Portable Hard Drives

What is a portable hard drive?

A portable hard drive (HDD) is a permanent computer storage device that plugs into your computer via a port. Portable HDDs are a great solution for users who need to expand their internal computer storage whilst prioritising flexibility and data transfer on the go. Portable hard disk drives are also a great choice for those who don't have much knowledge of PC builds and are looking for a plug-and-play solution for expanding their computer capacity. HDD portable hard drives are available in a range of sizes, from 2TB to 6TB - with modern drives featuring lightweight, compact designs.

What size portable hard drive do I need?

Which size, or capacity, of portable hard disk drive is best for you will depend on what you intend to use your portable hard drive for. These are our recommendations but bear in mind the kinds of file sizes you're working with.

Under 2TB:

• Great for students, casual everyday users or professionals primarily working with word processing files.
• Suitable for smaller media libraries or photo libraries.
• Good for those on a budget looking for a cost-effective solution.

2TB - 10TB:

• Suitable for professionals, content creators or gamers working with larger RAW files, such as high-resolution images, videos or game libraries.
• Ample space for various projects, backup files and archives.
• Mid-range price bracket for users looking for more capacity.

Over 10TB:

• Designed for users requiring vast storage capacity.
• Ideal for video production, extensive AAA title gaming libraries, or businesses requiring large-scale data backups.
• Ample storage for enterprise-level data requirements or NAS.

How long will a portable external hard drive last?

The longevity of a portable hard drive will depend on usage and how well you take care of your device. On average with moderate use, a portable hard drive should last anywhere between 3-5 years - longer with light use. You can extend the lifespan of your hard drive by ensuring it doesn't become damaged. If you have a particularly lightweight or compact HDD, it might be a good idea to invest in a travel case if you plan on using it on the go.

What are the disadvantages of portable external hard drives?

In general portable HDDs are a fantastic option for most users looking to expand the storage capacity of their laptop. However, they do have a couple of disadvantages and you'll want to carefully consider whether an internal HDD might be better suited to you.

Damage due to portability
Sitting outside the computer casing, portable HDDs are susceptible to more damage from general wear and tear - especially if you are travelling frequently with your hard drive. Consider buying a laptop bag or travel case for your device or expanding your internal storage too.

Slightly slower data transfer speeds
Due to the additional connection point via either a USB-A or USB-C port, data transfer speeds can be slightly slower than other types of storage. If you're looking for portability but need to prioritise exceptionally fast data transfer, consider a portable SSD instead.

How do I back up my data using a portable external hard drive?

Backing up your data using a portable HDD is easy, quick and reliable. Follow these simple steps regularly to ensure your data is safe.

• Connect your hard drive to your computer via the USB or USB-C cable.

• Open File Explorer (Windows) or Finder (Mac).

• Locate your external hard drive under 'This PC' (Windows) or 'Devices' (Mac). Renaming your hard drive to something easily recognisable is also a good idea.

• Either drag and drop the files/folders you want to back up to your hard drive or use a backup software like File History (Windows) or Time Machine (Mac).

• Eject your HDD by right-clicking on the external drive and selecting Eject.

• Disconnect the cable and store your drive in a safe place.

Portable hard drive FAQs

Is there a difference between an external hard drive and a portable hard drive?

Yes, both store data externally but portable hard drives are specifically designed to be lightweight, compact and easy to transport. Portable HDDs are smaller, lighter, and usually powered via USB, meaning they don't need an external power source. External hard drives, on the other hand, can include larger desktop models that may require an external power supply due to higher storage capacities.

Which is better, a Seagate portable drive or expansion drive?

Both are great options, but are designed for slightly different use cases:

• Seagate Portable Drive: These are compact and designed for everyday file storage and transport. Ideal for personal use.
• Seagate Expansion Drive: These usually offer higher capacity and are better for large backups or desktop storage. Some models require an external power source.

Which is better SSD or HDD portable drives?

It depends on your use case and what kinds of files you're looking to store. On the whole, SSDs are faster and more durable, making them a great option for users looking to improve their device speeds and performance - however, they are more expensive per GB of capacity. HDDs are more affordable with larger capacities for cheaper prices, although they tend to be slower and less durable. This makes HDDs a great choice for bulk storage or archiving files that you don't need frequent access to.

Why buy from ebuyer?

Buying your new portable hard drive from ebuyer is a safe and reliable choice. With a huge range of portable HDDs to choose from, we offer fast and secure delivery options, and flexible payment options - supporting thousands of happy customers with their new tech.

• Fast delivery 
• Secure and safe delivery of computer parts
• Excellent customer reviews
• Flexible payment options