If you’re anything like us, you run out of storage for all your photos and videos quickly. Hard drives fill up fast, especially if you are diligent about keeping things backed up in multiple places. And although hard drive prices have come down significantly from what they were, if you are looking for large-capacity drives or fast, portable SSDs, they are still quite pricey. Luckily, shopping holidays like Amazon Prime Day result in very steep discounts on both desktop and portable drives, saving you significantly on storage.

SAMSUNG T7 Shield 4TB Portable SSD $199.99 (was $429.99)

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A portable SSD is something that every photographer should have in their arsenal. It’s an easy way to keep files that you are currently working on backed up without bogging down your computer. This Samsung T7 shield is one of the best available, in large part thanks to its rugged IP65 rating. It also offers read and write speeds up to 1,050 MB/s and 1,000 Mb/S, respectively, so it’s plenty fast enough to edit directly from the drive. There are smaller capacities of this drive, but the 4TB version is the only one with a Prime Day deal going.

Synology 2-Bay DiskStation DS723+ (Diskless) $359.99 (was $449.99)

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If you need serious storage, a setup like this is a fantastic solution. This is a two-bay NAS solution that can be customized as your needs change and library grows. There’s even optional support for up to seven drives, making this a long-term solution or an option for those serious about backing up their files safely. It doesn’t come with the drives, so you’ll need to buy those separately. We’d suggest these Western Digital HDDs, which also happen to be on sale for Prime Day.

More Prime Day hard drive deals

Portable SSDs

• SAMSUNG T7 2TB, Portable SSD $99.99 (was $129.99)
• Crucial X8 4TB Portable SSD $175.99 (was $479.99)
• SanDisk 2TB Extreme Portable SSD $109.99 (was $149.99)

Portable HDDs

• LaCie Rugged Mini 2TB External Hard Drive Portable HDD $69.99 (was $109.99)
• LaCie Rugged Mini 4TB External Hard Drive Portable HDD $99.99 (was $159.99)
• LaCie Rugged Mini 5TB External Hard Drive Portable HDD $119.99 (was $169.99)
• WD 5TB My Passport for Mac $99.99 (was $159.99)

Desktop drives

• WD 20TB Elements Desktop External Hard Drive $319.99 (was $505.99)
• WD 8TB My Cloud EX2 Ultra Network Attached Storage $319.99 (was $399.99)
• WD 6TB My Book Desktop External Hard Drive $105.99 (was $122.50)
• WD 22TB My Book Desktop External Hard Drive $449.99 (was $599.99)
• Synology 4-Bay DiskStation DS923+ (Diskless) $479.99 (was $599.99)

The post Last-minute Prime Day hard drive and SSD deals appeared first on Popular Photography.

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Portable solid-state drives (SSDs) are fantastic tools for photographers, videographers, and content creators. They are incredibly compact, so you can keep one on you and keep your work backed up even if you are traveling. They offer fast enough speeds to work directly off of to keep your computer’s hard drive freed up. And most of them are very durable, keeping your files safer than hard disk drives (HDDs). The downside is that they are more expensive than HDDs, but luckily, prices frequently drop, and right now, you can get two versions of our favorite SSDs—SanDisk’s Extreme Portable SSD—for cheaper than we have ever seen them. Explore the sweet deals on SanDisk portable SSDs below.

SanDisk 2TB Extreme Portable SSD $119.99 (was $459.99)

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For most creatives, 2TB of portable storage is an ideal amount. And it also happens to provide the biggest discount of all the capacities of this model. The Extreme Portable SSD offers up to 1050MB/s read and 1000MB/s write speeds over a USB-C connection, IP55 water and dust resistance size feet of drop protection, and a carabiner loop to keep it from getting lost. And the rubberized texture keeps it from slipping out of pockets or off of airplane tray tables.

More capacities:

• SanDisk 500GB Extreme Portable SSD $69.95 (was $149.99)
• SanDisk 1TB Extreme Portable SSD $82.99 (was $249.99)
• SanDisk 4TB Extreme Portable SSD $249.99 (was $699.99)

SanDisk 4TB Extreme PRO Portable SSD $299.99 (was $899.99)

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If the Extreme Portable doesn’t offer fast enough speeds for you, the Extreme PRO Portable SSD should fit the bill. It provides up to 2000MB/s read and write speeds, making them the better choice for videographers who may want to edit directly off the drive from time to time. It still offers the same ruggedness and durability as the other drive, so your precious files will be safe.

More capacities of SanDisk portable SSDs:

• SanDisk 1TB Extreme PRO Portable SSD $146.62 (was $309.99)
• SanDisk 2TB Extreme PRO Portable SSD $179.99 (was $499.99)

The post Major savings of up to 74 percent on SanDisk portable SSDs now at Amazon appeared first on Popular Photography.

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Best overall		SanDisk 2TB Extreme PRO Portable SSD		SEE IT	The overall best is fast and reliable
Best value		Crucial X6		SEE IT	This smooth drive fits easily in any pocket
Best rugged		LaCie Rugged SSD 1TB Solid State Drive		SEE IT	It can withstand a beating without losing data

Whether you’re backing up files in the field or just trying to keep your laptop’s internal drive free from clutter, SSDs can help. If you’ve been capturing memories with your camera for a while, you know there are two types of drives: one that has already failed and one that is about to fail. External solid state drives (SSD) is made up of flash. Because of this, they lack the moving parts found in traditional external hard disc drives (HDDs), which makes the SSD less susceptible to damage from shock. No moving parts also mean it runs quieter and faster. Ultimately, the best SSDs are a lot more reliable when you are traveling around than using a drive with a spinning disc.  

• Best overall: SanDisk 2TB Extreme PRO Portable SSD
• Best value: Crucial X6
• Best rugged: LaCie Rugged SSD 1TB Solid State Drive
• Best large-capacity: SABRENT Rocket XTRM-Q 16TB External Aluminum SSD
• Best budget: Samsung SSD T7, 500GB

How we chose the best SSDs

The writers and editors at PopPhoto are constantly moving photo and video files around, which makes fast transfer speeds and reliable drives crucial to our process. To choose the best SSDs, we relied on hands-on testing, personal experience, spec comparisons, editorial reviews, and user feedback to find drives with the right mix of portability, reliability, and affordability. We focused on drives from reputable companies with solid reputations for not losing data. We also emphasized portability and stuck only to external SSDs since internal SSDs are an entirely different can of worms.

The best SSDs: Reviews & recommendations

Best overall: 2TB SanDisk Extreme PRO Portable SSD

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Specs

• Capacity: 1TB, 2TB, and 4TB
• Speed: Up to 2,000 MB/s
• Size: 0.41 x 2.28 x 4.36 inches
• Weight: 2.72 ounces

Pros

• Fast
• Reliable
• Very portable

Cons

• Pricey

The 2TB SanDisk Extreme PRO Portable SSD has 2000MB/sec read/write speeds and is made of a forged aluminum that acts as a heat sink for the drive. It’s a rugged 2TB external hard drive in a tiny package that has 2-meter drop protection, is IP55 water and dust resistant, and has a little loop for a carabiner to keep it securely attached when you are on the move. The SanDisk SSD includes 256-bit AES encryption and password protection for when you are carrying sensitive data. It fits in the palm of your hand, and SanDisk SSDs also come in a 1TB capacity if you need less space and/or are working on a tight budget. 

Best value: Crucial X6

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Specs

• Capacity: 500GB, 1TB, 2TB, and 4TB
• Speed: 800MB/s
• Size: 2.72 x 0.43 x 2.52 inches
• Weight: 1.48 ounces

Pros

• Easy to fit in a pocket
• Up to 4TB storage
• Affordable

Cons

• Not as fast as others on the list

This Crucial drive has rounded edges and a small form factor that make it easy to stick into a bag or even a pants pocket if you need to move in a hurry. At 800MB/s it’s not quite as fast as some of the other drives on this list, but it’s still speedy enough for transferring files and even video editing if you need it. It relies on a removable cable with a USB-C connection, but it comes with both a USB-C and USB-A cable to work better with older laptops.

Best rugged: LaCie Rugged SSD 1TB Solid State Drive

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Specs

• Capacity: 500GB, 1TB, 2TB
• Speed: 1,050MB/s
• Size: 0.67 x 2.56 x 3.85 inches
• Weight: 3.53 ounces

Pros

• IP67 rating for toughness and water resistance
• Rugged, rubberized coating
• Easy to see in a bag

Cons

• Bulky

LaCie’s bright orange SSDs have IP67-rated water and dust resistance, three-meter drop protection, and 2-ton car crush resistance. If you are going to be transferring photos and videos in the unforgiving outdoors, this is the drive for you. It offers read/write speeds up to 1050MB/sec for 4K footage and has Seagate Self-Encrypting technology. As an added bonus, the LaCie drive comes with a one-month complimentary membership to Adobe Create Cloud. It also includes a five-year protection plan with data recovery services in case you run into issues. 

Best large-capacity: SABRENT Rocket XTRM-Q 16TB External Aluminum SSD

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Specs

• Capacity: 2TB, 4TB, 8TB, and 16TB
• Speed: 1400MB/s per single SSD or up to 2800MB/s for RAID-0 mode
• Size: 4.5 x 2.56 x 0.68 inches
• Weight: 8.3 ounces

Pros

• 16TB storage option is tops on the list
• Rugged aluminum shell
• Thunderbolt compatible
• Fast performance

Cons: 

• Requires a power adapter
• Expensive

Larger capacity drives come with much higher prices, but if space is what you need you can’t do better than this 16TB SSD drive from Sabrent. The XTRM-Q 16TB SSD is a dual disk drive consisting of two separate 8TB disks. Because of the dual drive configuration, it provides RAID functionality with four possible setups. You can choose to use them as two independent 8TB drives, RAID-0, RAID-1, or JBOD/Sequential. That means you can customize this SSD to truly work how you need it to.

The XTRM-Q from Sabrent is Thunderbolt certified by Intel, resulting in fast speeds. It offers 1400MB/s per single SSD or up to 2800MB/s when using RAID-0 mode. That’s fast enough to edit directly off the drive. While it’s certainly small for a device with this much storage, it does require a power supply, unlike the other options on our list. But that’s a small price to pay for the amount of storage and flexibility you are getting in such a small package.

Best budget: Samsung SSD T7, 500GB

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Specs

• Capacity: 500GB, 1Tb, and 2TB
• Speed: 1,050MB/s
• Size: 3.3 x 2.2 x 0.3 inches
• Weight: 1.48 ounces

Pros

• Very compact
• Fast transfers
• Affordable

Cons

• Barebones feature list

Drive capacity is the main thing that drives up the price of SSD hard drives. As a result, folks looking to save should opt for a drive with a lower capacity. That doesn’t mean you have to opt for lower quality, however. This 500GB Samsung SSD has a read/write speed of 1050MB/s and 1000MB/sec, which is nice and speedy. It is shock resistant and can withstand drops from 1.8 meters and features dynamic thermal guard to prevent overheating. And it can be password protected. At under $100 for the 500GB version, this Samsung SSD won’t put nearly as big of a dent in your wallet as some of the other drives on this list. 

Things to consider when shopping for SSDs

When shopping for computer storage, the price of the drive has a lot to do with storage capacity and read/write speeds. Larger capacity drives with faster read/write speeds will be the most expensive, while lower-capacity drives with slower speeds will cost less. 

Speed

Speed and reliability are probably the most important features for photographers, while capacity is likely more crucial for videographers. To futureproof yourself with the fastest transfer speeds, the best computer storage will be USB 3.1 or 3.2—avoid the older, slower USB 3.0 models. Some drives offer a rugged build for additional protection, which is great if you often find yourself working outdoors or in a location where you have to improvise with desk space. The majority of SSD drives are compatible with both Mac and PC and just require formatting for the appropriate platform before use. 

Size

The physical size of SSDs can vary greatly, as do colors and design elements. But these factors are typically less important than capacity when it comes to computer storage. In recent years the speed and capacity rates of SSD drives on the market have exploded. Selecting the right SSD size has a lot to do with the files you’ll store on it, where you will use it, and how much space you need. If you are working with 4K video files, a large capacity 4TB drive might be the best option. But if you are diligent about getting your files off of the portable SSD and into an archival storage system and are primarily shooting photographs, smaller-capacity SSDs will suffice. Ultimately, the best SSD for you is the one that fits in your bag and can fit all your files.

Connectivity

Most drives on the market at the moment connect to a computer via USB-C. Speed can vary with that connection, so be sure to make sure the device comes with a cable that makes the most of your computer’s actual connections. Some drives have the cable integrated, while others require you to carry an external wire. The former has an advantage when it comes to convenience (you’ll never be out of luck when you forget a cable), but if that wire dies, it takes the whole device with it.

FAQs

Related: These are the fastest SD cards for your camera

Final thoughts on the best SSDs

• Best overall: SanDisk 2TB Extreme PRO Portable SSD
• Best value: Crucial X6
• Best rugged: LaCie Rugged SSD 1TB Solid State Drive
• Best large-capacity: SABRENT Rocket XTRM-Q 16TB External Aluminum SSD
• Best budget: Samsung SSD T7, 500GB

External SSDs come in a variety of sizes and speeds and price typically goes up with higher capacity drives with faster read/write speeds. A 1TB or 2TB drive will probably be plenty of space for most photographers and will encourage you to get those files off of the SSD and onto a more archival format for long-term storage. Ultimately, having an SSD drive at your disposal as a photographer will help speed up your workflow and give you peace of mind that the images and videos stored on your SD cards are safely duplicated in an additional location.

Why trust us

PopPhoto has a long history of delivering the opinions of some of the sharpest and most prolific camera dorks the world has to offer. Since 1937, we’ve been reviewing cameras, providing wisdom from well-known photographers, and generally just nerding out about all that goes into making great pictures. Our current crop of writers and editors have decades of professional photography and camera writing experience among them. Collectively, we’ve probably shot with just about every camera and lens combo you can imagine—as well as some obscure stuff you may not even know about. Remember the Casio Tryx folding camera? PopPhoto does.

We also get that buying a camera is a big decision, which is why we’re dedicated to helping folks choose the right one (or, in our case “ones”) for their needs. Case in point: Handing over top dollar for an expensive rig may leave you unsatisfied if it doesn’t fit your preferred shooting style. Sure, a $6,000 sports-oriented DSLR can capture landscapes, but do you really need to do it at 30 frames-per-second? No, you don’t.

The post The best SSDs for 2023 appeared first on Popular Photography.

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Responsible photographers get to enjoy all kinds of benefits like the camaraderie of photo walks, the thrill of capturing a perfect shot, and the dopamine rush that comes with buying a new piece of gear. If you want to keep your work safe, however, you have to do a little bit of homework and that includes backing up your photos. March 31st marks World Backup Day. The day is meant to remind everyone to make sure all those photo and video files you have sitting around won’t be lost forever in the case of a failed hard drive or an errant venti latte spilled on your computer.

We know buying storage isn’t as exciting as unboxing a new camera or lens, but that’s what makes these World Backup Day sales so appealing. You can save cash on your important storage and leave room in the gear budget for that new mirrorless camera you’ve been eyeing or maybe a swanky new camera backpack to carry everything around in. Here are some of the best storage deals going around on World Backup Day 2023.

World Backup Day portable hard drive deals

SanDisk Extreme Portable 2TB USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C External SSD V2 $139.99 (was $472.99)

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For portable storage, the SanDisk Extreme Portable drives are some of the best around. THey offer an ideal balance of price, capacity, durability, and speed. The 1050MB/s read and 1000MB/s write speeds are fast enough to work directly off of the drive, which is ideal when you are traveling. They offer 2.6-foot drop protection and an IP55 dust and water resistance rating, so you can trust your files are safe even if you aren’t gentle with the drive. Two terabytes is an ideal amount of storage for backing up working files before they go on a more permanent drive, but they also come in 500GB, one terabyte, or four terabyte options, and all are on sale right now.

LaCie Rugged SSD 1TB Solid State Drive $159.99 (was $279.99)

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LaCie’s Rugged drives are some of the toughest around. They are IP67 rated, protected from 9.8-foot drops, and offer two-ton crush resistance. These things can handle about anything. The bright orange color makes them easy to see, which is especially useful if you take them on hiking trips and drop them somewhere. And the rubberized texture prevents it from slipping out of your hand or off of an airplane tray table. The LaCie Rugged SSD is also available in 500GB, two terabytes, or four terabytes, should you want a different capacity, though the four-terabyte option is not on sale right now.

More portable hard drive deals

SSD

• SanDisk E30 2TB USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C Portable External SSD $119.99 (was $269.99)
• SAMSUNG T7 Portable SSD 500GB $69.31 (was $94.99)
• Samsung T7 Shield 2TB USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C Portable External SSD, Beige $139.99 (was $289.99)
• SAMSUNG T7 Shield 1TB, Portable SSD $79.99 (was $159.99)
• SAMSUNG T7 2TB, Portable SSD $139.99 (was $269.99)
• WD _BLACK P40 2TB Game Drive USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 External SSD $179.99 (was $329.99)
• WD Elements SE 2TB Portable External SSD $109.99 (was $236.83)
• WD 2TB My Passport SSD Portable External Solid State Drive $137.99 (was $379.99)
• Crucial X6 4TB USB 3.1 Gen 2 Type-C Portable External SSD $229.99 (was $449.99)
• Crucial X8 2TB Portable SSD $129.99 (was $219.99)
• LaCie Rugged SSD 500GB Solid State Drive $128.97 (was $179.99)
• LaCie Portable 2TB USB 3.1 Gen 2 Type-C External SSD v2 $189.99 (was $349.99)
• SABRENT Rocket XTRM-Q 16TB External Aluminum SSD $1,999.99 (was $2,899.99)

HDD

• WD My Passport 2TB Portable USB 3.2 External Hard Drive, Black $67.99 (was $79.99)
• WD Elements 2TB USB 3.0 Portable External Hard Drive $61.99 (was $89.99)
• WD My Passport Ultra 2TB USB 3.0 Type-C External Hard Drive, Silver $79.99 (was $99.99)
• WD My Passport 5TB USB 3.2 Gen 1 External Hard Drive, Black $109.99 (was $169.99)
• LaCie Rugged Mini 4TB External Hard Drive Portable HDD $149.00 (was $159.99)
• LaCie 8TB Rugged RAID Shuttle USB-C & USB 3.0 All-Terrain Encrypted Drive $449.99 (was $529.99)
• Seagate Expansion 2TB USB 3.0 Portable External Hard Drive $56.99 (was $61.99)

World Backup Day desktop storage deals

SanDisk Professional G-RAID Shuttle 8-Bay Thunderbolt 3 RAID Array w/160TB HDD $6,699.99 (was $8,499.99)

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This storage is an investment, there’s no getting around it. It costs nearly as much as the 2000 Mazda Miata we bought recently. But, if you want serious amounts of in-house storage that is flexible in how you use it, you can’t beat SanDisk’s G-RAID Shuttle. It utilizes eight separate 20-terabyte drives and supports RAID 0, 1, 5, 6, 10, 50, and 60 configurations. It can also be daisy-chained to up to five devices. You can configure this in a way that makes sense for you and your files and because of the large size, you should be set for storage for quite some time. 

WD 18TB My Book Desktop External Hard Drive $299.99 (was $539.99)

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These Western Digital My Books are some of our favorite desktop drives. They are a fantastic option when you need lots of storage but don’t want anything fancy and don’t want to spend a fortune. They aren’t the fastest around, even compared to other HDDs, so you won’t want to work directly off of them. But, these large-capacity versions are an ideal choice for backing up your entire library at a much more affordable price than other drives. They come in a variety of capacities, but the biggest deal for World Backup day is the 18TB version. 

More external desktop drives on sale

• WD 8TB My Book Desktop External Hard Drive $159.99 (was $199.99)
• WD Elements 10TB USB 3.0 Desktop External Hard Drive $189.99 (was $279.99)
• WD Elements 16TB USB 3.0 Desktop External Hard Drive $269.99 (was $499.99)
• WD Elements 20TB USB 3.0 Desktop External Hard Drive $379.99 (was $549.99)
• WD 16TB My Cloud EX2 Ultra Network Attached Storage – NAS $499.99 (was $729.99)
• LaCie 1big Dock 18TB Thunderbolt 3 External Hard Drive $749.00 (was $849.00)
• LaCie 2big Dock Thunderbolt 3 v2 40TB HDD RAID Array with Data Recovery Services $1,699.00 (was $1,799.00)
• SanDisk Professional G-DRIVE PRO 12TB $520.69 (was $649.99)
• SanDisk Professional 20TB G-DRIVE PRO $753.10 (was $949.99)
• SanDisk Professional 24TB G-RAID Shuttle 4 – Enterprise-Class 4-Bay External Hard Drive $1,955.09 (was $2,099.99)
• Seagate One Touch Hub 16TB USB 3.0 Type-C External Desktop Hard Drive $329.99 (was $459.99)
• Seagate 8TB 3.5″ Expansion Desktop USB 3.0 External Hard Drive $134.99 (was $199.99)
• Synology 2 bay NAS DiskStation DS220j (Diskless), 2-bay; 512MB DDR4 $149.99 (was $189.99)

World Backup Day memory card deals

Though we don’t recommend memory cards for keeping your files backed up, they are something you can never really have too many of as a photographer or videographer. And sales happen just frequently enough that it makes sense to hold off on stocking up until you can find discounts, which is the case during World Backup Day sales.

Lexar Professional 2000x 128GB SDXC UHS-II Card $95.99 (was $169.99)

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CFexpress is on the rise, but most cameras still use SD or SDXC cards. This Lexar Professional option promises read speeds of 300 MB/s and 260MB/s write speeds. It’s capable of handling 8K video, making it a good choice for videographers as well as photographers. And it’s temperature-proof, shockproof, vibration-proof, and X-ray-proof, so you can trust it will hold up no matter what you through at it (almost).

Lexar Professional CFexpress Type B USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 Reader $37.59 (was $69.99)

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Having a fast memory card is only one piece of the puzzle for fast performance. You’ll also need a fast card reader if you want to transfer files to your computer quickly. This Lexar CFexpress Type B card reader offers up to 1700MB/s of read speed, meaning you won’t have to wait nearly as long to get files from your shoot transferred and ready to edit. That’s even true if you are working with 8K video.

More memory card deals

• Lexar Professional 80GB CFexpress Type A Gold Series Memory Card $135.99 (was $199.99)
• Lexar Professional 320GB CFexpress Type A Card Gold Series + Type A/SD USB 3.2 Gen 2 Reader $467.96 (was $699.99)
• Lexar Professional CFexpress 128GB Type-B Card $103.99 (was $149.99)
• PNY 256GB PRO Elite Class 10 U3 V30 microSDXC Flash Memory Card $16.98 (was $38.99)
• PNY 64GB Elite-X Class 10 U3 V30 microSDXC Flash Memory Card, 3 Count $15.99 (was $27.99)
• Lexar Professional 1066x 1TB SDXC UHS-I Card Silver Series $152.99 (was $219.99)
• Lexar Professional 1667x 128GB (2-Pack) SDXC UHS-II Cards $55.99 (was $87.99)
• Lexar Professional 3500x 64GB CFast 2.0 Card $59.99 (was $99.99)
• Lexar Professional Multi-Card 3-in-1 USB 3.1 Reader $15.99 (was $29.99)

The post Save up to 70 percent on external storage for World Backup Day appeared first on Popular Photography.

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Best overall		SanDisk 2TB Extreme PRO Portable SSD		SEE IT
Best rugged		LaCie Rugged 500GB		SEE IT
Best budget		WD 6TB My Book Desktop External Hard Drive		SEE IT

External hard drives are essential pieces of equipment for photographers and videographers looking to store, back up, or transfer their catalog of images. Unlike the internal hard drive that sits inside your computer or laptop, external hard drives are separate devices that connect to a computer or network via a specific interface.

External hard drives are typically classified as either a Hard Disk Drive (HDD) or a Solid State Drive (SSD). Despite having the same overall objective, HDDs and SSDs handle data in different ways. These differences create unique advantages and disadvantages for both types of drives, making the choice about which one is right for you more difficult.

In this article, we’ll provide some clarity on what to look for when shopping for external hard drives, including which features should be prioritized. We’ll also give specific examples of the best external hard drives for certain applications or uses.

• Best overall: SanDisk 2TB Extreme PRO Portable SSD
• Best rugged: LaCie Rugged 1TB SSD
• Best for creators: LaCie 2big RAID 8TB External Hard Drive
• Best compact: Kingston XS2000 1TB High Performance Portable SSD
• Best budget: WD 6TB My Book Desktop External Hard Drive

How we picked the best external drives

Having spent the last ten years reviewing computers, laptops, and other consumer tech, I’ve become very familiar with external hard drives, both HDDs and SSDs. When considering which external hard drive was best for a type of application or user setup, I used specific criteria.

Storage: Whether it’s for personal use or professional review, the first thing I always look at is the total amount of storage a particular external hard drive has. That number tells me what applications this drive is good for, as well as providing a baseline value of how the cost per gigabyte of storage.

Speed: Almost as important as storage capacity is how quickly an external drive can read and write files. Unlike storage, though, which is a fairly straightforward metric, the maximum rated speed of an external hard drive is dependent on several factors. You have to consider not only the underlying technology in the hard drive, including the drive type, but also the interface standard used to connect the drive to a computer and whether or not that computer supports the same technology. Rated speed is not always real-world speed, and that’s something you have to think about when evaluating an external drive.

Value: To determine the value of an external hard drive, I like to first start at a very basic level and see how much you’re paying per gigabyte of storage. Once I have that dollar amount, I then look at the other specs and supplemental features to see how they might increase the overall value.

Footprint: Although it’s not a test of performance, the size of an external drive does matter—especially when you’re considering applications. Many hard drive users, myself included, are very mobile and rely heavily on portable SSDs. Size tells me whether or not a drive can be easily transported. Likewise, a hulking desktop RAID array tells me that the drive isn’t meant for a smaller workspace.

The best external hard drives: Reviews & recommendations

Best overall: SanDisk 2TB Extreme PRO Portable SSD

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Specs

• Storage: 2TB
• Speed: 2,000 MB/s read, 2,000 MB/s write
• Interface: USB, USB-C 3.2 Gen 2X2

Pros

• Extremely fast read and write speeds
• Grippy texture prevents drops and slips
• Very durable
• Five-year warranty

Cons

• Full speeds aren’t available on most devices

The SanDisk 2TB Extreme PRO Portable SSD is that rare external drive that balances speed, size, storage, security, and aesthetics in a single device. Of its many positive traits, the standout is its transfer speed, which is rated up to 2,000MB/s. It’s fast enough that you can even edit photo and video files directly from the drive itself. 

Breakneck transfer speeds aside, the Extreme PRO’s compact design and plug-and-play interface make it both a breeze to transport and use. It’s also a standout in terms of security. It’s password protected with 256-bit AES hardware-based encryption. And coupled with the non-moving, non-volatile components inherent to all SSDs, your data will be safe from unwanted eyes and accidental falls.

For added protection, this SSD features IP55 dust and water resistance and drop-proofing up to six feet. And it has a silicone coating that offers a nice grip. It will keep your drive from sliding off an airplane tray table during turbulence. It’s also a tiny drive. It measures just 4.3 x 2.3 x 0.4 inches, so it’s easy to keep with you even when traveling.

Best rugged: LaCie Rugged 500GB SSD

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Specs

• Storage: 500GB
• Speed: 1050 MB/s read, 1050 MB/s MB/s write
• Interface: USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C

Pros

• Fast transfer speeds up to 1050 MB/s
• Rugged build stands up to virtually anything
• Self-encrypting technology safeguards all your private data
• USB cables included

Cons

• On the pricier side
• Not everyone loves bright orange

With fast transfer speeds and an indomitable design, the LaCie Rugged 500GB SSD is an excellent choice for on-the-go users who need the fastest transfer times in any environment. Thanks to its IP67-rated, bright-orange encasement, the Rugged SSD is resistant to water, dust, drops up to 9.8 feet, and has two tons of crush resistance. True story: I once tested the durability claims of the Rugged SSD by running it over with an SUV. It survived without so much as a dent.

Of course, the Rugged has a lot more going for it than sheer durability. Its remarkably fast transfer speeds are rated up to 1050 MB/s. These speeds make it ideal for working with large data files, such as 4K video. The Rugged’s 500GB of storage isn’t as large as some of the other SSDs on our list. But there are additional storage options available, all the way up to 2TB or 5TB in HDD format. Regardless of what storage capacity you choose, all your files will be secured using patented self-encrypting technology and a password system.

Best for creators: LaCie 2big RAID 8TB External Hard Drive

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Specs

• Storage: 8TB
• Speed: 550MB/s or 7,200rpm
• Interface: USB 3.1 (USB-C), Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C), USB 3.1 (USB-A), DisplayPort 1.2 (DisplayPort)

Pros

• Two hot-swappable 4TB drives deliver 8TB of total storage
• Supports RAID 0, 1, and JBODDual 7,200rpm platters
• Comes with five years of Rescue Data Recovery Services

Cons

• Fairly costly, even for a RAID

For anyone regularly working with massive data files and libraries, including videographers, photographers, and other content creators, the LaCie 2big RAID 8TB External Hard Drive is an ideal solution. With two hot-swappable 4TB drives spinning at 7,200rpm, the 2big RAID offers both the volume and potential transfer speeds professional workflows often require. 

Speaking of speed: The 2big RAID supports RAID 0 and 1 settings, allowing you to prioritize data redundancy (RAID 1) or high-speed transfers (RAID 0). When using RAID 0, both drives in the array are striped together, allowing each to work simultaneously, effectively doubling your transfer speeds.

Other standout features include the 2big RAID’s numerous connectivity options. These allow it to seamlessly interface with USB-C and USB 3.0 (USB-A) computers. Also included with the 2big RAID are five years of data recovery services. That can deliver tremendous peace of mind, especially if you’re someone working with voluminous amounts of data wanting to keep your catalog safe.

Best compact: Kingston XS2000 1TB High Performance Portable SSD

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Specs

• Storage: 1TB
• Speed: 2,000 MB/s read, 2,000 MB/s write
• Interface: 20 Gb/s USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 Type-C 

Pros

• Fast read and write speeds
• Extremely tiny form factor
• IP55 rating
• Also available in 2 and 4TB capacities

Cons

• No encryption

Though all portable SSDs are pretty small, this Kingston drive takes things to the next level. It measures just 2.7 x 1.3 x 0.5 inches. The compact size makes it exceptionally easy to keep with you for backing up or accessing your files. And despite the tiny size, it is available in capacities up to 4TB.

The XS2000 is also a highly durable drive. It includes a separate rubber sleeve that you can put on, providing an IP55 rating as well as shock absorbance. Unfortunately, there is no encryption, so you won’t be able to secure your files on the device.

The USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 interface results in speeds up to 2,000MB/s. It is fast enough to work directly off of and allows you to quickly back up your files and move on. And it’s more affordable than the other SSDs on our list. You’ll bget lots of storage for relatively little.

Best budget: WD 6TB My Book Desktop External Hard Drive

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Specs

• Storage: 6TB
• Speed: 5,400 rpm
• Interface: USB 3.0 / 3.1/3.2 Gen 1 (USB Micro-B)

Pros

• Massive storage equals unbeatable value
• Automatic backup software ensures your files never get lost
• 256-bit AES encryption keeps your private data private
• Made by Western Digital, one of the most trusted brands in the world

Cons

• Transfer speeds not as fast as an SSD
• Not portable

For those looking for an affordable way to back up all of their work, the WD My Book External Hard Drive offers a ton of storage and the best overall value. Though we’ve picked the 6TB version, you can also get up to 18TB of storage with the My Book. Or, you can get a RAID setup with up to a whopping 36TB of capacity.

The My Book is definitely a desktop drive. It needs to be plugged into a power outlet to function, so it’s not meant to be portable. Instead, think of it as a near-endless digital library that automatically backs up and stores all your files regardless of whether you’re working on a Windows or Mac computer.

All data stored on the WD 6TB My Book is password-protected using the drive’s 256-bit AES hardware encryption. This high level of security, combined with the renowned reliability of the WD brand, should give users peace of mind that their files are safe and secure.

Even more external hard drives to consider

SanDisk Professional G-RAID Shuttle 8-Bay Thunderbolt 3 RAID Array with 160TB (8x 20TB) Removable HDD

If you need serious storage capacity and backup options, this SanDisk RAID array is the way to go. It offers eight 20-terabyte hard drives for a total of 160 terabytes. It supports RAID 0, 1, 5, 6, 10, 50, and 60 configurations and can daisy chain to up to five additional devices. The G-RAID Shuttle promises 1690MB/s read and 1490MB/s write speeds, so you won’t be stuck waiting around on transfers. It’s expensive, but it allows for a customizable setup that fits your needs.

SAMSUNG T7 Shield Portable Solid State Drive

Another fantastic on-the-go option is Samsung’s T7 portable SSD. It features an IP65 rating, so you can worry less if you take this drive on adventures. The rubberized exterior helps to protect the devices from falls as high as 9.8 feet. And it’s fast 1,050 read and 1,000 MB/s write speeds mean that you can edit directly from the drive.

SABRENT Rocket XTRM-Q 16TB External Aluminum SSD

If you need massive storage in a more portable body, you can’t get any bigger than the Sabrent Rocket XTRM-Q. It offers up to 16 terabytes of storage in a paltry 4.5 x 2.56 x 0.68-inch body. It requires a power source, but the small size makes it much easier to keep on you when traveling, even with needing that power adapter. It also offers RAID functionality with four setup options, so you can customize the drive to your needs.

Things to consider before buying an external hard drive

When deciding which external hard drive is best for you, be sure to consider the following:

Storage

Storage capacity should be one of your top concerns when thinking about what you’ll be using this drive for. If, for example, you’re a videographer who regularly works with gigantic files, you need to find a drive that can support that amount of data. Likewise, if you’re just transferring a couple of projects to and from the office, something smaller, such as in the 500GB range, should do just fine.

Speed

Like storage, you should consider what your needs are in terms of speed. High transfer speeds can shave hours off workflows and projects, allowing you to do more in less time. And, if you need to work off of the drive directly, you’ll need fast speeds to ensure you aren’t stuck waiting for things to load.

Compatibility

One thing you want to make certain of is that the computer you plan on connecting the hard drive to supports the same underlying technologies. Your new drive might feature the latest and greatest tech in the world, but if the computer you plug it into doesn’t, then you won’t get the best performance possible.

Work environment

Is this external hard drive something you plan to take with you or something you’re going to set up in your home office? Knowing where you intend to use your new hard drive can help you narrow down the list between desktop and portable drives.

Type of drive

There are two primary drive types: Hard disk drive (HDD) or solid state drive (SSD). HDDs are the older technology and feature spinning platters that read and write data. These are more affordable, especially as you get into larger capacities. But, they are larger and are best not moved around much do to the moving parts inside. SSDs, on the other hand, store data to accessible memory chips. They are smaller, faster, quieter, and more stable. But, they are also more expensive. Because of the cost savings, we’d suggest an HDD for backing up your files and leaving on your desk, as you can get large capacities for relatively cheap. But, a portable SSD is an ideal choice for keeping your files backed up on the go or even for working directly from the drive when needed.

FAQs

Final thoughts on the best external hard drives

• Best overall: SanDisk 2TB Extreme PRO Portable SSD
• Best rugged: LaCie Rugged 1TB SSD
• Best for creators: LaCie 2big RAID 8TB External Hard Drive
• Best compact: Kingston XS2000 1TB High Performance Portable SSD
• Best budget: WD 6TB My Book Desktop External Hard Drive

The best external drive somewhat depends on how you intend to use it. But, in general, a good drive offers plenty of storage, fast speeds, and reliability. Portable SSDs are the best option for photographers on the go, while a more affordable desktop HDD is the way to go for library backups. One of each is usually the best method for keeping your files secure and easily accessible.

Why trust us

PopPhoto has a long history of delivering the opinions of some of the sharpest and most prolific camera dorks the world has to offer. Since 1937, we’ve been reviewing cameras, providing wisdom from well-known photographers, and generally just nerding out about all that goes into making great pictures. Our current crop of writers and editors have decades of professional photography and camera writing experience among them. Collectively, we’ve probably shot with just about every camera and lens combo you can imagine—as well as some obscure stuff you may not even know about. Remember the Casio Tryx folding camera? PopPhoto does.

We also get that buying a camera is a big decision, which is why we’re dedicated to helping folks choose the right one (or, in our case “ones”) for their needs. Case in point: Handing over top dollar for an expensive rig may leave you unsatisfied if it doesn’t fit your preferred shooting style. Sure, a $6,000 sports-oriented DSLR can capture landscapes, but do you really need to do it at 30 frames-per-second? No, you don’t.

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Hard drives and memory cards are a bit like candy to us photographers. They are great to always have on hand, and keeping a stash of them is never a bad idea. And it’s not uncommon for us to buy some storage devices even when we don’t really need them at that moment. 

Black Friday is probably the best time to stock up on hard drives and memory cards. You’ll find steep discounts across brands, product types, and storage amounts. We’ve scoured Amazon to find the best deals so you can take advantage of the savings. Whether you are buying for yourself or getting some gifts for photographers, you’re sure to find something in the list below.

Lexar Professional CFexpress 128GB Type-B Card $108.99 (was $199.99)

CFexpress cards are becoming more common in new camera releases. That’s because they are faster and offer larger storage capacities than alternative memory card types. But, as a result of that, they are also the most expensive storage media. Luckily, this Lexar CFexpress Type-B is $189 off during Black Friday. It provides 128GB of storage with 1750MB/s read speeds and 1000MB/s write speeds.

SanDisk 2TB Extreme Portable SSD $149.99 (was $459.99)

Having oodles of hard drive space is another essential for photographers. We love these SanDisk Extreme Portable SSDs as a portable solution because they are tiny yet extremely durable. They are also fast enough that you can work on photos directly from the drive if you need to, which is very convenient.

Lexar hard drives and memory cards Black Friday deals:

• Lexar Professional 512GB CFexpress Type B Memory Card $479.94 (was $599.99) 
• Lexar Professional 1667x 128GB SDXC UHS-II Card $29.99 (was $49.99)
• Lexar Professional 1667x 64GB (2-Pack) SDXC UHS-II Cards $42.49 (was $64.99)
• Lexar Professional 2000x 32GB SDHC UHS-II Card $36.99 (was $54.99)
• Lexar Professional 2000x 128GB SDXC UHS-II Card $151.04 (was $189.99)
• Lexar Professional 1066x 512GB microSDXC UHS-I Card w/ SD Adapter SILVER Series $67.51 (was $129.99)
• Lexar Professional 1066x 256GB MicroSDXC UHS-I Card with SD Adapter SILVER Series $27.49 (was $59.99)
• Lexar High-Performance 633x 128GB microSDXC UHS-I Card with SD Adapter $13.99 (was $23.99)
• Lexar Professional 1066x 32GB VPG-65 CompactFlash card $29.99 (was $49.99)
• Lexar Professional 3500x 64GB CFast 2.0 Card $74.99 (was $119.99)
• Lexar Professional CFexpress Type A / SD USB 3.2 Gen 2 Reader $67.61 (was $79.99)
• Lexar Professional USB 3.2 Type-C Dual-Slot Reader $20.99 (was $29.99)
• Lexar SL660 Blaze 1TB Gaming Portable External SSD $125.26 (was $199.99)

PNY hard drives and memory cards Black Friday deals:

• PNY 128GB EliteX-PRO90 Class 10 U3 V90 UHS-II SDXC $103.16 (was $129.99)
• PNY 1TB PRO Elite Class 10 U3 V30 SDXC Flash Memory Card $169.99 (was $219.99)
• PNY 256GB Elite-X Class 10 U3 V30 SDXC Flash Memory Card $28.99 (was $41.99)
• PNY 512GB PRO Elite Class 10 U3 V30 SDXC $67.99 (was $71.36)
• PNY 256GB Elite-X Class 10 U3 V30 microSDXC $33.10 (was $42.99)
• PNY 32GB Elite Class 10 U1 V10 SDHC Flash Memory Card 5-Pack $22.99 (was $27.99)
• PNY 32GB Elite Class 10 U1 microSDHC Flash Memory Card 5-Pack $19.99 (was $24.99)
• PNY 128GB Premier-X Class 10 U3 V30 microSDXC Flash Memory Card 2-Pack $22.94 (was $27.99)
• PNY 128GB EliteX-PRO60 UHS-II SDXC Memory Card $27.63 (was $32.99)
• PNY 32GB Elite Class 10 U1 microSDHC Flash Memory Card 3-Pack $14.79 (was $17.99)
• PNY 64GB Premier-X Class 10 U3 V30 microSDXC Flash Memory Card 5 $25.49 (was $29.99)
• PNY EliteX-PRO 1TB USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 Type-C Portable Solid State Drive $92.99 (was $134.99)
• PNY EliteX-PRO 4TB USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 Type-C Portable Solid State Drive  $399.99 (was $639.99)
• PNY Pro Elite V2 1TB USB 3.2 Gen 2×1 Type-C Portable Solid State Drive $84.99 (was $114.99)

Western Digital hard drives and memory cards Black Friday deals:

• WD 2TB My Passport SSD Portable External Solid State Drive $149.99 (was $379.99)
• WD 500GB My Passport SSD Portable External Solid State Drive $79.99 (was $119.99)
• WD 2TB Elements SE – Portable SSD $112.99 (was $249.99)
• SanDisk 1TB Extreme microSDXC UHS-I Memory Card with Adapter $127.99 (was $219.99)
• SanDisk 400GB Ultra microSDXC UHS-I Memory Card with Adapter $30.99 (was $69.99)
• SanDisk 512GB Extreme PRO SDXC UHS-I Memory Card $87.99 (was $139.99)
• SanDisk 128GB Extreme PRO CompactFlash Memory Card $79.99 (was $100.78)
• SanDisk 64GB Extreme PRO Compact Flash Memory Card $51.99 (was $64.99)
• SanDisk 256GB Extreme PRO SDXC UHS-I Memory Card $42.39 (was $62.49)
• SanDisk 256GB Ultra microSDXC UHS-I Memory Card with Adapter $19.99 (was $32.99)
• WD 20TB Elements Desktop External Hard Drive $329.99 (was $479.99) 
• SanDisk 1TB Ultra microSDXC UHS-I Memory Card with Adapter $99.99 (was $136.99) 
• SanDisk 512GB Ultra microSDXC UHS-I Memory Card with Adapter $39.99 (was $59.99)
• SanDisk 128GB Extreme PRO SDXC UHS-I Memory Card $23.99 (was $33.49)
• SanDisk 500GB Extreme Portable SSD $81.99 (was $149.99)
• WD 16TB Elements Desktop External Hard Drive $239.99 (was $449.99)
• WD 2TB My Passport SSD Portable External Solid State Drive $149.99 (was $379.99)
• SanDisk 2TB Extreme PRO Portable SSD $219.99 (was $509.99)
• SanDisk 4TB Extreme Portable SSD $299.99 (was $699.99)
• SanDisk 512GB Extreme microSDXC UHS-I Memory Card with Adapter $57.99 (was $108.99)
• SanDisk 512GB Extreme PRO CFexpress Card Type B $379.99 (was $599.99)

Prograde memory card Black Friday deals:

• Prograde Digital SD UHS-II 256GB Card V60 $78.74 (was $104.99)
• Prograde Digital SD UHS-II 128GB Card V60 $41.24 (was $54.99)
• SD UHS-II Dual-Slot Memory Card Reader $67.99 (was $79.99)
• ProGrade Digital SDXC UHS-II V90 300R Memory Card (128GB) $108.74 (was $144.99)
• ProGrade Digital SDXC UHS-II V90 300R Memory Card (256GB) $202.49 (was $269.99)
• ProGrade Digital CFexpress Type B and SD UHS-II Dual-Slot Memory Card Reader $67.99 (was $79.99)
• ProGrade Digital CFexpress Type-B & XQD Single-Slot Memory Card Reader $110.49 (was $129.99)
• ProGrade Digital CFast and SD UHS-II Dual-Slot Memory Card Reader $67.99 (was $79.99)
• ProGrade Digital microSD UHS-II Dual-Slot Memory Card Reader $67.99 (was $79.99)

The post The best Black Friday deals on hard drives and memory cards appeared first on Popular Photography.

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SanDisk’s Extreme Portable SSDs are some of my favorite storage devices. And right now, they are on sale for cheaper than I’ve ever seen them before. You can snag a one-terabyte version for only $99, which is $150 off. The other capacities are also on sale if you want something larger or smaller. It’s a fantastic time to stock up on portable drives or to get a very practical gift for a photographer.

SanDisk 1TB Extreme Portable SSD $99.99 (was $249.99)

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There’s a lot to love about the SanDisk Extreme Portable SSDs. They are tiny and light so they’re simple to chuck into a camera bag or laptop sleeve. They are durable, so you can trust they will keep your files safe even with some abuse. They offer some large storage capacities if you want to be able to store lots of photos or some big videos. And they are fast. You can even edit right off of them to keep your computer’s built-in drive clear. I like to keep shoots that I still need to edit on one of these so that I quickly and easily access them when it’s time to edit, even if I happen to be away from my desktop hard drive. This 1TB version is an ideal capacity for temporary storage and backup, as it isn’t so large that you will risk losing an excessive amount if something happens to the drive.

Additional storage capacity deals:

• SanDisk 500GB Extreme Portable SSD $94.00 (was $149.99)
• SanDisk 2TB Extreme Portable SSD $169.99 (was $459.99)
• SanDisk 4TB Extreme Portable SSD $379.99 (was $699.99)

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Hard drive storage space is a constant battle for many photographers. Drives seem to fill up far too quickly, leaving us scrambling to find a way to keep things backed up and safely stored. And while hard drives have become more affordable over the years, large storage solutions that work well for backup purposes and compact SSDs are still pricey purchases. Luckily, there are some excellent deals still to be had during the Prime Early Access sale. The bigger deals are wrapping up, though, so don’t wait to expand your storage capacity.

SanDisk 1TB Extreme PRO Portable SSD $169.99 ( was $309.99)

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Solid state drives (SSD) are the most reliable form of hard drive you can buy. There aren’t moving parts inside to get knocked around, so there is less chance of failure over time. That’s also why SSD is the preferred format for portable hard drives; they can take a lot more jostling than traditional hard drives. The SanDisk Extreme PRO Portable SSD line is one of my favorites to always have on hand. Despite the larger storage capacity–one terabyte in this case–they are tiny little drives. I like to keep files I haven’t had a chance to edit yet backed up on one of these little ones and keep it with me when I travel. It allows me to keep my files safer and makes it more convenient to grab things I need to edit when I have time. They are fast, reliable, and durable. They provide 2-meter drop protection and IP55 water and dust resistance, meaning you don’t have to baby the thing if you have it with you on an adventure.

Seagate One Touch Hub 20TB External Hard Drive Desktop HDD $419.99 (was $579.99)

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While portable hard drives are nice to have to keep things handy when out and about, large-capacity desktop drives are a must for keeping your library of work backed up. This monster of an HDD (hard disk drive) has 20 terabytes of storage, which should be able to back up entire portfolios for most photographers. It even has a front-facing USB C and USB 3.0 port for charging devices, which is a handy feature for something that will most likely live on your desk full-time. And it offers password protection to keep your files secure.

Portable hard drive deals:

• WD 5TB My Passport for Mac $124.99 (was $159.99)
• SanDisk 4TB Extreme Portable SSD $299.99 (was $699.99)
• WD 1TB My Passport Portable External Hard Drive $52.99 (was $59.99)
• WD 5TB My Passport Portable External Hard Drive $105.99 (was $149.99)
• Toshiba Canvio Flex 2TB Portable External Hard Drive $57.99 (was $74.99)
• Toshiba Canvio Advance 1TB Portable External Hard Drive $44.19 (was $52.99)
• SAMSUNG T7 Shield 2TB $170.99 (was $289.99)
• WD_BLACK 5TB P10 Game Drive – Portable External Hard Drive HDD $99.99 (was $149.99)
• SanDisk 2TB Extreme Portable SSD $159.99 (was $459.99)
• SanDisk 4TB Extreme PRO Portable SSD $579.62 (was $899.99)
• WD 2TB Elements SE – Portable SSD $129.99 (was $249.99)
• SAMSUNG T7 Touch Portable SSD 500GB $69.99 (was $104.99)

Desktop storage deals:

• Synology 5-bay DiskStation DS1522+ (Diskless) $559.99 (was $699.99)
• WD 6TB Elements Desktop External Hard Drive & 4TB My Passport Portable External Hard Drive $219.98 (was $309.98)
• WD 16TB Elements Desktop External Hard Drive $239.99 (was $449.99)
• WD 16TB Elements Desktop External Hard Drive $239.99 (was $449.99)
• SanDisk Professional 12TB G-DRIVE PRO – Enterprise-Class Desktop Hard Drive $549.99 (was $649.99)
• WD 16TB My Book Duo Desktop RAID External Hard Drive $369.99 (was $599.99)
• Seagate Expansion 16TB External Hard Drive HDD $249.99 (was $332.57)
• Seagate Desktop 8TB External Hard Drive HDD $149.99 (was $199.99)
• Synology 2 bay NAS DiskStation DS220j (Diskless), 2-bay; 512MB DDR4 $149.99 (was $219.99)

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Western Digital has announced the My Passport Pro, a petite, Thunderbolt powered, dual-drive system, capable of being set up for either RAID 0 or RAID 1, depending on your need for more space or more stability. Billed as the “first Thunderbolt-powered portable dual-drive“, it requires no extra cords or cables, with just a single Thunderbolt port for connectivity and power. But, since it’s Thunderbolt only, that means it’s Mac only, too.

The My Passport Pro comes with an integrated Thunderbolt cable that wraps around the body when not in use, making it an entirely self-contained unit. It’s available in both 2TB and 4TB capacities, and is capable of speeds up to 233 MB/s and 230 MB/s respectively. With its dual-drive setup, the My Passport Pro can be either setup for RAID 0 (data striping) for high speed, or RAID 1 (mirroring) to keep a constant backup. So you can opt for either faster performance, or data redundancy in case one of the drives suffers a problem.

The drive is available through Apple stores, Western Digital, and the usual electronic outlets. The 2TB version will set you back $299.99, and the 4TB $429.99

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As your digital image collection grows, the storage space needed to keep it grows alongside. Now the folks at LaCie have announced their largest drive yet, clocking in at a whopping 5TB for the Thunderbolt series of drives.

Available with the LaCie d2 (single drive, $449 for 5TB), LaCie 2big (two disks, $899 for 10TB), or the LaCie 5big (five disks, $2,499 for 25TB), LaCie is calling the 5TB drive an “industry first”, saying

The drives can reach read speeds of up to 785MB/s with the 5big model, though the other two are slightly more limited, with the d2 hitting 215MB/s and the 2big version reaching 327MB/s. The drives are also capable of daisy chaining with other thunderbolt units for additional storage.

While many photographers will probably not need quite this much storage, if you’re a professional working primarily with raw format and large files (say, medium format) or huge amounts of photos (wedding photographers), the extra space will doubtless be needed. And 25TB should be enough to handle even the biggest files you can throw at it.

The post New Gear: LaCie Hits 5TB Milestone for External Hard Drives appeared first on Popular Photography.

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