{"id":92902,"date":"2023-03-15T10:00:56","date_gmt":"2023-03-15T14:00:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.adorama.com\/alc\/?p=92902"},"modified":"2024-06-13T23:01:00","modified_gmt":"2024-06-14T03:01:00","slug":"hard-drives-mac","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.adorama.com\/alc\/hard-drives-mac\/","title":{"rendered":"Best External Hard Drives for Mac"},"content":{"rendered":"

Backing up your work, your memories, and your sensitive data is a must in the digital age. It\u2019s never been easier and more convenient to store and access vast amounts of digital files, but their longevity hinges on how long our devices last. It\u2019s paramount that any important information is backed up on an external hard drive<\/a> as a failsafe against potential data loss. As is the case with almost everything digital, external hard drive technology continues to improve and becomes more affordable everyday. There\u2019s no excuse not to back up any essential data you don\u2019t want to risk losing. Here’s how to choose\u00a0external hard drives for a\u00a0Mac<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

How to Choose an External Hard Drive<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Storage Size<\/strong>\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>\n

The amount of data a hard drive can store is an essential consideration. Photographers, videographers, editors, digital artists, music producers, and many other creators require ample space to backup what are frequently large amounts of data. Having at least one terabyte (TB) is considered the norm these days, though it\u2019s often a good idea to invest in as much storage as is reasonable and affordable based on your needs.\u00a0\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

SSD vs. HDD<\/strong><\/h3>\n

The two main types of external hard drives are solid state drives (SSD) and hard disk drives (HDD). The former fall into a more recent category of hard drives internally comprised of flash memory \u2014 an arrangement of various electrical components. SSDs are incredibly fast, highly portable, and virtually immune to damage from average drops. Their biggest drawbacks are cost and the potential for failing electrical parts down the line.<\/p>\n

HDDs are mechanical and run a bit slower than SSDs. However, you can acquire significantly more HDD storage for less money, making them an excellent choice for excess data offloading. When kept safely (i.e., free from drops and accidental damage), HDDs will typically outlast a solid state drive in the long-run thanks to their mechanical makeup.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Transfer Speed<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Transfer speed refers to how quickly a drive can write data from a computer and how quickly a computer can read it from the hard drive. For average file storing purposes, an HDD is adequate for most users. But if you plan on running software from an external hard drive, or writing real-time data to an external drive such as in video editing<\/a> or music production processes, you might want to consider an SSD for the fastest speeds.<\/p>\n

Portability<\/strong><\/h3>\n

How you intend to use the external hard drive is another factor to consider. If you just want a high-capacity, live-in drive to use when you\u2019re in your office or studio, a desktop drive is perfect for that. They\u2019re commonly the go-to for professionals needing to back up a ton of data. On the other hand, nothing is more convenient than a portable disk you can toss in a bag and take wherever you go. In some cases, a user may require portability.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Connectivity <\/strong><\/h3>\n

Finally, we have connectivity. The vast majority of external drives these days connect via USB-A or USB-C. You shouldn\u2019t have any connectivity issues when shopping for an external hard drive for Mac. Additionally, in the realm of connectivity is whether a disk is bus-powered or requires an external power outlet. Portable drives draw power directly from the computer, while desktop drives need an outlet.<\/p>\n

Best External Hard Drives for Mac<\/strong><\/h2>\n

HDDs<\/strong><\/h3>\n

LaCie 1big Dock Thunderbolt 3 8TB External Hard Drive<\/a><\/h3>\n
<\/div>\n

Professionals will love the versatility of the 1big by LaCie. It doubles as a massive HDD storage device and a docking station, including a USB hub, an SD card slot, and DisplayPort video output for 4K monitors. The 1big is compatible with the latest Thunderbolt 4 for fast and reliable transfer speed and communication between devices.<\/p>\n

Key Features:<\/strong><\/p>\n