Can anyone recommend an external SSD for backup/storage?

[Drewps5co0tt]

I need a 2TB SSD (external) for backup/storage and need it to work with Windows & Mac (format EXFAT). I keep seeing people talking about Samsung external SSD's but when I go to their site, I don't see any USB-C drives, they are all regular USB. What am I missing here?

 

[RokinAmerica]

https://www.amazon.com/SanDisk-2TB-Portable-SSD-SDSSDE30-2T00-G26/dp/B0C5JNWF58/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?crid=XFIZ8BO2WH0J&keywords=samsung+t+7+portable+ssd+2tb&qid=1686960324&sprefix=samsung+t=7,aps,165&sr=8-1-spons&ufe=app_do:amzn1.fos.f5122f16-c3e8-4386-bf32-63e904010ad0&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9hdGY&psc=1

Sorry, googled and hit link too quick. Now that I am looking, only a few minutes in, but so far, yeah, no C for a Sammy yet.

 

[ovbacon]

https://forums.macrumors.com/search/4098558/?q=external+ssd&o=relevance

 

[Analog Kid]

I need a 2TB SSD (external) for backup/storage and need it to work with Windows & Mac (format EXFAT). I keep seeing people talking about Samsung external SSD's but when I go to their site, I don't see any USB-C drives, they are all regular USB. What am I missing here?

I have a Samsung T7 and a T5, both are USB-C, and both are great drives. Maybe I'm not understanding what you mean?

 

[Drewps5co0tt]

https://forums.macrumors.com/search/4098558/?q=external+ssd&o=relevance

Thank you for posting that search query.

 

[Drewps5co0tt]

I have a Samsung T7 and a T5, both are USB-C, and both are great drives. Maybe I'm not understanding what you mean?

I'm looking for a USB-C drive, the ones I'm seeing on their site on not USB-C, they are regular USB drives.

 

[Drewps5co0tt]

https://www.amazon.com/SanDisk-2TB-Portable-SSD-SDSSDE30-2T00-G26/dp/B0C5JNWF58/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?crid=XFIZ8BO2WH0J&keywords=samsung+t+7+portable+ssd+2tb&qid=1686960324&sprefix=samsung+t=7,aps,165&sr=8-1-spons&ufe=app_do:amzn1.fos.f5122f16-c3e8-4386-bf32-63e904010ad0&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9hdGY&psc=1

Sorry, googled and hit link too quick. Now that I am looking, only a few minutes in, but so far, yeah, no C for a Sammy yet.

That's way too expensive lol. I can get a 2TB Crucial SSD (encased in metal) for just over $100 right now!

 

[ovbacon]

Thank you for posting that search query.

well I did that because your question has been answered a ton of times.... you can buy a bunch of different usb-c or usb 3.2 ssds or you can make your own with a ssd in a enclosure and that can be as cheap or as expensive as you want. I prefer the make it yourself as I can exchange the ssd if I need to.

 

[Analog Kid]

I'm looking for a USB-C drive, the ones I'm seeing on their site on not USB-C, they are regular USB drives.

What do you mean by "regular USB drives"?

Can you link to the site you're referring to?

 

[gilby101]

I keep seeing people talking about Samsung external SSD's but when I go to their site, I don't see any USB-C drives,

I think you are confusing physical connection (USB-A and USB-C) with functional capability/protocol (USB 3.0, USB 3.1, USB 3.1gen2, USB-4 etc. and Thunderbolt). Samsungs T7 (as an example) is functionally up to USB 3.1-gen2 and can connect via either USB-A and USB-C physical connections. The Samsung x5 uses only USB-C physical connection, but is a Thunderbolt drive. Note that a USB-C connection can support Thunderbolt and/or USB-4, but may only be USB 3.1gen2.

In summary USB-letter are physical port description. USB-number (and Thunderbolt) are protocol/capability/speed standards.

You have to consider 1) physical connection, 2) functional capability of the device, and 3) functional capability of the computer port. The cable is important too - a cable with USB-C connector may or may not be Thunderbolt.

 

[Fishrrman]

On sale:

SAMSUNG T7 Shield 2TB, Portable SSD, up-to 1050MB/s, USB 3.2 Gen2, Rugged, IP65 Water & Dust Resistant, for Photographers, Content Creators and Gaming, Extenal Solid State Drive (MU-PE2T0S/AM), Black

Samsung T7 Shield Portable SSD delivers high performance on-the-go, not matter the terrain. It has an IP65 rating for water** and dust* resistance, with Dynamic Thermal Guard to manage heat control. Transfer huge files instantly. USB 3.2 Gen 2 and PCIe® NVMe™ achieve soaring sequential read/write...

www.amazon.com

 

[Boyd01]

I'm a little confused as to what you want also. But I have four 2tb Samsung T7's and one 2tb Samsung T7 Shield. There's a USB-C type connector on the drive itself and a USB-C to USB-C cable plus a USB-C to USB-A cable was included with each.

When connected to a USB-C port on my 2018 Mini, they clock at ~900MB/sec. Have been very happy with them, no problems at all after almost 3 years on the oldest ones.

 

[Dr_Charles_Forbin]

For backups, FWIW, I have a ds220j. Mirrored backup drive connected via the network. I have it because my kids never back up their computers and it's all done over NAS automatically. I went from 2 to 4TB drives recently. If you go that route.. stay away from WD Red... I've been reading some bad stories about them showing up as failed.. go with seagate ironwolf.