11 best external hard drive for imacs

Product description

WD Elements desktop storage with USB 3.0 offers reliable, high-capacity, add-on storage, fast data transfer rates and universal connectivity with USB 3.0 and USB 2.0 devices. The sleek design features up to 10TB capacity plus WD quality and reliability.

• Fast data transfers
• High Capacity add on storage
• Plug and Play Ready for Windows PCs
• WD quality inside and out
• 2 year manufacturer's limited warranty

User questions & answers

Question:	Does this come with the power adapter
Answer:	Yes, 110-240v power supply
Question:	Is this compatabible with the ps
Answer:	PS4 maxes out at 8TB. Do not buy this 12TB thinking it will work...trust me I already checked.
Question:	Will this work with a system that only has USB2.0 ports
Answer:	Technically it won't be any faster than a USB2 drive since the limit will be the port on the PC. But it will work no worse and if you ever get a PC with USB3 ports it will work much better.
Question:	which one is better? elements 8tb or my book 8tb
Answer:	Looking at Western Digital's Warranty information page I see this: ----- Elements - THIS MODEL - (Product Designator WDBWLG ) 1 year in the USA, Canada & Latin America 2 year in Europe, Middle East & Africa 3 year in Asia Pacific & India ------ My Book FIRST I FOUND LISTED Product Code WDBBGB NO warranty info for US, Canada & Latin America NO warranty info for Asia Pacific & India 3 Year for Europe, Middle East & Africa https://www.amazon.com/Book-Desktop-External-Drive-WDBBGB0080HBK-NESN/dp/B01LQQHLGC/ref=sr_1_1?s=pc&ie=UTF8&qid=1547662493&sr=1-1&keywords=western+digital+my+book&refinements=p_n_feature_three_browse-bin%3A668383011%2Cp_n_feature_two_browse-bin%3A5446816011 ----- The only "My Book" for the USA, Canada & Latin America I see listed is: Product Code WDBFJK , and that has only a 2 year warranty and sells for a higher price. https://www.amazon.com/Book-Desktop-External-Drive-WDBFJK0080HBK-NESN/dp/B01B6BN0Q2/ref=sr_1_6?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1547665593&sr=1-6&keywords=western+digital+my+book+8TB&refinements=p_89%3AWestern+Digital There are other variations of the "My Book" series that have 3 year warranty in The USA, Canada & Latin America: My Book for Mac, My Book VelociRaptor Duo, My Book Thunderbolt Duo, My Book Mirror, My Book Pro, My Book Pro II, My Book World, My Book World II, My Book Studio, My Book Studio II, My Book Home, My Book Office, My Book Elite, My Book Studio, My Book Studio LX, My Book Live, My Book Duo, My Book Duo Pro Thos have Product Designators: WDBYCC, WDBUWZ, WDBUPB, WDBUSK, WDH2U, WDG1T, WDG2TP, WDG1NC, WDH1NC, WDG2NC, WDH2NC, WDH1Q, WDH2Q, WDH1CS, WDH1B, WDBAAH, WDBAAJ, WDBC3G, WDBACH, WDBACG, WDBCPZ, BDTB, WDBUTV, WDBFBE, WDBRMH, WDBDFM It seems that all should refer to WD website to match Product Designator with warranty for your locale: https://support.wdc.com/warranty/warrantypolicy.aspx#group1

Product description

Every journey needs a passport. The My Passport for Mac drive is trusted, portable storage that perfectly complements your on-the-go lifestyle. Compatible with USB-C and USB-A, the My Passport for Mac drive comes equipped to connect with today's latest technology. With a new, stylish design that fits in the palm of your hand, there's space to store, organize, and share all the photos, videos, music and documents that fill your life. Perfectly paired with Apple's time Machine backup software and password protection, the My Passport for Mac drive helps keep your files safe and your life Driving forward. Compatibility macOS 10.13+ , May require reformatting for other operating systems and Compatibility may vary depending on user’s hardware configuration and operating system.

• Designed for Mac and Time Machine ready
• USB-C and USB-A compatible
• Password protection + 256-bit AES hardware encryption
• WD Discovery software for WD Backup, password protection and drive management
• SuperSpeed USB port; USB 2.0 compatible

Product features

Genius Compatible

My Passport for Mac portable storage works straight out of the box with Mac devices which makes it easy to keep you moving on your journey. Simply drag and drop files to and from, or setup a backup routine with Apple’s Time Machine software to help protect the contents of your digital life.

Plays Nicely

The My Passport for Mac drive includes USB-C and USB-A cables, so you can save tomorrow's content with the Mac computers of both today and yesterday.

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

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

Product description

Fantom Drives GFORCE 3 is a market tested product and is proven for reliability and quality. Using the USB 3.2 Gen 1 interface, it features a maximum bus speed of 5Gb/s and is compatible with legacy systems using USB 2.0. Using high quality aluminum, the GFORCE 3 does not need a fan and as it doubles at a heat sink. Versatile sleek design makes it a must have complement to any home or office environments.

• Made to Plug & Play with Mac computers, iMac, MacBooks, MacBook Air, MacBook Pro. MacOS Extended Journaled (HFS+) formatted.
• Compatible with Mac OS X 10.2.2 and newer: (Panther, Tiger, Leopard, Snow Leopard, Lion, Mountain Lion, Mavericks, Yosemite, El Capitan, Sierra, and High Sierra).
• Aluminum External Hard Drive
• Host Interface: eSATA / FireWire 800 / FireWire 400 / USB 3.0
• 1 Year Limited Warranty

User questions & answers

Question:	Is connecting Firewire faster than 3.0? My 3.0 right now is really slow (Off 3.0, TV shows hiccup a lot and gifs load really SLOW). Is this better
Answer:	Theoretically, USB 3.0 should smoke Firewire. You may be running USB 2.0 and not realize due to drivers not installed or any number of reasons. In particular, are you sure the port you are using is actually a 3.0 port? Connected via a working 3.0 the transfer bottleneck is literally the drive itself, not the connection.
Question:	can my husband and I both use this at the same time as a backup drive, if we format it into two drives
Answer:	Yes
Question:	does it come with any connecting cables
Answer:	Yes, comes with all the necessary cables, Firewire and 3.0 USB.
Question:	What cables does it ship with
Answer:	Hi David, it comes with the following:G-Force Quad USB 3.0/2.0, eSATA, FireWire 800/400 External Hard Drive, FireWire 800 Cable, FireWire 400 Cable, eSATA Cable, USB 3.0 Cable, Power Cord, Drive Stand, and User Manual.Thanks, PCrush

Product features

Fast Transfer Rates

Gforce 3 features 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 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 can be stored horizontally or vertically to optimize your workspace.

Product description

Store and access 5TB of photos and files on the go with Seagate Backup Plus Portable The perfect complement 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! High Capacity Stellar Style - Refined and understated. Cozy and textured. Backup Plus comes in an array of styles made to compliment your signature look. And whether you’re storing yearly tax documents or ever-growing collections of high-res photos, capacity won’t be an issue.

• 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 complement 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 1 year complimentary subscription to Mylio Create and a 2 month membership to Adobe Creative Cloud Photography Plan
• Enjoy long-term peace of mind with the included two-year limited warranty and two-year Rescue Data Recovery Services

User questions & answers

Question:	I want to take the pictures off my older laptops and view them on my imac.. That possible
Answer:	Yes, I bought 2 Seagates and one has all my pictures on it
Question:	Will this work with mac time machine? also how do i back up programs
Answer:	Yes, it will become your time machine. Just go to the time machine icon and it will ask “do you want to add Seagate”
Question:	Does it work with Mac time machine
Answer:	This product is not good. I purchase one in October 2020. I finished my transfer and now it will not work at all. I lost all of my backup.
Question:	Does this work with Mac Time Machine
Answer:	Yes it does. Just format the drive first to a Mac OS Journaled format. Then launch Time Machine and let it know you’ll use this drive for backups.

Product features

Have Space to Grow

Offering up to 5TB of expansive capacity and an array of color choices, Backup Plus Portable complements daily life by making room for digital life. Topping it off—seamless Windows and Mac compatibility, customizable backup, and folder mirroring.

What's Included

Seagate Backup Plus Portable drive | 18-inch (45.72cm) USB 3.0 cable | Quick start guide | Downloadable Seagate Toolkit backup software | One-year Mylio Create plan | Two-month membership Adobe Creative Cloud Photography plan

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.

• ✔ Ultra Slim and Sturdy Metal Design: Merely 0.4 inch thick. All-Aluminum anti-scratch model delivers remarkable strength and durability, keeping this portable hard drive running cool and quiet
• ✔ A Reliable Game Drive: This PS4 external hard drive features fast and stable performance for PS4, PS4 Pro, and Xbox One, does not refuse or delete a game. Compatible with Microsoft Windows and Mac OS(10.6.5 and above) in the meantime
• ✔ Improve PC Performance: Powered by USB 3.0 technology, this USB hard drive is much faster than - but still compatible with - USB 2.0 backup drive, allowing for super fast transfer speed at up to 5 Gbit/s
• ✔ Plug and Play: This external drive is ready to use without external power supply or software installation needed. Ideal extra storage for your computer and game console
• ✔ What's Included: Portable external hard drive, 19-inch(48.26cm) USB 3.0 hard drive cable, user's manual, 3-Year manufacturer warranty with free technical support service

User questions & answers

Question:	Does this gove 1tb of extra storage on my xbox or only 330gb
Answer:	Yes
Question:	What is the read write speed?p
Answer:	The specs on this drive are Rapid PCIe Gen3x4 Interface : read/write up to 3500/3000MB/s NVMe 1.3-Support , so if your Motherboard supports PCIe Express 3x4 (PCI 3.0) which is what this drive supports, PCIe 4.0 which is only now being made available on the newest AMD chipset motherboards and specific SSD drives using the new interface will benefit from the new PCIe 4.0 speeds. Long answer short: this drive should be compatible with a PCIe 4.0 supported motherboard, but rated speeds are PCIe 3.0 for this drive.
Question:	Is this hard drive able to be used for storing basic files and documents or is it meant only for gaming data
Answer:	No. Apple began soldering SSDs to the logic board beginning in 2016. Although, it would work in either an external Thunderbolt 3 or USB-C enclosure. Cost will be relevant to the type of enclosure used regarding its throughput capability.
Question:	Does it come with the cable to hook to a computer
Answer:	I can confirm, have two working in RAID 0 as a boot drive with a fresh install of Windows 10. No issues, followed some YouTube videos for the recommended setting to get RAID working. Since I'm using a motherboard with Intel RST, a driver was needed to identify the drives during Windows install but I was aware of this ahead of the time and had the drivers pre-loaded on my USB install media. Seamless and getting every bit of promised performance on CrystalDisk.

Product features

Introducing Maxone Ultra Slim Portable Hard Drive

Powered by USB 3.0 technology, Maxone portable hard drives are much faster than USB 2.0, allowing for speedy transfer when organizing your files.

This portable hard drive by default is formatted as exFAT, which works well with Windows and Mac. Some of the old devices may need reformat.

No reformat required for Windows and Mac, just plug it in and play. Y cable will be needed for Wii U.

To maximize performance, please connect your hard drive to a USB 3.0 port, also compatible with USB 2.0.

Easy to Use

Maxone Ultra Slim external hard drive is ready to use without external power supply or software installation needed. Simply drag and drop files you want to save.

Improve PC Performance

Offering high storage capacity up to 2TB, this drive is made to free up more space and effectively improve the performance of your PC and laptop.

Ultra Compact and Light Weight

All-Aluminum anti-scratch model offers stronger exterior protection, delivering remarkable strength and durability. Yet this drive is also compact and light weight. Easy to carry around wherever you go.

Product description

G-DRIVE with Thunderbolt 3 – An ultra-reliable, high performance storage solution featuring Thunderbolt 3 and USB 3.1 Gen 1 interfaces in an all-aluminum enclosure. The G-DRIVE desktop device is perfect for storage-intensive applications like audio/video editing or digital photography. With a high-capacity, enterprise-class Ultrastar hard drive inside, the G-DRIVE with Thunderbolt 3 device is plug and play on Mac, and easily reformatted for Windows.

• Dual Thunderbolt 3 ports and a single USB-C port with support for USB 3.1 Gen 1
• Daisy chaining for up to 5 additional devices
• High-speed data transfers
• Solid, all-aluminum case makes for durability and stylish looks
• 5-year limited manufacturer's warranty

Product features

Ultra-fast, High-performance Storage

The G-DRIVE with Thunderbolt 3 desktop storage solution is perfect for storage-intensive applications like audio/video editing or digital photography. With a high-capacity, Enterprise-class 7200RPM hard drive, the G-DRIVE device is plug and play on Mac and easily reformatted for Windows with included software.

Solid, all-aluminum enclosure

With the solid and stylish all-aluminum enclosure, G-DRIVE with Thunderbolt 3 not only performs at high levels, it looks good doing it too.

Fast, Enterprise-class 7200RPM hard drive

For all your heavy workloads and mission-critical data, you can depend on the power and long-lasting reliability of the Enterprise-class 7200RPM hard drive inside.

Perfect for Mac and Windows

Ready to go for Mac computers and Apple Time Machine backup right out of the box. Easily reformat for Windows with included software.

Product description

2019 LATEST VERSION

Updated with reliable USB 3.0 connector, MegaZ portable external hard drive 2526 is the latest version.   

KEY FEATURES

Plug-and-Play High Speed Connectivity

Ready to plug in and play without software installation or external power required.

Ultra fast transfer speed at up to 5Gbit/s, effectively improve your PC's performance.

Compatible With More Systems/Devices

Pre-formatted as exFAT for: Windows/Mac OS(10.6.5 and above)/PS4/Xbox.

Y cable will be needed for Wii U.

Durable and Light Weight

Protected by sturdy an compact case, MegaZ portable drive makes you bring your files and collections anywhere with its massive space and reliability.

SPECIFICATIONS

Item Dimensions: 4.52 x 3.15 x 0.39 in

Item Weight: 140 g(4.9 oz)

USB 3.0 Cable Length: 49 cm(19.29 in)

 NOTE

Type of file system used for the drive, type of operating system, and various other factors can affect the actual storage capacity displayed by your computer.

160 GB ≈ 149 GB 

250 GB ≈ 238 GB 

320 GB ≈ 298 GB 

500 GB ≈ 465 GB 

1TB GB ≈ 931GB

MANUFACTURER WARRANTY AND CUSTOMER SERVICE

• 45 Days Money-Back Guarantee for ANY reason, return your undamaged MegaZ product and receive a full refund for ANY reason.

• 3 Years Manufacturer Warranty  for quality-related issues. For 36 months after the date of purchase, we take care of all quality-related issues with a replacement or full refund including the return shipping cost.

• Compatible With - Microsoft Windows/ Mac/ PS4/ Xbox One(No need reformat)
• Latest Model - Equipped with USB 3.0 connection, this portable hard drive enables you to backup massive data in seconds, delivering ultra fast transfer speed to improve your PC performance
• Designed for PC and Mac - This external drive is ready to go without extra power supply or software installation needed
• Slim Style Handy Sized Design - 11.5 X 8 X 1 cm, light weight hard disk drive protected by sturdy and compact case, comfortably fits your palm
• Package Content - Portable external hard drive, 19-inch USB 3.0 hard drive cable, user’s manual, 3-Year friendly manufacturer warranty. Quick replacement or refund service. (1MB=1,000,000 bytes, 1GB=1,000,000,000 bytes. The actual usable storage capacity may be less, 500GB ≈ 465GB)

User questions & answers

Question:	Will this external hard drive work with Windows
Answer:	It will work with Windows 7, Windows 8.1, Windows 10, MacOS X.
Question:	could i use this with my chromebook to xfer music from one mps player to another
Answer:	Based on my experience, I would say no. Chromebooks aren't good with zip files which is how music albums download.
Question:	Can i set this up to automatically back up certain files say once a week and walk away from it
Answer:	I'm sorry. I have only used this hard drive as a means to store videos for my DVR. I have never used it to do anything else, but it has been flawless as storage for my videos. I'm not sure I understand exactly what you're wanting it to do, but as a storage for videos, it has been flawless. I hope this helps and apologize if it doesn't.
Question:	What does it mean if this product starts beeping
Answer:	Since the product is not a sold state drive if you bump it or drop it the disk can become unbalanced the beeping indicates that

Product description

Every journey needs a passport. The My Passport drive is trusted, portable storage that gives you the confidence and freedom to drive forward in life. With a new, stylish design that fits in the palm of your hand, there's space to store, organize, and share your photos, videos, music, and documents. Perfectly paired with Western Digital backup software and password protection, the My Passport drive helps keep your digital life's contents safe.

• Slim design
• Automatic backup - easy to use
• Password protection + 256-bit AES hardware encryption
• WD Discovery software for WD Backup, password protection and drive management
• SuperSpeed USB port; USB 2.0 compatible

Product features

Backed Up

Make sure everything you create while on your own life journey - photos, videos, music, and documents - doesn’t get lost. The My Passport drive comes equipped with WD Backup software that can be set to run automatically to your schedule.

Locked Down

Keep your digital life's contents secure with My Passport password protection and built-in 256-bit AES hardware encryption. Just activate password protection and set your own personalized password using WD Discovery.