Finding a portable hard drive compatible with both PCs and Macs

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innybunny

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#129171 5-Sep-2013 18:56

I have a 2011 MacBook Air OS X 10.6.8, and I'm trying to find a portable hard drive, 1 to 2 TB, that is compatible with both PCs and Macs. Any advice on what to look for, apart from something that is both USB 3.0 and 2.0 compatible? I'm such a noob... =.=

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#890513 5-Sep-2013 19:02

Depending on what's the oldest system you want to use this shared HDD with.

If the system are relative new (Windows Vista onward, Mac OS X 10.6.5 onward and Linux; format the HDD using exFat is your best bet.

Otherwise Fat32 but it's upper limit of the maximum file size etc.

Lastly NTFS, but you will need 3rd filesystem drivers for Mac OS X and Linux.

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innybunny

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#890654 5-Sep-2013 21:50

Okay cheers, so now I know how to go about formatting one, but I guess what I'm asking now is do I need to be looking for a particular type of HDD, like does it need to specifically say 'able to be formatted for macs', or could it be any old HDD? Sorry if these are stupid questions.

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#890657 5-Sep-2013 22:00

The hard drives for PCs and Macs are absolutely identical. It's just the formatting (FAT/NTFS/exFAT/FAT32) compatability that makes them easier or harder to get running. A USB connected hard drive 'designed for Mac' is identical to the one on the shelf designed for PC, but the Mac one has been pre-formatted for the Mac so it is just plug and go. So any drive you've got should as a previous poster mentioned be formatted exFAT (ideally) or FAT32. The Disk Utility in the Mac will let you check the format used on the drive when you plug it in, and if required it will let you reformat using one of these options.

Just be sure you are reformatting the correct drive!

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