These days having a good external storage hard drive is almost indispensable. It is needed for you to take a backup of all the vital files that you may need to secure to protect your data, should anything happen to your laptop.
Moreover, these external storage devices help accentuate your storage capacity and allow you to carry your files with you regardless of where you are going. To help you make an informed choice, we have come up with a list of some of the best portables external storage devices for both Windows and Mac.
Toshiba Canvio Basics
Need a budget external HDD that works well? The Toshiba Canvio Basics can be your go-to choice. You can buy the 1 TB model of the hard disk at a super cheap rate, and it will not cost you over 50 USD. However, if you feel that your requirement is more, you can opt for a 4 TB external hard disk at a price lower than 100 USD.
This hard disk is compatible with both Mac and Windows laptops. To make Toshiba Canvio Basics work with your Mac computer or laptop, you need to reformat the hard drive, suggests Nathan, who works with TFTH. There are several models available on this hard disk. The 1 TB or the 500 GB models have connectivity of USB 2.0. On the other hand, the 4TB, 3 TB, or the 2 TB variants have connectivity of USB 3.0.
Seagate Backup Plus Hub
If you need a perfect hard drive for backups, the Seagate Backup Plus can be a good pick. The hard drive has a capacity of 10 TB, and is large enough to accommodate all your backups in a place, says Natasha, who works with TAE. It is a hard drive designed for Windows computers. However, you can use it for Mac too.
For that, you will have to install a driver on the Mac. Once you do that, you can use the hard drive for your Windows and Mac computers without reformating it.
The HDD has two super-fast USB 3.0 ports in the front. With the ports, you can connect the device to your computer, take a backup or charge them. It also means that you can backup the data from the USB thumbs drive while you charge your phone. Moreover, all of the devices are available on the computer while being connected.
You can also download the backup software of the HDD. It will allow you to schedule the backups as per your need. So, if something happens to your computer, you can use the recent backup to restore your files, programs, and others.
WD My Passport Ultra
Usually, the external hard drives that you find in the market today are formatted for Windows computers. Of course, you can reformat to make them compatible with Mac computers, what if you do not wish to go through this trouble? So, if you are a Mac user, you can invest in the WD My Passport Ultra. It is a hard drive that is designed mainly for Macs. Thus, using the hard drive, you can take a backup for your Mac with the Time Machine.
WD My Passport Ultra is an excellent external hard drive for your Mac. It comes with multiple hard drive models, such as 4 TB, 2 TB, or 5 TB capacity options. This is the perfect hard drive for MacBook users who wish to expand the storage space.
One of the most notable aspects of the WD My Passport Ultra is that you can password protect your data and keep it secure, says Chan, who works with TrumpLearning.
The hard drive comes with an adaptor for USB-A ports and a USB-C cable. Consequently, you can use it with any laptop or Mac device. If you have a Windows computer, you have nothing to worry about as this hard drive can also work with a Windows computer.
However, you will need to download the right driver for the compatible OS before using it.
SanDisk Extreme Portable SSD
If you need a hard drive to carry with you anytime and anywhere, then SanDisk Extreme Portable SSD can be your ideal pick, suggests Martha, who works with FineGrades. This solid-state drive is incredibly portable and has almost the same size as your phone. Thus, even if you keep it in your purse or pocket, you will barely notice it.
But, this external hard disk by Sandisk is more than just portable. It is shielded from the environmental elements, such as dust and water. The SanDisk Extreme Portable SSD comes with an IP55 rating. It can thus overcome an impact or fall of approximately 6.5 feet on the concrete floors.
This SSD is available in several storage space variants, such as 2 TB, 1 TB, 500 GB, and 250 GB. The hard disk works well with both Mac and Windows computers. It also has a USB Type-C, which allows seamless file transfers.