Fastest 2 5 External Hard Drive
ORICO Portable USB3.0 to SATA III 2.5' External Hard Drive Enclosure 5Gbps High-Speed for 7mm and 9.5mm 2.5 Inch SATA HDD/SSD Tool Free Support UASP Up to 2TB (2189U3) Additional savings with promo code MKTCHR2TQZCN, limited offer. Material: Classic Plastic; Dimensions: 5.4 x 3.5 x 1.4 inches.
For those who chose a MacBook over an ordinary laptop must be short for some storage space, right? Well, upgrading storage space through apple is as costly as purchasing a new laptop. In this case, an external hard drive is less expensive and beneficial for storage requirements.
As outlined in our guide on how to choose an external hard drive, you’ll want one that’s fast, easy to use, and won’t break the bank. Our current top pick is the Samsung T5, a compact. Zalman's VE series drive enclosures are small, portable sleds for 2.5' hard drives that support any SATA drive you toss into them and connect to your PC via USB or eSATA (in the case of the VE200. Western Digital Black My Passport Portable Hard Drive. Our pick for best portable storage drive for.
You can switch your external hard drive from a Mac to a pc which makes data transfer for two different OS easier. Furthermore, external hard disks are less likely to get corrupted and are portable in nature.
Macbooks generally have SSDs which are capable of loading a program quickly but more likely to low on storage.
Furthermore, SSDs are quite costly and upgrading an SSD on a Macbook is definitely costlier than you could even imagine. An external hard drive is best for storing data such as photos, videos, movies, rendered projects and more.
Contents
- 1 Best External Hard Drives for MacBook in 2021
- 1.3 3. Seagate Backup Plus Slim (2 TB)
- 1.4 4. Western Digital My Book (8 TB)
- 1.5 5. Buffalo MiniStation Thunderbolt
- 1.6 6. G-Technology G-DRIVE USB 3.0 (4TB)
- 1.7 7. Adata SD700 External SSD
- 1.8 8. LaCie Rugged USB-C
- 1.9 9. Samsung X5 (1TB)
- 1.10 10. Buffalo MiniStation Extreme NFC external hard drive
- 2 What things to consider while buying External Hard Drive For Mac?
- 3 External Hard Drive Vs SSD: Which one is good for MacBook Pro?
Best External Hard Drives for MacBook in 2021
Although choosing an external hard drive is a complicated process but we have made a list of 10 best external hard drives for Mac that you should consider before your final decision.
1. Samsung Portable SSD T5
Starting off Samsung Portable SSD T5 which is an outstanding storage device, it can reach up to a speed of 550 MB per second for data transfer which is amazing. You can directly plug it into a USB-C port or USB-A port.
It contains no moving parts therefore chances of getting damaged due to mishandling are less. Even though SSD is costlier than a hard drive, the speed it offers is commendable. You will notice a significant boost in the overall performance while doing stuff that requires you to load large files and programs.
Overall, the SSD is fantastic but only if you can spare a few more bucks than your actual budget. You can get the SSD ranging from 250 GB to 2 TB from Amazon with some additional discounts.
2. Western Digital My Passport 4TB external hard drive
Western Digital My Passport 4TB external hard drive is the newest generation of external hard disks and is available in capacities from 1 TB to up to 4 TB. It offers cloud storage and 256-AES encryption alongside WD’s software for backups.
The data transfer speeds won’t disappoint you and the drive offers speed similar to what an SSD provides. If you are looking for a drive with good data transfer rate and maximum storage, consider Western Digital My Passport 4TB as a choice.
3. Seagate Backup Plus Slim (2 TB)
If you are looking for a reliable, portable, and affordable hard disk, Seagate backup plus slim is the thing you should have a look at. It supports Windows and Mac both and perfect for storing your essential data right away.
With the Seagate dashboard backup system, you can schedule backups and never lose your important files anymore. Backup automation can be set for daily, monthly, weekly or your desired time-frequency.
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Alongside, Seagate also provides a two-month membership for adobe creative cloud photography plan and a one-year subscription to Mylio create to manage your photo library.
- Affordable price
- Metal body
- Supports USB 3.0
- Comes with an automation backup software
- Doesn’t support USB 3.0 cables
4. Western Digital My Book (8 TB)
This Hard disk is probably for creators and organizations that require a lot of storage for various purposes. Faster data transmission rate will let you transfer data in the meantime, all thanks to USB 3.0 support.
It also offers 256 AES encryption for securing your data and makes sure your personal data is secured in the storage device. Even though it meets the requirements of a regular user, the only thing where Western Digital My Book (8 TB) lacks is portability.
Therefore, if you are looking for a hard disk for work purposes and if portability is not an issue, Western Digital My Book (8 TB) is definitely the right choice.
- High storage
- Data encryption
- Compatible with the time machine
- Requires power source to work
- Not portable
5. Buffalo MiniStation Thunderbolt
Buffalo MiniStation thunderbolt offers data transmission at a speed of twice of what USB 3.0 offers. You can enjoy this feature if your device has a thunderbolt port. Another good thing about Buffalo MiniStation thunderbolt is its price. It is affordable and portable.
- Also Check: 10 Best Cooling Pads For MacBook Pro Reviewed
However, it is a hard drive, not a solid-state, therefore, the data transmission will definitely be high but the overall performance of your pc will remain unchanged. Lastly, if you don’t have a thunderbolt port in your pc, you can use the traditional USB 3.0 port.
- USB 3.0 port
- Affordable
- Formatted for Mac
- Not a Solid State drive
6. G-Technology G-DRIVE USB 3.0 (4TB)
With the new products, Apple is on its way to completely shift to USB-C and Thunderbolt 3 ports but there are still some people who are using old hardware and for them, G-Technology G-DRIVE USB 3.0 (4TB) is going to work like a charm.
The body of the HDD is made up of metal which makes it durable and strong against accidents such as dropping off the drive on the floor or whatnot. It runs at a speed of 7200 RPM and can transfer data at a rate of 195 MB/s which is efficient for transferring music, videos and software.
- Metallic body for durability
- High data transmission rate
- USB 3.0
- Should be reformatted for Windows OS
7. Adata SD700 External SSD
Adata SD700 is an affordable External SSD which is IP68 rated which certainly makes it a water-resistant storage device. The overall performance of this SSD is commendable and as per our research, Adata SD700 External SSD is the only SSD with an IP68 rating.
You can expect faster transfer rates and better booting speed if you are planning to install an OS on the SSD. Don’t worry about the storage space as it is available in 1 TB capacity also. The maximum read and write speed is up to 440 MB/S, all thanks to the USB 3.1 Gen 1 interface.
- Lightweight and portable
- Shock resistant
- Supports Android, Mac, and Windows
- 3 years of Warranty
- Mac users must format it to FAT32 to use this product
8. LaCie Rugged USB-C
Lacie rugged USB-C hard disk can be distinguished easily because of its unique rubber casing that makes sure your hard drive doesn’t get damaged when it drops from up to 1.3 m height. It can withstand rain, dust and can even survive 1-ton pressure. This is certainly the best choice for content creators.
Alongside hard disk, you will also get access to a one-month subscription to Adobe creative cloud all apps plan. The company also provides 3 years of warranty for the device and will also help you to restore the data if lost.
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In terms of speed, Lacie rugged USB-C hard disk is not very fast as it provides only 120 MB/s which is comparatively lesser than the HDDs mentioned in this listicle. However, there are various variants available for this hard disk on Amazon.
- Durability
- Affordable
- Resistant to water
- Lesser data transmission speed
9. Samsung X5 (1TB)
Samsung never disappoints with its amazing hardware capabilities. With Samsung X5, you can transfer data at a rate of 2,300 MB/s which is the fastest speed an SSD can provide you. The build quality is super amazing as it is made up of metal, making it stronger than storage disks that are made up of plastic bodies.
The shock-resistant capability can save up your drive from a fall of 2 meters. Alongside this, it comes with Thunderbolt 3 technology that is ideal for faster data transfer of up to 40 GB per second which is unbelievable. You can take full advantage of this SSD on your MacBook or Macbook pro without having to format anything.
- High data transmission rate
- Supports thunderbolt 3
- Shock-resistant up to 2 meters
- Heats up really quick
- Comparatively expensive than the other disks
10. Buffalo MiniStation Extreme NFC external hard drive
In terms of flexibility, Buffalo MiniStation Extreme NFC external hard drive is really good as it supports both Mac and windows out of the box. The disk doesn’t get damaged due to dust and water which is again a positive point.
It encrypts the user data at 256 bit AES security which additionally makes everything on the drive, secure. Overall, it is a great drive for Mac owners as well as windows owners too.
- Secure for handling user data
- Protects from water and dust
- Low-speed data transfer
What things to consider while buying External Hard Drive For Mac?
So those were some of the best external hard disk drive solutions for Mac. However, you must be confused about which external HDD to choose. But not to worry, let me just point some of the key factors that you need to consider while buying an external hard drive:
1. Storage
One of the first and the most important thing that you need to consider is the storage space of your external HDD. As you already know that Macbook does not come with a huge space. Hence, you better choose something which offers you enough space to store all your files.
For many users, 1 TB of space should be good enough. But if you need to store a huge number of files and save them for a longer period of time, then getting 2TB of HDD would be an ideal choice.
Apart from 1TB and 2TB of storage options, you can also consider getting huge storage options like 4TB. But for a day to day work, 4TB of HDD does not help much. Also, they are quite expensive.
2. Transfer speed
After the storing capacity, transfer speed is the second most important thing that you have to consider. You don’t want to get an external hard disk drive for Mac, which takes too long to copy files. Instead, you need something that can get the job done as quickly as possible.
So the first thing that you must do is avoid USB 2.0 powered external HDD. As they are outdated and not fast enough. Instead, you should get an external HDD with USB 3.0, 3.1 Gen 1 or USB 3.2 Gen 1. All of these are capable of offering an exceptional transfer speed. On the other hand, I would like to recoomend you to buy the best external SSD for Mac that offers good transfer speed.
3. Compatibility
The next thing you need to check its compatibility. External HDD formatted for Windows 10 may have connectivity issues with Mac OS and vise versa. So since you are using a Mac powered machine, I would recommend you to get an external HDD with Mac OS compatibility.
Although there is no need to focus on the compatibility part way too much. Since you can always format your external HDD using a Windows Computer with exFat Format. So you can easily use the HDD with your Macbook. But yes, if you get a pre compatible external hard disk drive then it saves you from extra work and headaches that you have to face.
4. Security
If you are someone who takes security really seriously, then you must look for security features. Most of the manufacturers do ship security software and backup software. So you can easily encrypt your drive or take a backup of it. Even, if you don’t consider the encryption feature, the backup feature is something that you must and should consider.
Even to make sure your HDD stays safe, they use strong casing from physical damage. So you can consider getting such external hard disk drives that save you from every side.
External Hard Drive Vs SSD: Which one is good for MacBook Pro?
Whenever it comes to a primary storage solution for computers, HDD and SSD’s are the only solutions we have. However, in the last couple of years, the usage of HDD has dropped drastically, and people are not moving to SSD’s for better performance.
But there are quite a lot of users who are still unaware of the difference between a hard disk drive and a solid state drive or SSD.
However, not to worry, let me just draw a quick difference between both and help you to understand better.
1. Storage Capacity
HDD’s are a great option if you want something for storage. HDD’s are available in a wide range of storage capacities from 500GB to 12 TB. Even, for enterprise uses, you will find a large capacity of HDDs.
SSDs are also available with large capacities. However, when it comes to the costs of an SSD and an HDD, SSDs are quite expensive. Hence, if your main goal is to store a huge amount of data, HDD is an ideal choice.
2. Speed
Whenever it comes to speed, SSDs are a better option. Since a hard disk drive uses a round plate with a layer of magnetic material. And the data is stored on this magnetic layer only. So the disk spins and the magnetic head is used for reading and writing data.
Also, the speed that the disk spins is measured in RPM. And on average, an HDD has about 5,400 RPM, and it will have a read/write speeds of around 100 MB/s.
However, when it comes to SSD’s, there are no moving parts. As a result, it offers you a much faster data transfer rate. On average, it offers you around 550 MB/s and 520 MB/s of data transfer rate.
3. Reliability & Durability
There are quite a lot of factors that determine the lifespan of drivers. However, you should know that an SSD can sustain a limited number of write cycles compared to HDD which has no read/write limits.
But you should know that SSD has a write cycle limit between 3000 and 10,000 which is a high number. So it would not be a problem for you.
Also, SSD’s are lesser affected by any sort of damages compared to HDD. Since there are no moving parts in SSD, they tend to survive more. While HDD’s might stop working if it encounters any physical damage.
3. Cost
Finally, let’s talk about pricing. Well, if you look at the cost of both HDD and SSD, you would happily pick up an HDD. Why? Because SSD’s are expensive. When you choose an HDD, you will get a large amount of capacity for a lesser price. But on the other hand, if you choose an SSD, it would cost you 3-5x of an HDD price.
In the end, the conclusion is HDD’s are a better option when it comes to storing data. Of course, SSD’s are faster and more reliable. But they do come with a high price. But on the other hand, if you take care of your HDD in a good manner, it will offer you great performance for years.
Wrapping it up:
So, these were the 10 best external hard drives for Macbook Air and Pro. Every disk mentioned in this article has its own pros and cons, we have tried our best to list out the good and bad in every product. For Mac users, external SSD can be really helpful for storing content and transferring it to a different place.
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Your current hard drive is vulnerable to the maximum point if not cared properly. According to the surveys, most consumer’s hard drive is damaged or destroyed because they were kept carelessly.
The external hard drive enclosure turns your internal hard drive into portable external hard drive hence increasing the on the go storage. It also helps connect the internal hard drive externally via USB, eSATA or firewire. Here are the best options available in the market for you.
The Best External Hard Drive Enclosures (2020) Reviews:
1. Mobius Pro 5C 5-Bay USB-C External Drive Enclosure
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Oyen Digital is the company that presents you Mobius Pro 5C External Drive enclosure. They also provide external hard drives, but since we are talking about the enclosures for hard drives this is the best option available for you out there.
More, it has USB-C port support which provides Thunderbolt 3 transfer rate. Thought it cannot connect to Thunderbolt 2, but let’s face it in this tech changing world it has considerably become old technology.
Meanwhile, it is bulky but it encloses around 5 SATA hard drives providing you an exceptional amount of storage externally. Additionally, it includes a USB-C hub for fast charging or could charge other USB supported devices.
Furthermore, it is a tray-less and non-RAID system that helps to install 5 independent hard drives at once. Well, in my opinion, it the best choice for all those tech geeks out there who are always in need of extra storage.
What we like the most:
- Has Support of USB-C connectivity hence improving the transfer rate.
- Supports Thunderbolt 3 being able to connect with USB 3.0 or 3.1.
- Can withhold 5 independent hard drives at once
- It does not have a tray installation for the hard drive making it time-efficient to install hard drives.
2. Yottamaster Aluminum Alloy External Hard Drive Enclosure
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Having an aluminum alloy design thus being sturdy and reliable is an enclosure of hard drive from Yottamaster. Also, it is 2.5 inches long and it can support up to 12.5mm 9.5mm 7mm drives. I admit that it has no extra USB port that USB 3.0, so you might be wondering how it is on the second number of this list.
Well, it is here because of its premium built quality and appearance. Now talking about the package in which it ships in is a silicone sleeve to protect your hard drives in many cases. As I mentioned before the premium built quality of this product makes it unique from others.
While having an aluminum built it also has a meteor style cooling system helping your har drives to stay cool and work efficiently. Furthermore, this meteor cooling system not only increases the transfer rate but also gives its design an outstanding look.
Additionally, the transfer rate is noted to be 5GBps making it enough for transferring large files. More, it is supported by Windows, Mac and even systems above Linux. It also supports up to 4TB of hard drives.
What we like the most:
- Aluminum built structure with a meteor cooling system giving it a high transfer rate and sleek design.
- It is supported by Windows, Mac OS, and systems above Linux.
- Can support up to 4Tb of hard drives.
- 12.5mm 9.5mm 7mm drives can be installed in this enclosure case.
3. UGREEN External Hard Drive Enclosure
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Starting with the key feature of this product which is it keeps you any hard drive either it is an HDD or SSD safe scratch proof and clean. With the transfer rate of 5GBps, it can transfer 1Tb of data in 5 seconds. Also, it has a UASP transfer rate which makes it 70% more efficient than others.
Moreover, UGREEN external hard drive enclosure is supported with Windows, Mac OS 8.0 and higher, and Linux. 7mm and 9mm of thick and 2.5” height of HDD or SSD can be inserted in this case.
Also, you can connect it with PC, PS4, PS 4 pro, X-box 360, etc. With the SATA connectivity. Increasing your storage capacity, it is compact and portable with premium built quality and structure giving itself a long-lasting life span.
Furthermore, it has a blue indicator to indicate the transfer is in progress making it easy to know that your hard drive is in play.
What we like the most:
- Supports USB 3.0 till USB 1.1 thus having a wide range of connectivity.
- It is compact and portable and makes your internal hard drive an external one.
- Is supported by most of the operating systems.
- It has a high transfer rate of 5GBps.
4. Neeyer 2.5″ Hard Drive Enclosure USB 3.0
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The part of this product that I would nail is that it is compact having a whopping of 2.5″ with the premium and high built quality. Also, it is the best option for 7mm or 9.5mm HDD or SSD, and another thing is that it has SATA I, II, III connectivity.
Like other, it has the same transfer rate of 5GBps, but the feature that distinguishes it from its competitors is that it has self-powered USB and a light indicator for acknowledgment of the transfer.
Besides this, another key feature is that it doesn’t need any drivers that differentiate from its competitors. In fact, it just needs a plugged and plays scenario here.
More, the drives are easily swappable giving it a tool-free design structure. Similarly, it is compatible with Windows 7 and above, Mac OS and above.
What we like the most:
- It supports SATA I, II, III connectivity thus having a vast range of connectivity.
- Have USB 3.0 supported?
- Tool-free design
- It provides a 5GBps rate of transfer.
5. AmazonBasics 3.5-inches SATA HDD Hard Drive Enclosure
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The kicker is that this product is it is large measuring 3.5″ which supports SATA I, SATA II and SATA III. Also, it comes with an AC powered Enclosure case with help in improved transfer rate and has an on/off button just in case. Moreover, it has reversible data transfer to USB 2.0 from USB 3.0 making it come handy in various situations.
Don’t worry, it also has an LED indicator for acknowledgment of data transfer. Same as mentioned above Enclosure case also is tool-free and the drives are easily swapped. Additionally, it has a minimal design that can improve your desk or computer setup. While covering your hard drive it also contains adhesive sponges for the protection of your hard drive.
What we like the most:
- First of all, as being a product of amazon basic it has a one-year warranty for the consumers.
- It is AC powered making it fast and efficient.
- It is reversible to USB 2.0.
- Has protective sponges inside to protect your drive.
6. UGREEN USB C Hard Drive Enclosure
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Here is another product of UGREEN but this has some salient feature than its predecessor. Kickstarting with the key feature it has USB-C port making the connectivity easy and vast. More, it has a height of 2.5″ making it comfortable to store 7 mm and 9.5mm thick HDD or SSD. Also, the vital feature of this product has a transfer rate of 6GBps and a reversible 2nd- Gen USC-C port connection making the read and write speed ultra-fast and efficient.
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Hence, don’t worry about lagging and slow transfer rate, as it can support up to 10TB of HDD or SSD at once. Having a sleek and modern design it also has a blue light indicator for power status. Not from outside it also protects your drive from inside as soft AVA foams are attached inside to keep your drive comfortable and safe. It is also available with USB type C to USB type A (3.0) cable with the box.
What we like the most:
- It is 70% faster and efficient than other competitors as it has 6GBps ultra-fast UASP transfer technology and the rate.
- Has 2nd Gen USB type-C port connectivity.
- It can support up to 10TB of hard drive capacity.
- It is available with USB type c to USB type A (3.0) cable.
7. Inateck 3.5 Hard Drive Enclosure
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Now: this product is brilliantly and beautifully crafted with Aluminum alloy thus proving to be durable and light-weighted. Installed with effective heat dissipation technology keeping your drive stress free and cool. With the super speed of the USB 3.0 connection, it is effective in data transfer. Backing up data is also easy as it has UASP technology targeted for SSD.
Meanwhile, it has Built-in ASM1153E chipset which supports SATA III for fast backups providing the transfer rate of 6GBps. Going back in time, it even supports Windows XP and Vista moving upward to Windows 10. In addition to this, it supports Mac OS, Linux, and Android. Internally, it is also layered with PU leather and anti-slip technology to protect your drive from scratches.
What we like the most:
- It is light weighted and portable.
- It has a fast transfer rate of 6GBps.
- Supports all types of standards ranging from 2.5-3.5 inches and SATA I-III connectivity
- It also supports up to10Tb of data maximum.
8. Sabrent USB 2.0/ESATA Aluminum Hard Drive Enclosure
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Having a whopping 3.5” of Hight it defines its built quality in an instance. Personally, supporting any standard of SATA or idle hard drive would be the best feature for most of the users out there. Constructed with alloyed aluminum materials makes it a durable, rugged and light-weighted. Furthermore, accessing your data into PC, Laptops, Gaming counsel is easy with this product as it supports all the standard of connectivity.
Meanwhile, having 480Mbps speed of transfer rate makes you convenient with this to transfer data effectively. While looking stylish, it contains a radiated fan for cooling purposes and an easily swappable method. Moreover, it supports up to every OS available from Windows 98 to Windows 8, while supporting Mac OS X. Though it can withhold 2TB of data maximum.
What we like the most:
- Has a stylish appearance to it.
- Gives 480 Mbps data transfer rate.
- Supports all the standard of connectivity from SATA to idle.
- Supports all OS systems out there.
9. 8-ORICO 2.5 USB 3 External Hard Drive Enclosure
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The clear high-quality PC grade material allows you to seek inside the case without even opening it. You can insert your old 2.5” SATA I/II/III drives easily thus helping you to reuse the old drive of yours.
It has a compact and sleek looking design making it comfortable for portability purposes. It could be connected with PC, Laptop, PS4, and other electronic devices. It is portable and easy to use just plug and play. It has a wide compatibility and connectivity range. As it supports SATA I/II/III and various operating systems. Also, has a blue LED light indicator for power connections.
What we like the most:
- It can withhold up to 4gb of data.
- It is portable and has a wide range of connectivity.
- It has premium built-quality making it sturdy and reliable.
10. Sabrent Tool-Free External Hard Drive Enclosure
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Like the other competitors, it also has a wide range of connectivity from SATA I/II/III. While having a sleek brushed metal look it is built with ABS materials and has shock pads to contain any accidental drops, it is built beautifully to complete your desk setup.
Using UASP transferring technology the transfer rate is decent compared to other competitors in the market. Using a super and ultra-fast USB 3.0 transfer port aiding it to be a time saver and efficient.
It also saves time in swapping disks as it is a hot-swap situation with it. Just put your drive and it makes it externally useful.
What we like the most:
External Hard Drive Case 2.5
- Uses UASP transferring technology
- Uses super-fast USB 3.0 transfer ports.
- It is light and portable.
- Built with premium quality of ABS materials.
11. ORICO External 3.5 Hard Drive Enclosure
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Like others on this list, it supports SATA I/II/III and can bear up to 12Tb of data transfer in one go. Also, using UASP transferring technology the data transfer is super-fast and efficient, the transfer rate is 5gbps in go. More, it gives a sturdy and reliable feel when held and the consumer completely relies on the materials because of built with high-quality materials.
Furthermore, the design feature is also sleek and beautiful and can improve the looks of your gadget bad or desk. In addition to this, it is a durable and long-lasting enclosure case due to made with ABS+ metal materials. Besides this, using USB 3.0 SATA III capability can support the maximum capacity of 8TB. Additionally, it’s less than the competitors present in the market and runs on a 12V2A power adapter.
2.5 External Hard Drive
What we like the most:
- Can transfer files at the speed of 5Gbps.
- In the box USB, 3.0 cable is provided by the provider, one power adapter and one manual with service card
- Has an ABS + metal built-quality.
- Supports a wide range of connectivity and can withhold 12TB of data in SSD or else 8TB of data otherwise.
Conclusion
3.5 External Hard Drive
External hard drive enclosures are very useful in various situations. It can be a permanent piece of tech in your pocket as it is portable and light-weighted. It simply can increase your storage capacity without buying a separate external hard drive, they are cheaper than the external hard drive enclosures and much more reliable.