Best External Hard Drives for PC and Mac

External hard drives offer a convenient way to back up your computer data files. They can also connect to a satellite or cable DVR to expand storage or to a TV to watch media you've downloaded. In some cases, you can even connect an external hard drive to a game console such as an Xbox or PlayStation 3 to expand storage. When you're shopping for an external hard drive, it's important to make sure it has the features you need. You'll also need to check the system requirements and compatibility lists to ensure that the external drive will work with your computer, DVR, game console or other device.

Western Digital My Book

The Western Digital My Book for both Windows and Mac comes in 3.0, Essential and Elite models. The WD My Book 3.0 is Western Digital's basic My Book model. It comes in 1 terabyte (TB) and 2 TB capacities and connects to a computer by USB 2.0 or 3.0. The My Book Essential is more sophisticated. It comes pre-loaded with automatic backup software, comes in capacities of up to 3 TB and supports password protection and encryption. The My Book Elite has all of these features, comes in 640 GB to 2 TB capacities and also has a custom e-label and capacity gauge. Like the basic Western Digital My Book, the Essential also supports USB 2.0 and 3.0. The Elite only connects by USB 2.0. There are also Western Digital My Book models made specifically for Macs. The My Book for Mac and My Book Studio models have up to 4 TB of storage, come pre-loaded with backup software and support connection options such as FireWire, USB and eSata.

ClickFree Portable Backup

ClickFree's portable external hard drive is totally automatic. There's no setup procedure and no software to install. When you connect your ClickFree Portable to your computer by USB, it will begin to back up over 400 different types of data files automatically. ClickFree Portable is compatible with Windows XP, Vista and 7 and Mac OS X 10.5 and later operating systems. ClickFree Portable external hard drives come in 250 GB, 350 GB and 500 GB storage capacities.

Iomega

Iomega makes external hard drives with capacities up to 3 TB. The Prestige Desktop Hard Drive series is Iomega's most affordable line of external hard drives. The Professional external hard drive comes in 1 TB and 2 TB sizes and connects to a computer by either eSATA or USB. The Prestige Desktop external hard drive comes in capacities from 500 GB to 2 TB and connects by USB only. The eGo Desktop USB External Hard Drive series offers more connection and storage capacity options. It also comes in fashion colors. The eGo USB 2.0 hard drive comes in 1 TB and 2 TB capacities and connects by USB 2.0. The eGo USB 3.0 external hard drive comes in 1 TB, 2 TB and 3 TB and connects using the USB 3.0 standard. The eGo Mac Edition external hard drive connects by FireWire 800 and USB 2.0. Most Iomega Prestige external hard drives are compatible with Windows 2000, XP, Vista and with Mac OS X. Most eGo external hard drives will work with these operating systems and with Windows 7. Iomega backup software is included or available by download.

Seagate FreeAgent GoFlex

Seagate FreeAgent GoFlex external hard drives come in three different varieties. The GoFlex Desk external drive comes in capacities from 1 TB, 2 TB and 3 TB capacities and can support either USB 2.0 or USB 3.0. The GoFlex Ultra Portable drive is available in capacities up to 1.5 TB and supports either USB 2.0 or 3.0. There is also a GoFlex Pro Ultra Portable External Drive that can store up to 750 GB of data and connects by USB 2.0 or 3.0. SeaGate FreeAgent GoFlex external hard drives come pre-loaded with backup software with encryption features. The GoFlex Ultra Portable external drives are also upgradable.

For more information, read Western Digital My Book Home Edition 1 TB External Hard Drive Product Review.

Sources:

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"IOMEGA FAMILY OF DESKTOP HARD DRIVE PRODUCTS." Iomega.com
"FreeAgent® GoFlex Desk External Drive." Seagate.com
"FreeAgent® GoFlex Pro Ultra-portable Drive." Seagate.com
"FreeAgent® GoFlex Ultra-portable Drive" Seagate.com
"Protect. Store. Do More. The new FreeAgent GoFlex Family." Seagate.com
"Best external storage drives and hard drives." CNET.com
"CNET's top external hard drives of 2010 (so far)." CNET.com