Best external HDs for 2017 MBP?

[Ray111]

Purchased a 15" 2017 MBP last weekend and am looking to purchase a new HD. I've been using a 1 TB WD My Passport with my previous MBP but am looking for a significant update.

Any recommendations?

THanks!

 

[chabig]

There is no such thing as a "best" hard drive. They are all the same on the inside. Pick the one you think has the prettiest case.

 

[ZapNZs]

How are you going to use the drive?
If you are using it for unique data storage, how will you back it up?
What do you want in an upgrade? - reliability, speed, compactness, ability to use as a personal cloud?
Does it matter whether this is a portable drive or not?

 

[Ray111]

Thanks for the swift replies. Speed should be covered by switching to USB 3.0. I'll mainly be using it for Time Machine, do not necessarily need to use it as a personal cloud.

I'm aware there are a lot of comparable models across a number of companies but wanted to know if any of these stood out significantly..

 

[PBG4 Dude]

I’ve been using WD and Toshiba external drives for years now without issue. Have one hooked up to my kid’s Xbox One, and use 3 more for laptop backups.

With Toshiba in financial straits, I’d probably stick with WD. Picked up a 4TB WD From Best Buy last month for $109 plus tax. Apparently B&H has 4TB drives from $99 so it’s a really great deal for the money, IMHO.

I partitioned the drive so only a portion would be dedicated to Time Machine and it wouldn’t overtake space dedicated to my files.

 

[Ethosik]

Thanks for the swift replies. Speed should be covered by switching to USB 3.0. I'll mainly be using it for Time Machine, do not necessarily need to use it as a personal cloud.

I'm aware there are a lot of comparable models across a number of companies but wanted to know if any of these stood out significantly..

I find they are all the same these days. I have had numerous western digital drives and Seagate drives fail lately. It doesn't really matter. Just make sure you have a backup because that hard drive will fail. It just not be for 10 years or so.

 

[ZapNZs]

Thanks for the swift replies. Speed should be covered by switching to USB 3.0. I'll mainly be using it for Time Machine, do not necessarily need to use it as a personal cloud.

I'm aware there are a lot of comparable models across a number of companies but wanted to know if any of these stood out significantly..

If you are only using it as a backup drive, I would say purchase whatever model you can find for cheapest in the enclosure you like. I'm personally a fan of WD Black 2.5 line (mainly because they come with a 5 year warranty, and quite a few HDDs fail within a 5 year span - it seems at least 25% of HDDs fail in this period, and this way you get a free replacement) and the HGST UltraStar for 3.5s (arguably unnecessary).

 

[Weaselboy]

I'm aware there are a lot of comparable models across a number of companies but wanted to know if any of these stood out significantly..

Nah... not really. Just decide if you want a 2.5" laptop style or a 3.5 inch desktop style, then grab whatever you can find on sale in the size you need.

 

[burgman]

Purchased a 15" 2017 MBP last weekend and am looking to purchase a new HD. I've been using a 1 TB WD My Passport with my previous MBP but am looking for a significant update.

Any recommendations?

THanks!

How do you plan to use the external drive? I use a Samsung T5 iTB SSD to carry my Itunes library and work field kit tech manuals. If you do 4K editing alot something with a fan like G-Technology