One of the Best Feature Filled External Hard Drives for Mac LaCie Rugged Mini 1 TB. The LaCie Rugged Mini comes with 1 TB storage capacity, USB 3.0 / USB 2.0, shock, rain and pressure resistant body, built-in password protection and a 1-month complimentary Adobe Creative Cloud membership. The current Mac Mini is configurable with a standard HDD, Fusion Drive, or solid-state drive. However, some have argued that the new Mac Mini should come standard with PCIe-based flash storage. Best Portability: Toshiba Canvio Advance 3TB Portable Hard Drive HDTC930XR3CA See on Amazon See on Walmart See on Newegg.com With thousands of five-star reviews on Amazon, Toshiba’s Canvio Advance portable hard drive is a popular choice.
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The Rundown
Our Top PicksBest Overall: HP Pavilion Wave
At first glance, it’s easy to mistake the HP Pavilion Wave for a stylish Bluetooth speaker or digital assistant. It’s actually both of these things, but it’s also a mini PC packed with plenty of features. And that unique design serves a purpose — the top of the Pavilion Wave is a parabolic speaker that directs high-quality audio (from B&O Play) 360 degrees around the room.
The Pavilion is powered by a 7th-generation quad-core i5 processor, 8GB of RAM, and both a hard drive and solid-state drive that are 1TB and 256GB respectively. It delivers exceptional performance for the size, with plenty of power to spare for demanding tasks like video or image editing. This PC can easily handle 4K video playback, and multi-monitor support ensures that you can watch video on one monitor and multitask on another. Built-in Amazon Alexa adds voice control so you can check a calendar, create shopping lists, or ask questions without pulling up a browser.
The compact design weighs a nominal six pounds and measures only 9.25 inches in height.
Runner-Up, Best Overall: Apple Mac mini
While Apple’s laptops and all-in-one desktops get all the glory, the Mac mini is a sophisticated and compact desktop-class computer. As with most Apple products, the mini’s design is the first thing you notice — available in Apple’s muted Space Gray color, the hardware measures a mere 7.7 x 7.7 x 1.4 inches and weighs under three pounds. At that size, it seems like the mini might have performance limitations. But that’s not the case.
Apple’s move to a solid-state drive ensures the mini will run faster, cooler and quieter. Buyers can choose between two 8th-generation Intel processors (i3 or i5) as well as up to 64GB of RAM and 2TB of SSD storage. Note that the RAM is user-upgradeable after purchase, but the SSD is not. An Intel UHD Graphics 630 chip won’t satisfy most gamers, but it’ll work fine for basic gameplay and 4K video playback. Capable of powering up to three displays at once, the mini comes equipped with four USB-C Thunderbolt 3 ports alongside HDMI and dual USB 3 ports.
Best Budget: Lenovo IdeaCentre 310S
With a striking design and affordable price tag, the Lenovo IdeaCentre 310S is a compact PC the whole family can enjoy. Packed with 500GB of hard drive storage, there’s more than enough space for pictures, videos, and applications. The IdeaCentre 310S also includes 4GB of RAM, an AMD A9-series processor, and AMD’s Radeon graphics card that can handle 1080p video playback with aplomb but probably won’t be able to handle 4K streaming.
If the lack of 4K streaming isn’t a dealbreaker, then the Lenovo has plenty of other convenient features. For one, it’s tiny — nearly 50% smaller than the average desktop-class PC. Measuring less than 3.5 inches wide, the hardware is easy to fit on or under a desk. However, the small size didn’t prohibit Lenovo from cramming in a bevy of ports. The front of the computer is adorned with four USB 2.0 ports as well as a built-in media reader for a variety of memory cards. Lenovo has even included a DVD/CD burner, which is often only found on full-size desktop hardware. The addition of 802.11ac Wi-Fi standards ensures the Lenovo can browse and download at fast speeds.
Best Alternative to Windows: Acer CXI3 Chromebox
If you’re looking for solid performance but don’t necessarily need Windows, the Acer CXI3 Chromebook is a terrific mini PC. It comes equipped with an Intel i7 processor (8th generation), 16GB of RAM and 64GB of storage. Even browsing the web with 20 tabs open and streaming 4K video won’t slow you down. Chrome OS isn’t a gaming system, but it can handle some browser-based games.
The hardware itself falls firmly in the mini PC category. Measuring 5.9 x 5.9 x 1.6 inches in size and weighing only 1.2 pounds, it’s lighter than the vast majority of laptops, let along desktop units. The black plastic shell is low-profile and designed to hide the hardware components inside. The front of the computer is well-equipped with two USB 3.0 ports, a microSD card slot, power button, and a headphone jack. The rear of the hardware adds in more connectivity with four additional USB 3.0 ports, HDMI, USB Type-C and Ethernet.
Best for Gaming: Lenovo Legion C530 Cube
Small but capable, the Lenovo C530 is a serious piece of hardware in a portable package. It has the latest 8th Gen Intel Core i5 or i7 processors, 32GB of RAM and up to 256GB SSD, making this computer a true powerhouse. Fully capable of handling the latest in VR-gaming, you have your choice of NVIDIA’s GTX 1060, 1050 Ti, or 1050 graphics card. It will also last you into future, which takes some the sting out of the premium price tag: the C530 is built with one-touch, tool-free access to all the inner workings you might want to upgrade later on.
The exterior of the computer is just as smart as the inside, with an integrated carrying handle that makes it surprisingly portable. A slew of HDMI and USB ports on the back can quickly become a cable nightmare, but Lenovo has avoided this problem by adding a cable organizer in the back (a rare find on mini PCs).
Runner-Up, Best for Gaming: MSI Trident 3 Arctic
MSI’s Trident 3 Arctic is a small yet powerful VR-ready PC — it's actually one of the smallest VR-ready PCs ever made. Weighing only seven pounds and measuring 13.63 x 2.83 x 9.15 inches, it’s about as big as an Xbox One. For a desktop-grade gaming system, it’s lighter and slimmer than most gaming PCs on the market. It can also sit horizontally or vertically, depending on preference.
The Trident 3 runs on an 8th Gen Intel i7-8700 processor and an Nvidia GTX 1070 graphics card, which is enough power for playing 1080p games with ease. For a lower price tag, you can also get configurations with an Nvidia GTX 1060 or 1050 graphics card. The PC comes with 16GB of memory, a 256GB Solid State Drive and a 1TB hard drive, which is enough storage and memory for gameplay and multitasking with Windows 10. MSI’s proprietary cooling system means that when the PC is running, its fans are practically silent. But what’s most convenient about the MSI Trident 3 Arctic is its front-facing VR port, which makes plugging in VR headsets easy.
The only drawback is that the PC needs a pretty clunky external power adapter to work. But that aside, the MSI Trident 3 Arctic is a massively powerful VR gaming PC in a tiny, silent package.
Best Value: ASUS VivoMini PC
The ASUS VivoMini has long been a staple of the mini PC market and for very good reason. For home computing, the ASUS strikes an appealing balance between performance and price. Powered by a 7th-generation Intel i5 processor, the computer can also add up to 16GB of separately-purchased RAM and any 2.5-inch full-size SSD. Installing extra components isn’t for everyone, but the result is worth the time involved. That’s even truer when you consider the ASUS’ integrated 4K UHD graphics, built-in 802.11ac Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth 4.0. Two front-mounted USB ports include fast charging for quickly powering up portable devices, and the four-in-one card reader provides yet another option for media downloads.
The 5.1 x 5.1 x 2-inch footprint is incredibly compact, and the VESA support for wall mounting makes it the perfect media machine. ASUS even saw fit to include their media streaming applications and Remote Go! apps for boosting its entertainment capabilities. It’s easy to connect the VivoMini to your HDTV using HDMI input or DisplayPort++ connectivity.
Best for Business: HP ProDesk 400
If you’re on the hunt for a capable mini PC for business, the HP ProDesk 400 is an excellent option. Packed with an Intel i5 processor, 8GB of RAM and a 256GB SSD, the HP won’t buckle under pressure. If you require even more power, the ProDesk adds two bays and two half-height slots for expandable storage or extra RAM. At 6.69 x 13.3 x 10.79 inches in size, the computer easily fits underneath or on the side of a desk. A total of eight USB ports between the front and back means there’s plenty of inputs for multiple monitors.
As an investment for a small business, the HP is designed to hold up for more than 120,000 hours of use. “Sure Click “ technology protects against malware and viruses keeping both data and client information secure, and HP’s client manager is also included to defend against any data theft. Finally, HP Biosphere ensures that you’re always up to date with automatic updates and security checks.
Best Kit: Intel NUC8 Mini PC Kit
If you aren’t put off by the glowing skull, Intel’s NUC8 mini PC kit is a fantastic do-it-yourself option. The smallest NUC (Next Unit of Computing) Intel has ever created, it’s also the most powerful. Inside the compact hardware rests an 8th-generation Intel i7 processor with Radeon RX Vega M graphics with 4GB of dedicated memory. This kit is powerful enough for even hardcore PC gamers, so it’s more than capable of handling everyday processes like multitasking, streaming 4K video, or video editing. There’s even support for up to six 4K or 5K monitors with a variety of HDMI, Thunderbolt, USB and DisplayPort inputs.
As a do-it-yourself kit, getting the most out of this machine requires a little extra legwork. There’s support for up to 32GB of DDR4 RAM, but it must be purchased separately. The same goes for solid-state storage, which is easily installed after removing a few screws. If you aren’t afraid of a little assembly, the NUC8 has a winning combination of power and price that makes it a great option for do-it-yourself types.
What to Look for in a Mini PC
Size -If you’re buying a mini PC, size is probably pretty important to you. While all the devices on our list are compact, some are more so than others, ranging from the size of a gaming console down to a deck of cards. Often times, the larger it is the more powerful it is, but the tradeoff is up to you.
Processing power - You’ll find that most processors are made by Intel and their power depends on how many cores each processor has: the more cores and the faster the speeds, the more powerful the processor. Depending on your use, though, you may not need the most powerful processor out there.
RAM - RAM, or random access memory, is the hardware inside your mini PC that temporarily stores data. RAM lets a computer work with more information simultaneously, which usually has a big effect on total system performance. So how much do you need? We recommend at least 4GB of memory, although PCs will have an option to add more via a microSD card or hard drive.
In this guide to the best external hard drives for Macs, we look at the top devices for plugging in and expanding the storage space of your Mac or MacBook.
While there's a lot to love about Macs, iMacs and MacBooks, they are also tricky to manually upgrade, which means if you run out of space, it isn't too easy to open them up and pop in a bigger hard drive. While you can look into taking your Mac to an Apple Store (or an Apple-approved vendor) to perform the upgrade, this can end up being pretty costly.
So, one of the more affordable (and easiest) ways to expand the storage space of your Mac or MacBook is to use an external hard drive, and this list of the best external hard drives for Macs will help you choose the best drive for your needs.
An external hard drive is essentially a hard drive that comes enclosed in a case. It plugs into a Mac via a cable.
The other major plus is the portability of an external hard drive means you can take it with you and plug it into another device for instant file swapping – handy if you swap between PCs and Macs regularly.
When looking to buy the best external hard drive for Macs for your needs, you should consider how much capacity you need. External hard drives come in all shapes and sizes, and you don't want to pay too much for space you'll never need, but neither do you want to cheap out and run out of space all too quickly.
Speed is also important. SSDs are faster than traditional hard drives, and you should consider what cables they use as well. USB 3.0 is fast, but Thunderbolt is faster. If you want to store lots of large files on your external hard drive, then consider going for the fastest drive you can afford.
In this guide to the best external laptops for Macs we take that into consideration - as well as ease of use, affordability and dependability. This last consideration is perhaps the most important, as when you're entrusting your important files to an external hard drive, you need to be confident that it won't break and lose your data.
1. Western Digital My Passport 4TB external hard drive
Capacity: 4TB | Interface: USB 3.0
Large capacity
WD backup software is basic
This is the latest generation of the Western Digital My Passport external hard drives comes in capacities from 1TB to 4TB, and features cloud storage and 256-AES encryption, along with WD's own backup software. While transfer speeds aren't the quickest, due to its USB 3.0 connection, it offers a good balance between speed, capacity and price.
2. Buffalo MiniStation Thunderbolt external hard drive
Capacity: 1TB, 2TB | Interface: Thunderbolt, USB 3.0
Low price compared to other Thunderbolt drives
Not SSD
If you want to make use of your Mac's Thunderbolt port, then this is a great option, as it provides twice the speeds of standard USB 3.0 drives. It still uses a traditional hard drive, rather than an SSD, and while this means speeds aren't quite as fast as possible, it at least keeps the price down, while offering large capacities. There's also a USB 3.0 port for connecting to computers that don't have a Thunderbolt port.
3. G-Technology G-Drive USB 3.0 4TB external hard drive
Capacity: 4TB | Interface: USB 2.0, USB 3.0, eSATA, FireWire
Slim design
Can be noisy
This is one of the fastest high capacity hard drives you can plug into your Mac, with a huge 4TB of storage space that zips along its USB 3.0, eSATA or FireWire connection. Best digital business card app. The all-aluminium enclosure gives the drive a premium look and feel, while also protecting your data from knocks and drops, and keeping the drive cool when used.
4. Samsung T3 SSD
Capacity: 1TB | Interface: USB 3.1
Very good performance
Expensive
If you really want a super-fast external hard drive for your Mac, then the Samsung T3 SSD is easily one of the best. As it uses a solid state drive, the read and write speeds of this drive are much faster than external hard drives that use traditional hard drives. It does mean the price is higher, but if transfer speed is the most important consideration when looking for the best external hard drive for your Mac, then this is the drive to go for.
5. Buffalo MiniStation Extreme NFC external hard drive
Capacity: 2TB | Interface: USB 3.0
NFC security
Not the fastest drive
With compatibility for both Mac and Windows machines, the Buffalo MiniStation Extreme NFC is very flexible, and comes with a rugged case that's dust and water resistant, along with a built-in USB 3.0 cable. Not only is your data kept protected from knocks and drops with the rugged shell, but it's also got 256-bit AES security features and NFC (Near Field Communication) features as well. This is a great external hard drive for your Mac if you are concerned about keeping your data safe and secure.
6. Western Digital My Passport Ultra external hard drive
Capacity: 4TB | Interface: USB 3.0
Large capacity
Internal Hard Drive For Mac
Suite of applications
The latest generation of the Western Digital My Passport Ultra range of external hard drives has landed, coming in sizes from 1TB to 4TB. It features cloud storage and 256-AES encryption, along with WD's own software suite.
It is a good performer when it comes to data transfer speeds but doesn't come near the top of the leaderboard. Unsurprisingly, it doesn't reach the top speeds of solid state external drives, but for external hard drives based on traditional HDDs, this is the drive to consider.
7. LaCie Porsche Design Mobile Drive 4TB
USB-C star
Capacity: 4TB | Interface: USB-C
Fast USB-C connection
Expensive
You may have stumbled upon the LaCie Porsche Design Mobile Drive when perusing the Apple website for USB-C accessories. There’s a reason for that: the Porsche Design ships with both USB Type-C to Type-A and USB Type-C to Type-C connectors, making it a worthy candidate regardless of your setup.
It’s expensive for an external hard drive, don’t get us wrong, especially if you’re in the market for the top-end 4TB option. On the other hand, this is an HDD that could theoretically output speeds of up to 5Gbps, if it weren’t hindered by the limits of SMR (Shingled Magnetic Recording) technology. With MacBooks coming with USB Type-C connections, this is an excellent - and stylish - external hard drive that makes the most of this speedy new port.
8. iStorage diskAshur 2TB external hard drive
A brilliant external hard drive for extra security
Capacity: 2TB | Interface: USB 3.0
Physical security
Expensive
If you're worried about people getting access to your data if your external hard drive is stolen, than you'll like the iStorage drive here. If someone tries to tamper with your iStorage drive, you can configure it to self-desturct. What's more, the data is encrypted by the 256-bit AES protocol, with multiple forms of protection in place to ensure the bad guys don't get in no matter how persistent. When you consider all that extra security, the prices won't scare you away either. It's more pricey than the other drives of its capacity, but the extra security it offers will be well worth it for many people.
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