TLDR Review: Seagate Portable 5TB External Hard Drive
Pros
- •Massive 5TB storage capacity provides ample space for photos, videos, music, documents, and games.
- •Compact, lightweight, and portable design makes it easy to carry without adding bulk.
- •USB 3.0 connectivity delivers fast data transfer speeds suitable for large files and backups.
- •Seamlessly compatible with both PC and Mac after formatting, supporting easy file transfers across systems.
- •Plund-play functionality enables hassle-free setup, including with PS4 and Xbox consoles for gaming.
- •Reliable and versatile for professional backups and entertainment needs.
- •Consolidates multiple external drives into one compact unit, simplifying file organization.
- •Faster read and load speeds compared to older desktop drives.
- •Suitable for heavy read/write usage that could wear out an SSD quickly.
- •Comes with a short, sturdy USB 3.0 cable that works well though might be a bit short for some setups.
Cons
- •Not preformatted for immediate use on Macs; requires manual reformatting (exFAT or Mac OS Extended) for best compatibility.
- •Uses a micro USB 3.0 Type B connector instead of the more convenient and modern US, which limits cable options and ease of connection.
- •Initially incompatible with some latest MacBook models (like the M2 running Ventura 13.4) without reformatting on an older Mac.
- •The included USB cable is about 18 inches long, which some users find too short, necessitating a cable extension purchase.
- •Lacks clear instructions in the packaging, sometimes requiring additional research on setup and formatting.
Bottom Line
The Seagate Portable 5TB External Hard Drive is a solid choice if you need a large-capacity, reliable, and portable storage solution that works well across PC, Mac (with some formatting effort), and gaming consoles. Its USB 3.0 speeds are decent for the price and the huge capacity will handle everything from backups to gaming libraries. However, if you’re all about convenience and cutting-edge connectivity, the lack of USB-C and preformatted setup might be a hassle. If you prefer out-of-the-box Mac compatibility or USB-C, you might want to explore options with native exFAT formatting and newer interfaces. For instance, you could look for drives that offer USB-C or are explicitly preformatted for Mac to save time and effort.
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