huge capacity for high-res projects, enterprise-class drive reliability, and easy-to-use RAID for a truly customized workflow.
What's Included
LaCie 2big Dock Thunderbolt 3, USB-C (USB 3.1 and Thunderbolt 3 capable) cable, USB 3.0 (USB-C to USB-A) adapter, two IronWolf Pro enterprise-class hard drives, external power supply, quick install guide
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