- Best External Hard Drive Backups
- Most Reliable External Hard Drive For Mac
- Most Reliable External Hard Drives For Mac
These external hard drives are equipped with the latest technologies that protect your hard drives, even if you drop them. Overall, the best external hard drives must be slim, durable and have wireless mobile backup features. The top 5 largest external hard drives that expand your storage capacity are discussed below. A lot of people including you, storing important data on Seagate external hard drive instead of on your PC/Mac hard drive. The reason is perhaps that Seagate external hard drive has been well known for a long time as one of the most reliable drives for storing data. And it has super large storage up to 8TB. Best External Hard Drives 2019. Dive into these HDD reviews to pick the best ideal and most reliable storage drive for you. Western Digital 4TB My Passport – Best External Hard Drive For Mac. I bought the WD My Passport 2TB back in 2017 and guess what? I just love the transfer speed and it’s still working fine for me.
Contents
If you are planning to get the best external hard drive for MAC, Time Capsule is the most reliable, and it comes with 3TB and 2TB storage space. Those who are in need of more MAC hard drive can consider having the 3TB one. Packed with so many interesting features, this Time Capsule is not comparable with any other storage devices. Dec 26, 2017 If you're looking for an avenue to store confidential information in a safer and portable manner, then getting yourself a unit will be a real treat. In this article, we will review top 5 external hard drives for Mac and PC and help you pick the best external hard drive.
- 5.1 Top External Hard Drives
So much is the need for this modern mode of communication that items such as external hard drives are made for the purpose of keeping huge amount of data in a safer manner. In a nutshell, it's for data storage. But unlike the built-in one in your computer, this more portable and can be carried anywhere- which of course makes it perfect for those who are always on the go. If you're looking for an avenue to store confidential information in a safer and portable manner, then getting yourself a unit will be a real treat. In this article, we will review top 5 external hard drives for Mac and PC and help you pick the best external hard drive.
Part 1. The 5 Most Reliable External Hard Drives
But with the popularity of this material comes the bigger challenge in making sure that you buy the best. Different brands and variations have now made their availability in the market but if you're after of the most in demand units, then you better have a look at the following:
1. LaCie Little Big Disk Thunderbolt 2
It's considered as the fastest external storage for those who are using professional Windows workstations and Apple Macs. It's faster than the typical internal flash storage in MacBook Pro and is ideal for people who are power-user.
- PROS: It has two Thunderbolt 2 ports, fast and flexible, semi-portable and has a metal construction for added durability and protection.
- CONS: It requires a non bus-powered AC adapter for use. It has a high per-gigabyte cost. Also, finding a Thunderbolt 2 ports used for computers is rare, which may require the user to spend more time looking.
2. Apricorn Aegis Padlock DT FIPS (4TB)
An item best fit for those people who are after of a combined speed and efficiency in one package. This unit is also equipped with several layers of protection, allowing corporate people to secure their confidential data even more.
- PROS: It has a metal construction with a handy built-in keypad for easier operation. Its storage amounts to 4TB and has added encryption details for added security.
- CONS: Its lock codes are just limited to 5. Also, those who are using bulky desktop units will require AC adapter in order to have power.
3. Seagate Backup Plus Desktop Drive
Perhaps the most in demand in the market when it comes to general use. It's spacious and can hold a lot of downloaded videos, which is a treat to those who are using the drive to transfer stored files from their PC for safekeeping purposes.
- PROS: It has a high capacity that comes with a low price. A Dashboard software is also included in the whole package, which means that you don't have to pay anything additional for it. It's spacious and fast.
- CONS: Requires wall-wart adapter for power.
4. G-Technology G-Speed Studio (24TB)
For professionals who need an extremely large storage unit for photos, videos and other huge files for daily work, then this external hard drive will be an excellent pick.
- PROS: Huge capacity RAID array. It supports 5 several levels of RAID arrays and has swappable hard drive cartridges amounting to 24 TB of enterprise-class drives.
- CONS: Absence of USB port. You also cannot position this horizontally. Large chassis and a design which is not stackable.
5. Monster Digital Overdrive Thunderbolt (1TB)
A spacious external solid-state drive that is ideal for those who are after of combine space, portability and speed. It comes with a Thunderbolt cable that Mac users can always use.
- PROS: Very portable with its pocket-sized form. Has a 450 Mbps throughput.
- CONS: Expensive, and with no USB 3.0 port. It also has no cable pass-through.
Want a summary of the specs? Here's a clearer view on what they can do.
Features | Cr2 converter mac free download. LaCie Little Big Disk Thunderbolt 2 | Apricorn Aegis Padlock DT FIPS (4TB) | Seagate Backup Plus Desktop Drive | G-Technology G-Speed Studio | Monster Digital Overdrive Thunderbolt (1TB) Manual download of driver. |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Lowest Price | $1,199.00 | $429.99 | $150.99 | $ 2,999.95 | $759.00 |
Storage Capacity | 1000 GB | 4 TB | 5000 GB | 18 TB | 1000 GB |
Rotation Speed | SSD | 5400 rpm | 7200 rpm | SSD | |
Ports | Thunderbolt | USB 3.0 | USB 3.0 | Thunderbolt | Thunderbolt |
Part 2. How to Recover Lost Data from External Hard Drive for Mac and PC
Choosing the best portable external hard drive that fits you purpose well can save you a lot of hassle when locating the files that you need every now and then. But even by using the most secure storage to keep those confidential information away from prying hands, there are times when certain software upgrades that we do from our end can threaten to delete those files that we are keeping.
Using iSkysoft Data Recovery for Mac is an efficient means of recovering those files without losing anything on the process. By installing this software, you'll get the chance to enjoy some of its great features like:
- Flexible recovery options
- Easy-to-follow steps
- Risk-free recovery procedure
- Deep Scanning process
Step 1: After you've plugged your external hard drive into your computer, you then need to run iSkysoft Data Recovery for Mac. From the main window of the program, choose the data types that you hope to recover. Then please click 'Next' to continue.
Step 2: Select the external hard drive disk that you formatted or want to recover. After doing that, click the 'Start' button to proceed with the scanning process.
Best External Hard Drive Backups
Step 3: In this software, you have the option to preview all your files. From there, you can just select the specific ones that you want to recover. After selecting, you can just click 'Recover' button on top of the window. Select the folder where you want to save the recovered files. Then, click 'OK' to start recovery.
If you don't find your wanted data from the scanned results, there is a 'Deep Scan' option for you to let the program scan deep into your external drive and find more recoverable files. In this mode, you can selectively recover thousands of files like the the screenshot below. Just try!
BestExternal Hard Drives for MaciMore2019
When it comes to storing data, personal information, and essential documents, you can never be too safe. External hard drives are not only useful for storing data but are an excellent way to transport files from one location to another. When you take into account price, ease of use, and portability, the Seagate Backup Plus Slim is the most reliable hard drive you can carry around with you at all times.
Best Overall: Seagate Backup Plus Slim (2 TB)
If you want a reliable external hard drive that has a decent amount of storage, is super easy to carry around and has a very affordable price tag, the Seagate Backup Plus Slim is the best option for most people. Formatted for Windows and Mac right out of the box, it's easy to carry all your essential documents from desktop to laptop without missing a beat.
The Seagate Dashboard back up system is a fantastic simple tool that can let you schedule backups to ensure you never miss any critical files you need in case something terrible happens to your computer. You can set automatic backups daily, weekly, or monthly, and change the frequency whenever you want.
Seagate also throws in a one-year complimentary subscription to Mylio Create. This can help you wrangle your photo library if you don't already use some photo managing tool, and a two-month membership to Adobe Creative Cloud Photography Plan.
Pros:
- Affordable
- Great backup software
- USB 3.0
- Metal enclosure
Best Overall
Seagate Backup Plus Slim (2 TB)
Reliable, portable, and affordable.
Don't worry about lengthy setups or formatting procedures. Plug in the Seagate Backup Plus Slim 2TB which is formatted for Mac right out of the packaging.
Best USB-C hard drive: Samsung T5 Portable SSD (1 TB)
This small compact SSD drive from Samsung comes with both a USB-C to USB-C cable and a USB-C to USB-A, meaning it's perfect to use with your MacBook or Mac.
Its fast 540 MB/s read and write speeds are more than enough to transfer any file. And should be able to store all your photo and video files with ease thanks to its straightforward software. Plus, if you're worried about encryption, the Samsung T5 Portable SSD has you covered with an optional password to launch the drive, and AES 256-bit hardware encryption on all your files.
Pros:
- USB-C
- SSD
- Super compact
- AES 256-bit hardware encryption
Best USB-C
Samsung T5 Portable SSD (1 TB)
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With 540 MB/s read and write speeds the Samsung T5 Portable SSD is fast enough for photographers and videographers to transport all their work.
Compatible with Time Machine right out of the box, the 8 TB storage capacity on the Western Digital My Book is perfect for people looking for a lot of stage at a reasonable price. It's USB 3.0 meaning it's easy to take advantage of its storage speed with fast transfer speeds.
While portability is not the Western Digital My Book's strong suit and it needs a separate power source, it does offer 256-AES encryption when you download its easy-to-use security software. It ensures all your important files and documents stay private.
If you're looking for a drive that has lots of space, os you don't have to have multiple as your storage needs grow, look no further.
Pros:
- Lots of storage
- 256-AES encryption
- Time Machine compatible
Best Capacity
Western Digital My Book (8TB)
Lots of storage for those who need it
Western Digital offers 256-AES encryption when you download its security software, meaning you can rest easy knowing your private information and personal data is safe.
Best Thunderbolt 3 Drive: LaCie Rugged Thunderbolt
LaCie hard drives have always been good for people on the go because of the rugged design. The LaCie Rugged Thunderbolt can withstand some dust, dirt, and even a tiny bit of water being splashed on it.
It's 7200 RPM Hard drive keeps things running smoothly. And the included USB-C cable — which supports Thunderbolt 3 — makes it perfect for MacBook and Mac users alike!
Cons:
- Only 130MB/s
Best Thunderbolt 3 Drive
LaCie Rugged Thunderbolt
Rugged design with Thunderbolt 3
The LaCie Rugged Thunderbolt 3 is a favorite because it can withstand drops, dust, and even the occasional splash of water, making it easy to carry around!
Best for Legacy Hardware : G-Technology G-DRIVE USB 3.0 (4TB)
While Apple has been going the way of USB-C and Thunderbolt 3 for a while now, some of us still use older hardware and thus don't need hard drives that have USB-C connections. If you're still rocking USB-A or even a Thunderbolt 2 connection from your Mac, the G-Technology G-DRIVE USB 3.0 (4TB) is a perfect companion.
Its all-metal design is not only more durable than plastic hard drives, but it also looks stylish! Plus, it's 7200 RPM speed allows the G-Technology G-DRIVE USB 3.0 to achieve 195 MB/s read and write speeds. This makes it fast enough to transfer large video files quickly and efficiently.
Cons:
- Needs to be reformatted for Windows
![Drive Drive](/uploads/1/3/4/3/134338693/825365668.png)
Best for legacy hardware
G-Technology G-DRIVE USB 3.0 (4TB)
Stylish and fast even on older computers https://podcastusa.weebly.com/blog/majasty-2-hacks-mac.
With 7200 RPM, this hard drive works hard and fast to get your files transferred quickly. Plus, it uses USB 3.0, and it even has a Thunderbolt 2 port.
The CalDigit Tuff does the best it can to live up to its name, giving you a hard drive that isn't as delicate as most. Its official IP rating is IP57, meaning it can be submerged in 3-feet of water for 30 mins and come out the other side functional. That's not all; this Thunderbolt 3 compatible drive can also withstand falling from about 4-feet high. We still don't suggest that you purposely abuse the CalDigit Tuff. Still, it's always good to have peace of mind when you're carrying your hard drive around.
Cons:
- Only come in 2TB
Best rugged drive
CalDigit Tuff
Can withstand drops and water
Official rated IP57, the CalDigit Tuff can survive an accidental dip into the water and has a great price tag.
If you're used to dealing with giant file sizes and need a hard drive that can handle transfer data fast, the Samsung X5 is one of the fastest SSD's you'll find. Its read and write speeds are 2,800MB/s and 2,300MB/s respectively, and the entire body is made of metal, making it much harder than plastic drives. Plus, The internal frame on the inside is shock resistant for drops from 2 meters.
This SSD comes with Thunderbolt 3 technology included. This you can take advantage of the fast speeds on your Mac or MacBook Pro, and it doesn't need any formatting, so it's plug and play!
Pros:
- 2,800MB/s read speed
- Shock resistant
- Thunderbolt 3
Best fast drive
Samsung X5
Most Reliable External Hard Drive For Mac
Incredibly fast SSD
If you need blazing fast speeds for giant files, the Samsung X5 is a monster external SSD that can handle any workload.
Bottom line
The Seagate Backup Plus Slim is the most reliable hard drive you can carry around with you at all times. It is formatted for both Mac and Windows right out of the box, and its easy-to-use software can automatically do backups for you as often or as little as you want.
Seagate also throws in a one-year complimentary subscription to Mylio Create. This program can help you wrangle your photo library if you don't already use some photo managing tool. A two-month membership to Adobe's Creative Cloud Photography Plan means it's perfect for budding photographers as well.
Credits — The team that worked on this guide
Luke Filipowicz is an iMore staff writer who has been carrying around his Seagate Backup Plus Slim since his college days.
Lory Gil is the Managing Editor of iMore and an avid believer in having as many backups of your important files and documents as possible.
Rene Ritchie is the foremost authority on all things Apple and has insider knowledge about the goings-on at the biggest tech company in the world. When it comes to accessories for Mac, Rene has used them all.
Most Reliable External Hard Drives For Mac
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