So, I have a mac and I plan on getting a external 3.0 hard drive. Which brands should I be looking at? I want something that isn't going to break with normal use. I know there are drives that you can have plugged in to your computer and edit from that, but I don't know If I need a drive like that. I plan on using it as a storage device for my hobby making music. Can't wait to hear from you guys!
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I need your advice!
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I've been using Western Digital Ultra portable drive for over a year with no issues. The only problem is its connector which is very sensitive and loses connection if the device is moved, it might be just my device. Its rated pretty well and WD generally makes good drives. There's also a new model out now, its worth checking out - http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00W8XXRPM/ref=twister_B00XYXB6N0?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1
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I found that the HGST Touro drive is quite nice and the best price. HGST is a Western Digital company.
http://www.amazon.com/HGST-Western-Digital-Company-0S03801/dp/B00LJO82VK/ref=dp_ob_title_ce
The link above is for a 5400rpm drive. This link is for the 7200 rpm drive for $10 more
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822145919
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It does not matter. Every drive company out there has either been bought by or merged with either Seagate or Western Digital. For consumer drives like you want there is no difference. Just decide if you want a 2.5" portable drive or a 3.5" desktop drive then choose the size you want for the best price.
I echo this advise. I would also suggest reading reviews on Amazon and NewEgg and paying particular attention to reviews of people who used it with a Mac. While the drive itself doesn't matter so much, how the enclosure was designed does. Some enclosures don't put the drive to sleep as they should on a Mac, or other weird behaviors. Watch out for those.
http://www.amazon.com/HGST-High-Per...h-performance+portable+drive+platinum+0s03694
Here's the 7200 rpm from Amazon. Less than newegg.
Here's the 7200 rpm from Amazon. Less than newegg.
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While you cannot judge a manufacturer by the success/failure rate of a single product, Seagate's 3TB HDDs have apparently had high failure rates in the last few years. Their 2TB & 4TB HDD's not so much. Having said that, my main Time Machine backup is a Seagate 3TB USB 3.0 HDD which has been fine for well over a year.
Link to analysis: https://www.backblaze.com/blog/3tb-hard-drive-failure/
Link to analysis: https://www.backblaze.com/blog/3tb-hard-drive-failure/
Nah... very easy. Just attach the drive then open Disk Utility and select the new drive in the left column. Then click the erase tab and choose Mac OS Extended (Journaled) in the dropdown then click erase and you are done.
This screenshot is from El Capitan.