External hard drives are a convenient and essential tool for anyone who needs to store and access large amounts of data. These devices offer a range of benefits, making them a valuable addition to any computer setup. In this article, we'll take a closer look at the benefits and differences of external hard drives, so you can decide if one is right for you.
One of the main benefits of external hard drives is their portability. These devices are small and lightweight, making them easy to take with you wherever you go. This is especially useful for people who need to access their data on the go, or for those who have limited space on their computer's internal hard drive.
Another advantage of external hard drives is their capacity. These devices can store large amounts of data, ranging from a few hundred gigabytes to several terabytes. This means that you can store all of your important files, documents, photos, and more, without having to worry about running out of space.
In addition to their portability and capacity, external hard drives are also very easy to use. Most models are plug and play, which means that you can simply connect them to your computer and start using them right away. Some models even come with software that allows you to back up your data automatically, making it easy to keep your important files safe and secure.
When it comes to the differences between external hard drives, there are a few key things to consider. One difference is the interface, which determines how the hard drive connects to your computer. The most common interfaces are USB and Thunderbolt, but there are other options available as well. Another difference is the type of hard drive. Some external hard drives use traditional spinning hard drives, while others use solid-state drives (SSDs), which are faster and more durable but tend to be more expensive.
In conclusion, external hard drives are a convenient and essential tool for anyone who needs to store and access large amounts of data. With their portability, capacity, and ease of use, these devices are a valuable addition to any computer setup. Whether you need a lot of storage space or just a little, there is an external hard drive that is right for you. So, if you want to keep your important files safe and accessible, consider adding an external hard drive to your setup.
The best External Hard Drives in Australia
15 top rated External Hard Drives for every need: Australia's top picks!
1
SeagateSeagate Portable 4TB External Hard Drive HDD – USB 3.0 for PC, Mac, Xbox, & Playstation - 1-Year Rescue Service (STGX4000400)
Rateable's Pick!
Seagate Portable 4TB External Hard Drive HDD – USB 3.0 for PC, Mac, Xbox, & Playstation - 1-Year Rescue Service (STGX4000400)
- Easily store and access 4TB of content on the go with the Seagate Portable Drive, a USB external hard drive
- Designed to work with Windows or Mac computers, this external hard drive makes backup a snap just drag and drop
- To get set up, connect the portable hard drive to a computer for automatic recognition no software required
- This USB drive provides plug and play simplicity with the included 18 inch USB 3.0 cable
2
SeagateSeagate Portable 1TB External Hard Drive HDD – USB 3.0 for PC, Mac, Playstation, & Xbox, 1-Year Rescue Service (STGX1000400), Black
Seagate Portable 1TB External Hard Drive HDD – USB 3.0 for PC, Mac, Playstation, & Xbox, 1-Year Rescue Service (STGX1000400), Black
- Product Type: Computer Drive Or Storage
- Package Quantity: 1
- To get set up, connect the portable hard drive to a computer for automatic recognition no software required
- This USB drive provides plug and play simplicity with the included 18 inch USB 3.0 cable
3
Western DigitalWestern Digital My Passport USB3.0 External Hard Drive, 1 TB, WDBYVG0010BBK-WESN,Black
4
Western DigitalWestern Digital My Passport USB3.0 External Hard Drive, WDBYVG0020BBL-WESN,Blue, 2TB
5
Western DigitalWestern Digital My Passport for MAC USB3.0 and USB-C External Hard Drive, 5 TB, WDBA2F0050BBL-WESN
6
Western DigitalWestern Digital My Passport Ultra USB-C Drive, WDBC3C0020BSL-WESN,Silver,2TB
7
Western DigitalWestern Digital My Passport USB3.0 External Hard Drive, 2 TB, WDBYVG0020BBK-WESN,Black
Western Digital My Passport USB3.0 External Hard Drive, 2 TB, WDBYVG0020BBK-WESN,Black
- Password protection helps to keep digital life's contents safe
- Builtin 256 bit Aes hardware encryption
- Auto backup to protect data
- Stylish design that fits in the palm of hand
- Included WD discovery software for social media and cloud storage import
8
TOSHIBAToshiba Canvio Basics 1TB Portable External Hard Drive USB 3.0, Black - HDTB410XK3AA
Toshiba Canvio Basics 1TB Portable External Hard Drive USB 3.0, Black - HDTB410XK3AA
- Sleek profile design with a matte, smudge resistance finish
- Plug and play; Easy to use with no software to install
- Quickly add more storage capacity to your PC and other compatible devices
- USB 2.0 compatible with no external AC power cord needed. System requirements - Formatted NTFS for Microsoft Windows 10, Windows 8.1, and Windows 7. Requires reformatting for Mac OS v10.12 /OS X v10.11 / v10.10. Available USB 2.0 or USB 3.0 Port
9
Western DigitalWestern Digital Elements WDBU6Y0050BBK-WESN Portable Hard Drive, 5 TB, Black
10
SeagateSeagate Xbox Game Drive Portable External Hard Disk Drive with RGB LED Lighting, 4TB, Black
Seagate Xbox Game Drive Portable External Hard Disk Drive with RGB LED Lighting, 4TB, Black
- BUILD YOUR GAME VAULT 4 TB of capacity to build the ultimate Game Vault without sacrificing titles
- XBOX-CERTIFIED Compatible with Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, and all generations of Xbox One. Play prior generation 5 games from the HDD and STORE current gen games in your library to the HDD
- BRILLIANT DESIGN A bold and refined design, crafted to compliment your Xbox
- LIGHT IT UP A built-in LED bar illuminates your gaming centre in Xbox green
- Enjoy peace of mind with the included 3-year Rescue Data Recovery Services and 1-year limited .Note: It is possible to store games on the drive, but not to play the new Games for Xbox Series X / S.
11
SeagateSeagate Xbox Game Drive Hub Portable External Hard Disk Drive with RGB LED Lighting, 8TB, Black
Seagate Xbox Game Drive Hub Portable External Hard Disk Drive with RGB LED Lighting, 8TB, Black
- LIGHT IT UP Create an epic gaming atmosphere with RGB LED lighting
- XBOX-CERTIFIED Compatible with Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, and all generations of Xbox One. Play prior generation 5 games from the HDD and STORE current gen games in your library to the HDD
- HIGH CAPACITY 8 TB of capacity builds the ultimate Game Vault without sacrificing titles
- DUAL FRONT-FACING PORTS Connect and power your peripherals with front-facing USB-C and USB-A ports
- Enjoy peace of mind with the included 3-year Rescue Data Recovery Services and 1-year limited
12
Seagate 2TB Expansion Portable HDD
- Sleek and simple portable drive design for taking photos, movies, music, and more on-the-go
- Enjoy peace of mind with the Rescue Data Recovery Services
- Automatic recognition of Windows and Mac computers for simple setup (Reformatting required for use with Time Machine)
- Take advantage of the fast data transfer speeds by connecting to a USB 3.0 port
13
Seagate 4TB Expansion Portable HDD
- Sleek and simple portable drive design for taking photos, movies, music, and more on-the-go
- Drag-and-drop file saving right out of the box
- Automatic recognition of Windows and Mac computers for simple setup (Reformatting required for use with Time Machine)
- Take advantage of the fast data transfer speeds by connecting to a USB 3.0 port
14
SP Silicon PowerSilicon Power Armor A60 4TB Rugged External Hard Drive, Military-Grade Shockproof Water-Resistant USB 3.0 Portable HDD for PC Mac Laptop Computer - Green
Silicon Power Armor A60 4TB Rugged External Hard Drive, Military-Grade Shockproof Water-Resistant USB 3.0 Portable HDD for PC Mac Laptop Computer - Green
- Military-grade shockproof and IPX4 water-resistant protection
- Cable storage design for simple cable carrying
- Rugged rubber casing that enables anti-slip and anti-scratch functions
- SuperSpeed USB 3.0 interface, backward compatible with USB 2.0
- Work with PCs and Macs, letting you to share files between different platforms
- Military-grade shockproof and IPX4 water-resistant protection
- Cable storage design for simple cable carrying
- Rugged rubber casing that enables anti-slip and anti-scratch functions
- SuperSpeed USB 3.0 interface, backward compatible with USB 2.0
- Work with PCs and Macs, letting you to share files between different platforms
- Military-grade shockproof and IPX4 water-resistant protection
- Cable storage design for simple cable carrying
- Rugged rubber casing that enables anti-slip and anti-scratch functions
- SuperSpeed USB 3.0 interface, backward compatible with USB 2.0
- Work with PCs and Macs, letting you to share files between different platforms
15
SeagateSeagate One Touch Portable External Hard Disk Drive with Data Recovery Services, 5TB, Red
Seagate One Touch Portable External Hard Disk Drive with Data Recovery Services, 5TB, Red
- Password activated hardware encryption helps keep files and photos safe
- Textured metal finish fits in with modern lifestyle elements Compatible with USB 3.0
- Powered by USB connection - offers customised backup and folder mirroring
- Drop files into the designated folder for automatic file synchronization
- Works with Windows and Mac without the need to reformat
- Included components: 1 x seagate one touch portable external hard disk drive with data recovery services, 5tb, red