portable external hard drive compatible with Mac/PC without formatting

Question

Hello, can someone recommend a high-capacity portable external hard drive (1TB, 2TB) compatible with Mac and PC for read/write without formatting and regardless of the version of iOS/Windows systems? thank you very much for your help

_Ritchi_ · Accepted Answer

Hello  A new disk is often formatted for Windows, so either the FAT32 or NTFS format is used.  If it’s FAT32, then the Mac will be able to read and write to it, and you can use it as is on your Mac and PC. However, you should be aware of the limitations of this format, such as the maximum file size, the maximum filename length, etc.  If it’s NTFS, then the Mac will only be able to read it. You will need to purchase and install a tool like NTFS for Mac OS X from Paragon to be able to write to the disk.  If you reformat it from your Mac by choosing the exFAT format, then the disk will be directly usable on both Mac and PC.  Ritchi

y3x · Answer

Hello,  Just a small note: If you intend to use this hard drive for Time Machine backups as well, you won't be able to unless you partition and format it.  However, you can have a very large capacity hard drive and partition it into 2 partitions:  One partition in exFAT and the other partition in "Mac OS X Extended (Journaled) for Time Machine backups.  How to partition and format a hard drive using Disk Utility on Mac OS X: http://www6.osxfacile.com/?tdfs=1&kw=Apple+Help+Desk&term=Apple%20Help%20Desk%20Support%20System&term=Download%20from%20Secure%20Cloud%20File%20Storage&term=Live%20Chat%20Support%20Agent&backfill=0   -- "To make any change in our lives, we must first express gratitude for what we already have."

fleles · Answer

Hello and thank you for your replies :)  Actually, I mainly use Macs, but I also work with PCs, so it's necessary to be able to transfer data easily.  And I just bought a Western Digital My Passport Ultra 2TB hard drive, which is currently formatted NTFS (PC).  It's true that with another hard drive (Samsung 500GB), I got used to using it like a USB stick because there were no restrictions depending on the machines.  - I don't think I'll be using this hard drive for Time Machine or partitioning it (but thanks y3x) - I mainly store large media files sometimes exceeding 4GB (music, movies, image files like InDesign, Photoshop, etc.). This is therefore not compatible with FAT32... - I have a MacBook, so the iOS version must be 10.5.8. And I don’t know if that’s compatible with the exFAT format. > So I'm hesitating between buying another 'simpler' hard drive (if you know any...), > or formatting it to exFAT (or HFS?) and using it on PCs through the intended software... > tossing my MacBook, which is too vintage... or only using the Samsung hard drive on the MacBook  I hope I have better described my issue.....:)

dede74000 · Answer

Good evening,  A MacBook running Mac OS X 10.5.8? Why not upgrade to 10.6, knowing that this OS will be more efficient than Leopard (10.5) and would allow for better connectivity, either to modern peripherals or to certain websites, etc. and, depending on the exact model, it might be able to run a superior OS. Snow Leopard (10.6) is still available in the store for €18 + shipping = €24: https://www.apple.com/fr/shop/refurbished  And, just in case, help for installation: install Mac OS X 10.6  As for external hard drives, this special file will teach you the technique. I am not sure if the exFat format is compatible with your current OS.  -- When it's urgent, it's already too late (Talleyrand)

Portable external hard drive compatible with Mac/PC without formatting

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