Sony Global
External Hard Drives
Apricorn 2TB Aegis Fortress L3 Encrypted Portable SSD
- 2TB Capacity
- Up to 5 Gb/s Data Transfer Speed
- Real-Time AES-XTS 256-Bit Encryption
- Integrated 10-Digit PIN Keypad
Glyph Technologies 8TB Atom EX20 High Intensity NVMe SSD
- 8TB Storage Capacity
- USB-C 3.2 Gen 2x2 Interface
- Up to 2100 MB/s Read Speeds
- Up to 2100 MB/s Write Speeds
Silicon Power PX10 Plus Gen 2 Portable SSD (512GB, Pink)
- Records Apple ProRes 4K at 60p
- 1050 MB/s Data Speeds
- 10 Gb/s USB-C 3.2 Gen 2
- Aluminum Construction
Rocstor 2TB Rocpro P33 5400 rpm USB-C Portable Hard Drive
- 2TB Storage Capacity
- 10 Gb/s USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 Interface
- 5400 rpm
- Bus Powered
Silicon Power 1TB DS72 Dual USB 3.2 Gen 2 Portable SSD (USB-C / USB-A)
- 1TB Storage Capacity
- 1 x USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 Connector
- 1 x USB-A 3.2 Gen 2 Connector
- Read Speeds up to 1050 MB/s
TEAMGROUP 1TB T-CREATE CinemaPr P31 USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 External SSD
- 1TB Storage Capacity
- USB-C 3.2 Gen 2x2 Interface
- Data Transfer Speeds up to 1000 MB/s
- Bus Powered
Apricorn 1TB Aegis Fortress FIPS 140-2 Level 2 Secure USB 3.2 Gen 1 Portable Hard Drive
- 1TB Capacity
- USB 3.2 Gen 1 Interface
- FIPS 140-2 Level 2 Validated
- AES-XTS 256-Bit Hardware Encryption
SanDisk 1TB Creator Series Pro USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 Portable SSD
- 1TB Storage Capacity
- 20 Gb/s USB-C 3.2 Gen 2x2
- Read and Write Speeds up to 2000 MB/s
- Bus Powered
Lexar 1TB SL500 USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 Portable SSD
- 1TB Storage Capacity
- USB-C 3.2 Gen 2x2 Interface
- Read Speeds up to 2000 MB/s
- Write Speeds up to 1800 MB/s
Apricorn 2TB Aegis Fortress FIPS 140-2 Level 2 Secure USB 3.2 Gen 1 Portable Hard Drive
- 2TB Capacity
- USB 3.2 Gen 1 Interface
- FIPS 140-2 Level 2 Validated
- AES-XTS 256-Bit Hardware Encryption
Samsung 1TB T7 Shield Portable SSD with MagSafe/Cold Shoe SSD Holder (Blue)
- 1TB Storage Capacity
- USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 Port (10 Gb/s)
- PCIe NVMe Technology
- Read Speeds up to 1050 MB/s
Samsung 1TB T7 Shield Portable SSD with MagSafe/Cold Shoe SSD Holder (Beige)
- 1TB Storage Capacity
- USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 Port (10 Gb/s)
- PCIe NVMe Technology
- Read Speeds up to 1050 MB/s
SanDisk 1TB Extreme Portable SSD V2 (Sky Blue, 2-Pack)
- 1TB Storage Capacity
- USB-C 3.2 Gen 2
- Up to 1050 MB/s Read Speed
- Up to 1000 MB/s Write Speed
Silicon Power 4TB PC60 USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 Portable External SSD
- 4TB Storage Capacity
- USB-C 3.2 Gen 2
- Up to 540 MB/s Read Speeds
- Up to 500 MB/s Write Speeds
Kingston 960GB IronKey Vault Privacy 80 External SSD
- 960GB Storage Capacity
- USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-C Interface
- Max Read Speed: 250 MB/s
- Max Write Speed: 250 MB/s
OWC 1TB Envoy Pro FX External SSD
- 1TB Storage Capacity
- Thunderbolt 3 & USB 3.2 Gen 2
- Up to 2800 MB/s Data Transfer Speed
- Bus Powered
Glyph Technologies 2TB Blackbox Plus USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 External SSD
- 2TB Storage Capacity
- USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 Interface
- Up to 560 MB/s Data Transfer Speed
- Bus Powered
TEAMGROUP 4TB T-CREATE CinemaPr P31 USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 External SSD
- 4TB Storage Capacity
- USB-C 3.2 Gen 2x2 Interface
- Data Transfer Speeds up to 2000 MB/s
- Bus Powered
WD 16TB My Book Desktop USB 3.2 Gen 1 External Hard Drive
- 16TB Storage Capacity
- Micro-USB 3.2 Gen 1 Interface
- Includes AC Adapter
- 256-Bit AES Hardware Encryption
Apricorn 8TB Aegis Padlock DT FIPS 140-2 Level 2-Validated External Desktop Drive
- 8TB Capacity
- USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-B Interface
- FIPS 140-2 Level 2 Validated
- AES-XTS 256-Bit Hardware Encryption
Apricorn 6TB Aegis Padlock DT USB 3.0 External Desktop Drive
- 6TB Capacity
- USB-B 3.2 Gen 1 Interface
- AES-XTS 256-Bit Hardware Encryption
- PIN Management
Glyph Technologies 2TB Atom EX40 High Intensity USB4 NVMe SSD
- 2TB Storage Capacity
- USB4 Interface
- Up to 4000 MB/s Read Speeds
- Up to 4000 MB/s Write Speeds
ProGrade Digital 2TB PG10.5 Pro Mini External SSD
- 2TB Storage Capacity
- Max Read Speed: 4000 MB/s
- Max Write Speed: 3500 MB/s
- Sustained Write Speed: 1250 MB/s
Oyen Digital 2TB U35 Bolt+ USB4 Portable SSD
- 2TB Storage Capacity
- 80 Gb/s USB-C Interface (USB4)
- NVMe PCIe 5.0 x4 | TLC NAND Flash
- Up to 6000 MB/s Data Transfer Speed
Apricorn 5TB Aegis Fortress L3 FIPS 140-2 Level 3 Encrypted Portable Hard Drive
- 5TB Capacity
- USB 3.0/3.1 Gen 1 Micro-B Interface
- Real-Time AES-XTS 256-Bit Encryption
- FIPS 140-2 Level 3 Standard
SanDisk 2TB Extreme Portable SSD V2 (Monterey, 2-Pack)
- 2TB Storage Capacity
- USB-C 3.2 Gen 2
- Up to 1050 MB/s Read Speed
- Up to 1000 MB/s Write Speed
WD 4TB My Passport SSD USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C Portable SSD (Gray)
- 4TB Storage Capacity
- USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C Interface
- Read Speeds up to 1050 MB/s
- Write Speeds up to 1000 MB/s
Glyph Technologies 4TB Atom EX20 High Intensity NVMe SSD
- 4TB Storage Capacity
- USB-C 3.2 Gen 2x2 Interface
- Up to 2100 MB/s Read Speeds
- Up to 2100 MB/s Write Speeds
Portable & USB Hard Drives
An external hard disk drive is a standalone storage device that provides additional space for your data. You can use it to backup important files from your computer's internal hard drive and to transfer files between computers. It has a larger storage capacity than other external storage devices, like USB drives and memory cards.
Portable vs. Desktop External Hard Drives
A portable external storage drive is smaller and lighter than a desktop model. It's a compact unit that houses a 2.5-inch hard drive in a protective enclosure. Desktop external hard disks have bigger housings, and usually use larger 3.5-inch hard drives. You can turn the internal hard disk in your old laptop (2.5-inch) or desktop PC (3.5-inch) into an external storage unit with the right hard drive enclosure.
Another difference between desktop and portable external hard drives is their power sources. Portable units are bus-powered. This means that they draw power with the same USB cable used for transferring data. Desktop units have separate AC adapters and draw more power. Hard drive arrays are another class of external storage devices. These have two or more drive bays for 2.5-inch or 3.5-inch hard disks. They serve as network-attached servers and support RAID levels that help them prioritize data redundancy, transfer speed, and storage capacity.
What's the Difference Between SSD and HDD?
A USB external hard drive can store files on a solid-state drive or a hard disk drive. While HDDs record data on spinning platters, SSDs use flash memory chips. With no moving parts, SSDs are faster and more durable. They’re also quieter and use less power. However, HDDs are more affordable and available in higher capacities.
Some brands offer SSDs in multiple form factors. For example, you can find 2.5-inch (direct replacement for laptop HDDs), M.2, and PCIe solid state drives in the HP hard drive line. Note that you need a 2.5-inch SSD and a 2.5-inch drive enclosure to build a SATA external hard drive. SATA, or Serial ATA, is a high-speed bus interface for connecting storage devices like HDDs and SSDs to computer motherboards. An external SATA (eSATA) drive enclosure connects a SATA HDD or SSD to a computer via USB.
Consider Speed When Selecting External Storage Drives
The overall data transfer speed of an external storage device depends on the speed of the drive used and the speed of the connection between the drive and your computer. Connection interface options for external drives include USB 2.0, 3.0, and 3.1, as well as eSATA and Thunderbolt. USB 3.0 external hard drives are 10 times faster than models with USB 2.0.
Most brands offer hard disks in two drive speeds: 5400 and 7200 rpm. Each type has its merits. For example, if you’re looking for a portable Toshiba hard drive, pick one with a 5400 rpm HDD. It has a lower power draw and is quick enough for everyday use. Pick a model with a 7200 rpm HDD if you regularly transfer large files and need a desktop external drive.
Keep important files safe by regularly backing them up onto an external hard disk. Find the right one, including fast SSD options, in the extensive selection of portable storage devices at B&H Photo and Video.